Even The Simple Things - The Joys Of Simple Green Cleaner

It's Cold In Here, But Getting Cleaner!

    Last week I began to "get a jump" on cleaning the RV for next season. Since I despise cleaning so much, I figured it would be easier to do it in tiny stages so there wouldn't be a marathon cleaning event before my first trip in the Spring. This week, I began cleaning all the surfaces that don't get too much attention during the rest of the year. You know the ones I'm talking about, the fridge doors and handles, the area around the sink faucets, behind the toilet and a whole lot of others. You could use a bunch of different cleaning products for each one, but since I am storage "challenged," I wanted one that could do it all and take up very little space. Does that even exist? It sure does. While there are quite a few of these cleaners available, I prefer Simple Green...

Here Is The Tiny Bottle Of Concentrate

First off, I like the name. It has the word "Simple" right in it. Green...well..I don't know how I feel about that. It can be purchased as a ready to use liquid or in my case and preference, a concentrate that is mixed with water (in various concentrations) to use. I really like multi-pupose items for the RV. They take up less space and can be used for a multitude of purposes so you don't have to remember what to use for a particular job. I would list them (and their concentrations) here, but it would be a VERY long list. [Take a look at: http://simplegreen.com/industrial/cleaning-uses/ for ideas] I've used it on everything from engine degreasing to plastic surface cleaning. It works on windows (150:1 with water!) and on carpets as a spot cleaner (test on a non-conspicuous area first! 1:1) AND it's biodegradable.

Yes, I say this a lot, but if I can simplify my life, especially when cleaning comes into play, I will do it without hesitation. This stuff works. I know there are a few other "famous" cleaners out there that are similar. Some are even available at dollar stores very cheaply. That being said, I have been using this stuff for many years. I first came across it when trying to detail some cars and needed something stronger to get the wheels clean. It worked pretty well on that. Then I read an article about the other uses and never went back! Just get a spray bottle and pre-mix what you use. Use a bucket for bigger jobs. Easy.

Try it out....it works. It really does. Oh, and by the way. I do not receive any compensation from ANY of the products or services contained in the articles I write. (OK, so I've only been asked once to review a product and since I never received the item, I didn't write that article) I will tell you if I try something and it DOESN'T work...I promise!

Be Seeing You...Down The Road,

Rich "The Wanderman"
www.thewanderman.com

Editor: Here's the Amazon link for Simple Green products. 

Even The Simple Things - Stainless Steel Sink Easy Cleaning

   Since it's so cold outside and the RV is, essentially, not going anywhere soon, I've decided to do some additional pre-season cleaning. I mean, the heat works great, why not use it! This time I was going to get stuck cleaning, in this case, my lavatory sink. It's a nice stainless steel one, but it had lots of stuff stuck to it -- mostly toothpaste, shaving cream, soap scum and general dirt from hand washing and the like. I don't like to use harsh cleansers in the RV as they end up in the pipes and tanks, so how can you get it clean without resorting to using them anyway? Read on!

White vinegar has been used for cleaning (and about a million other things) for hundreds of years. It works on many levels, disinfectant, natural cleanser, and it will not harm your plastic water pipes. In addition, I have found that it can do some real good removing soap scum and residue from the inside of your tanks. Now here is a neat trick. Take some baking soda and use it on a damp sponge to clean the sink THEN wash/rinse with white vinegar. It will fizz and crackle a bit. That's OK. Now rinse down with fresh water and wipe it dry. Voila! Completely clean. Next time I clean, I will tackle the stainless steel double basin kitchen sink.

For an extra special gleam use a very small amount of flour on your sponge and polish the stainless steel. Wipe it away with a damp soft cloth and you will be amazed at the shine! NEVER use steel wool to clean your sink! It will leave behind scratches and iron bits that will rust and discolor your sink. I try and wipe out the sink with a damp washcloth after each use, but I'm pretty sure I do a miserable job. It's either early in the morning, usually pre-coffee, or late at night and I'm already sleepy. OK...perhaps I'm a bit lazy as well...


Anything I can do to make cleaning anything at all less work (or no work at all!) is a good thing in my book. I'm going to look into white vinegar as an all-purpose liquid some more. I'll bet there are lots of things it can be used for that I don't know about.

Be Seeing You...Down The Road,

Rich "The Wanderman"
www.thewanderman.com

Gray Days, Winter Looms - Now What?

Sad, Huh?

    To be an RV'er in the Northeast when it's Winter is a real bummer. Some of you reading this get to laugh at my predicament, but others share my pain. Last night, we got a small-ish 6-inch accumulation of snow. My RV, which of course I haven't gotten around to covering yet, was completely covered in snow. Sad, very sad. Thankfully, as I sit and write this, the snow is almost completely melted and gone. More is forecast, of course, but for now, all is good. Been 26 degrees overnight the last few nights without any respite in sight. I can only dream of my first spring trip. Over the last few years, I have written quite a few articles about RV's and winter blues. There was even the one where I lived in my comfortable heated RV for a bit during a fierce storm. Mostly, I plan during the winter.

Even Sadder, Huh?

Whether it's modifications or improvement projects or just researching cool places to go...there is always something I can do to keep me in the "RV mood." My window shows me a great view of my parked RV. I find myself staring at it sometimes, wondering what the next season will bring. It's always a bit depressing to see it covered in snow, through that same window. At least I had it covered that time (unlike last week!). Lots of folks have differing opinions on covering their RVs. I Like to cover it when the weather gets really nasty to keep the snow and ice from getting on the roof. I'll get over it! I've had some of my best ideas staring out that window at the RV.

So now what? Let the weather get you down or get positive and plan for further adventures. I will go with the latter. Heck, I'll do one better. I'll ask you, the reader, to make suggestions for projects, improvements, repairs, new gadgets and gizmos and trip planning. If you want to try it...but want someone else to look at it first or figure out how to make it happen, all you need to do is ask! Yes, that's right...jot down your favorite ideas for projects (all seasons, winter, spring, summer or fall) and send them to me via the comments below. I'll get right on them and we'll see what develops.

Be Seeing You...Down The Road...

Rich "The Wanderman"
www.thewanderman.com