Stay at home orders and basic guidelines for social distancing may be a new way of life for a while, but that doesn’t mean there’s still not plenty of means to take advantage of your Newmar coach. In fact, we may even argue that social distancing in your Newmar is one of the better ways to do it.
Even if you’re minimizing contact with the outside world, there are some best practices you can take for keeping your coach clean and disinfected—and keeping everyone inside healthy and happy.
These tips come from our experts at the Newmar Service Center. As always, you can find more information and links to even more helpful advice at Newgle, our knowledgebase for all things Newmar.
The inside of your Newmar contains a variety of different surfaces: wood, glass, tile, fabrics, stainless steel—and more. All purpose cleaners are a good, broad option but they may not work as effectively on each surface. There is also no one product that works on all surfaces inside your coach. Before using a product, test it on a small and inconspicuous area.
This is ideally a two-step process. First, there’s cleaning, which is the removal of germs from surfaces. Second is disinfection, which kills any germs left behind after cleaning. Start by using warm water to clean all high-touch surfaces. These include:
Soft items can be tossed in the laundry. Check product manufacturer tags for their highest recommended wash and dry temperature settings. If these items can’t be removed to put in a washer, steam cleaners and carpet cleaners are a great alternative. These items may include:
After cleaning, use a disinfecting product on those surfaces to kill additional germs. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists a number of household disinfectants that are suitable for COVID-19 and other germs. Always use any product according to instructions. Disinfecting wipes are also a good alternative. In any case, always use gloves and allow for proper ventilation when using a disinfectant.
If you don’t have—or can’t find—disinfecting products, you can use a bleach solution. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a solution of 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water, or four teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. When using a bleach solution, always use gloves. Additional protective gear, like safety glasses, won’t hurt either.
Part of being in the great outdoors means actually getting outside. Fortunately, it’s easy to disinfect the outside of your coach and stay safe—whether you’re at a campground or boondocking off the grid.
When you arrive at a new campsite, disinfect any connections or hookups you’ll use. Use latex gloves for additional protection. When you’re done, immediately throw the gloves away.
Then clean and disinfect any items you’ll have outside—things like patio furniture, railings, grill handles, and other high-touch surfaces.
Maintain a safe distance from other campers (the CDC recommends six feet). And avoid public restrooms, water fountains, and other public areas if at all possible.
With so many products and surface types in your Newmar coach, the best way to ensure the products you’re using to disinfect are safe is to check care and maintenance directions provided by each manufacturer. These can be found in your manufacturers’ owners guides or online. These guidelines should help you stay safe and healthy while you’re still enjoying your Newmar.