Spotlight on… winter lay-up
CARAVAN GENIUS
Preparing your van for storage involves a few key tasks, says Sammy Faircloth
THE COLD, DARK evenings are not for everyone, and some of us like nothing better than to snuggle up at home in front of the fire.
Nothing wrong with that, but it is advisable to carry out some simple jobs before storing your caravan for the winter, or you could find it costing you when you return to it next spring.
Indoor tasks
› Cleaning
It would be remiss to leave any caravan in a mucky state, so give it a thorough clean before putting it away. Be very careful about which products you use on plastic fixtures and fittings.
Avoid household bleaches: these will damage the plastic. Products such as Thetford Bathroom Cleaner can be used not only in the bathroom, but also inside the fridge.
Alternatively, you could make up a solution of one teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda in half a litre of warm water.
As a precaution, I take out removable carpets, cushions and upholstery, because these can get damp in colder months.
Sammy Faircloth has caravanning in her blood – she grew up in a caravanning family, and travels extensively across the UK and further afield in her van whenever she gets the opportunity