Setting off on a caravanning adventure in Western Australia is a great way to experience the arid Outback landscape, the vast wilderness of the Kimberley region and the breathtaking western coast.
The whole point of caravanning in your new caravan is to visit remote destinations while still enjoying the essential luxuries and comforts of home. But, if you are going to make a caravan your home for a few days or weeks, you want it to be cosy, clean and tidy.
Maintaining cleanliness in a more confined space of a caravan can be tricky, especially when you’re sharing the space with other people. So, try these tips for keeping your caravan germ-free so you can enjoy a clean and healthy road trip.
Bring a travel hygiene kit
A carry-on hygiene kit or toiletry bag is must-have whether you are going on a short trip or long journey by caravan. Ironically, this is one of the most important things you can easily forget when packing your luggage. So, put it at the top of your checklist.
Hygiene kits come in many shapes and sizes, but they all contain essential personal effects, grooming and cleaning items, which should include:
- Hand sanitiser
- Antiseptic face wipes
- Soap and shampoo
- Toothbrush, dental floss, mouthwash and toothpaste
- Sunscreen and moisturiser
- Deodorant or antiperspirant
- Hair combs and brushes
- Shaving products
Ideally, you should have one toiletry bag for each passenger, but one can suffice if it has plenty of supplies to go around. For your drive across Western Australia, you may also need bug repellents and a first aid kit just to be safe in some of the remote places.
Maintain personal hygiene
Remember to observe personal hygiene, even when on the road. Take some time each day to clean and groom yourself by taking a shower, brushing your teeth and changing clothes. The last thing you would want is bad body odour or bad breath.
Understandably, taking a full shower and changing outfits every day on a caravan excursion may be a bit of a stretch, especially if you packed light. So, borrow a leaf from the campers’ handbook on personal hygiene – wipe your body with a damp towel if the water supply is limited and air out your dirty laundry at night if you do not get a chance to wash them.
Whenever possible, refill your caravan’s water tank with freshwater and do the proper washing. Also, dress appropriately for the hot weather to minimise the need to freshen up so often.
More importantly, sanitise or wash your hands with soap and water regularly to keep away infectious germs.
Keep a spotless interior
The interior of a caravan is more like a house than a vehicle, so clean your caravan the same way you would clean your home. Vacuum the carpets, wipe down surfaces and scrub the floor and bathroom regularly. Also, wash or change sheets and covers whenever they get dusty, stained or overused.
Besides cleaning, also disinfect common contact surfaces such as door handles, the steering wheel and dashboard, appliances, buttons and toilet seats with antiseptic cleaning solutions.
Keep the caravan’s windows open as much as possible to let in the fresh air or turn on the AC system if your vehicle has one. A stuffy environment can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, mould and fungi. Good air circulation prevents that from happening and also drives out stale odours.
Maintaining your caravan
Maintaining a clean interior and observing high standards of personal hygiene are key to ensuring a germ-free caravan. Coming down with the flu or severe infection when caravanning in the middle of Australia’s wilderness would not only inconvenience you but could also be life-threatening. Getting emergency medical attention in remote areas is sometimes nearly impossible.
The best thing you can do to avoid falling ill in any situation is to keep your immediate surroundings clean and sterile. On a side note, make sure you are up-to-date with your vaccinations or meds before taking a long trip to remote destinations. And it is always the right call to postpone a long journey if you feel even slightly under the weather.
