Cleaning plastic windows on a caravan without scratching: how to do it safely
Transparent plastic windows on a caravan, motorhome or folding camper can be cleaned without scratching — but only if you use a cleaner made specifically for plastic. Use the wrong product or the wrong cloth, and you'll end up with scratches or a dull haze. On this page you'll find a step-by-step guide covering everything you need and which mistakes are best avoided.
What do you need?
Make sure you have the following to hand before you start:
- Clear Plastic Cleaner & Protector by Ultramar
- Two soft microfibre cloths (one for cleaning, one for buffing)
- Clean water and a bucket if needed
- A sheltered spot out of direct sunlight
Do not use abrasive sponges, coarse cloths or kitchen paper. Even with minimal pressure, these will quickly leave tiny scratches in the plastic. Regular washing-up liquid or multi-purpose cleaners are also unsuitable: they leave behind a thin film or gradually degrade the plastic over time.
How do you clean the plastic windows on your caravan or folding camper?
Follow these steps for a scratch-free result. Work calmly and with light pressure.
- Rinse the surface with water first. Flush away loose dust and grit with clean water. This prevents you from grinding those particles into the surface when you apply a cloth. Allow the plastic to stop dripping before moving on.
- Apply Clear Plastic Cleaner & Protector. Spray the product directly onto the plastic or onto a soft microfibre cloth. Work in small circular motions using light pressure. The product cleans the plastic, helps to restore a hazy surface, and protects against new dirt at the same time.
- Buff with a dry, clean microfibre cloth. Gently wipe away the remaining product. You'll see the plastic become clear and even. If any cloudy patches remain, repeat step 2 on that area.
- Check the result. Look at the surface from an angle to see whether it is uniformly clear. Streaks or smears indicate remaining product — simply buff those areas again.
Both sides of the window can be treated in the same way: the approach is identical for inside and outside. Make sure the inside surface is clean and free of dust before you start, as loose dust tends to be more of an issue on the interior.
What should you watch out for?
Work in the shade or on an overcast day wherever possible. On a warm plastic surface the product dries too quickly, making it harder to achieve a streak-free finish. After treatment, avoid leaving the window in direct sunlight before the product has fully worked in.
Always treat plastic windows separately from the fabric sections of your folding camper or awning. Fabric impregnators such as Sprayhood & Tent Protector are designed for textiles, not plastic. On plastic they leave behind a sticky residue and do nothing to improve clarity. For plastic windows, use only Clear Plastic Cleaner & Protector.
The same applies to the inside surface: here too, use only the plastic-specific product. Fabric waterproofing agents have no place on the interior side of plastic windows.
Common mistakes when cleaning plastic windows
- Wiping dry. Without water or a cleaning product, you drag dust particles across the plastic. This is the fastest way to cause fine scratches.
- Using kitchen paper or a coarse cloth. These are too rough for soft plastic. A soft microfibre cloth is the only safe option.
- Using multi-purpose cleaner or washing-up liquid. These products are not formulated for plastic and can gradually make the material dull or brittle.
- Applying a fabric waterproofing product to plastic. This does not create water repellency on plastic, but it will leave stains or a cloudy layer behind.
- Working in direct sunlight. The product dries too quickly and leaves streaks that are difficult to remove afterwards.
- Rubbing too hard. More pressure is not more effective — simply repeat a light motion an extra time instead.
Frequently asked questions about plastic windows on caravans and folding campers
Can I use the same product on my folding camper's windows and on the canvas?
No. For transparent plastic windows, use Clear Plastic Cleaner & Protector. For the fabric sections of a folding camper or awning, use a separate cleaner and a separate protector suited to the type of fabric. Never mix these two product types.
How do I clean the windows from the inside as well?
In exactly the same way as the outside. Spray Clear Plastic Cleaner & Protector onto a soft microfibre cloth and clean the window from the inside using light pressure. Make sure the area is well ventilated and that the cloth is free of dust.
My windows are already very hazy. Will this product still help?
For surface haze or mild cloudiness, Clear Plastic Cleaner & Protector will work well in most cases. If the windows are deeply scratched or heavily yellowed from years of exposure, the improvement will be more limited. In those situations, replacement may sometimes be the only option.
How often should I treat the plastic windows?
This depends on how intensively you use your caravan or folding camper. Once a season is a good rule of thumb. If you notice mid-season that water is no longer beading off the surface and that it soils quickly, it's a good time to treat the windows again.
Can I apply a waterproofing agent to the inside of the tent as well?
Fabric waterproofing products are designed for the outside of the canvas. We advise against treating the inside with an impregnator: it does not improve waterproofness and places unnecessary stress on the fabric. Plastic windows — including on the inside — should always be treated with Clear Plastic Cleaner & Protector.
Keeping your windows clear, season after season
With the right technique and the right product, you can keep the transparent windows of your caravan, motorhome or folding camper clear and scratch-free. Clean them before storing your vehicle and after a long trip, then treat them with Clear Plastic Cleaner & Protector for protection until next time. That way, every season starts with crystal-clear windows.
