Washing a caravan using washing up liquid.

Washing up liquid contains salt ,and it could damage the paint 

Using  one  of  Fenwick's ** potions  seems  to  be  quite  cheap  enough  if  you  stick  to  the  amounts  quoted,  JD,  and  don't  pop  another  capful  " For  Luck"

**  Other  CAMH  cleaners  are  available 

Over a prolonged period the salt in washing up liquid will dull and fade the paint and especially decals. It will get behind the lacquer on alloys and rust the brakes. What's wrong with cheap carwash? I use Halfords own bought when on offer. Also use dry wash which is even easier.

Hd, I have heard that explanation before. I was 'fishing' for that information. thanks for pointing it out. I do have Fenwicks and will dig it out and use it. Also, thanks to ABM.

If caravan makers used the same turgid grey paint that VW used on my Passat then the dirt wouldn't show so much and reduce the need for washing to perhaps bi-annually. 

Can I suggest that we no longer wash our mostly white ‘Tin Tents’ allowing them to gradually turn various shades of  ‘Natural Green’ as it will be more in-keeping with our new 'CAMC' outdoors ethos. !!

Using washing up liquid will remove the wax finish and make it dull has the previous posts says

I'm tight but see little saving in using washing liquid.

I have used it in the past but i blame its use for the owning rail "rubbers" turning yellow, so IME it can discolour plastic.

I just use a good wash and wax, i've never polished a caravan apart from small areas to restore faded paint, but i might give my new caravan a once only wax, or i might not.

Washing up liquid only contains a tiny bit of salt, so the occasional wash with it will do no harm.

I was told that washing up liquid works by making the water "wetter". It has additives to make this possible including an additive for suds or bubbles which have no effect in the cleaning process other than to please SWMBO who would swear it needs suds. I fail to see what harm it would do to paintwork as it is rinsed with water afterwards.

As said  in the first reply, Fairy etc contains loads of salt to kill the grease ...... not really what you want on your paintwork.