How to Keep Your Camper Smelling Like Adventure (Not Old Socks)
- redrunstorage
- Nov 10, 2025
- 3 min read
A realistic guide for every camper who has opened the door after winter storage and thought, “that’s… concerning."
There is nothing more humbling than opening your camper in the spring, breathing in deeply, and suddenly questioning every decision you made last fall.
Is that mildew?
Is that the fridge?
Is that… old hot dog water vibes?
Whatever it is, you don’t want it.
The good news?
That “camper funk” is preventable — and fixable — with a few simple habits.
Here’s how to keep your camper smelling like adventure, freedom, and fresh air… instead of old gym socks and regret.
1. Prop the fridge open
Repeat after us:
“A closed fridge is just a mildew incubator.”
Always — ALWAYS — leave your fridge and freezer propped open during storage.
If you forget, spring will greet you with:
a mysterious smell,
a dark sludge spot you won’t make eye contact with,
and a life lesson you didn’t ask for.
We don’t gatekeep at Red Run.
This is the #1 rule.
2. Use moisture control (aka: stop the musty smell before it starts)
Moisture = mildew.
Mildew = smell.
Your job: stop moisture.
Options that actually work:
DampRid (place one near bathroom + kitchen)
Dehumidifier (if you’re storing at home with power)
Old-school baking soda (cheap + effective)
Think of it like a spa day for the air.
3. Remove
anything
that can rot, mold, or get weird
You know that bag of marshmallows you left in the pantry?
Yeah. Throw it out.
Remove:
Food (yes, even canned stuff)
Paper towels (they attract moisture)
Bedding and towels (they absorb smells)
Leave your camper clean and empty — like a fresh start, not a forgotten snack locker.
4. Deep clean the coffee maker
We’re going to say something painful:
You cannot store coffee grounds for four months and expect things to go well.
Take out:
Coffee grounds
Pods
Filters
The entire machine if you can
You will be rewarded in spring with a first cup that tastes like victory, not fungal disappointment.
5. Crack a vent (just a little)
Fresh airflow = fresh smells.
If your storage cover allows ventilation (ours do), crack a vent open slightly.
It prevents stale air buildup and gives moisture somewhere to escape besides into your cushions.
Bonus: your camper won’t smell “sealed in the dark” when spring returns.
6. Use a diffuser or dryer sheets (but not as a substitute for cleaning)
For maintenance — not masking.
Good choices:
Dryer sheets in drawers
A small essential oil diffuser pad in a cabinet
Cedar blocks (bonus: repel critters)
Red flag choices:
Glade plug-ins (fire hazard)
Leaving full candles (melting hazard and just… why?)
7. The “Grand Finale” trick: Fresh air day
Once the sun is out and temps are above “Michigan pain level,” do this:
Open ALL windows and vents
Run the ceiling fan
Let the breeze do its magic
Mother Nature = free deodorizer.
Your camper will smell like:
✅ Fresh air
✅ Adventure
❌ Forgotten gym clothes
The Real Secret?
Smell is a side effect of systems.
Do these three things and you’ll win every time:
Remove moisture
Remove food + fabrics
Ventilate
Your camper can sleep all winter — and wake up fresh.
Your camper deserves to smell like s’mores and freedom, not old socks and mystery odor #3.
If you need secure storage, you know where to find us:
Secure gravel lot • Family owned
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