Full-timing changed my perspective on kitchen management in a way that weekend camping never did. When you’re living in your RV for weeks or months at a stretch, doing dishes stops being a minor inconvenience and starts being a daily logistics challenge. The RV kitchen sink is smaller than any residential sink, the counter space is limited, and if you’re boondocking or dry camping, you’re thinking carefully about water consumption every time you turn on the faucet. The romantic idea of washing dishes in a tiny sink loses its charm somewhere around day four of a week-long stay at a dry campsite.
The solutions exist—they just require thinking about the problem differently than you would at home. A compact countertop dishwasher that runs on shore power handles the actual washing more efficiently than hand washing in terms of both water and time. Collapsible dish drainers and sinks compress flat for storage when not in use, reclaiming the precious counter space that fixed dish-drying hardware would permanently occupy. Sink mats protect your RV’s sink and make cleanup faster and quieter.
This roundup covers the best washing and dishwashing solutions we carry at the RV Upgrade Store, from a genuine compact countertop dishwasher to the collapsible accessories that make hand washing more practical in a small kitchen. Whether you’re a full-timer who wants every dishwashing advantage available or a weekend camper who wants a better-organized sink area, there’s a product here that improves your daily kitchen routine.
Best for: Full-timers, extended travelers, or shore-power campers who want the convenience of a dishwasher without the space and water demands of a full-size residential unit
The HAVA R01 is the product that surprises people most when they see it in action. A countertop dishwasher that actually works—cleans dishes thoroughly, uses less water than hand washing, and fits on the counter of an RV kitchen—sounds like it shouldn’t exist, but the compact dishwasher category has matured considerably over the past few years, and the R01 represents what’s now possible in a very small footprint.
The water efficiency argument is real, and it matters in the RV context. A typical hand wash session for a meal’s worth of dishes uses anywhere from 8 to 27 litres of water, depending on technique—most people run the tap continuously. The HAVA R01 operates on a fixed water volume per cycle that’s significantly lower than the average hand wash, and it heats that water to temperatures that sanitize dishes more effectively than typical hand wash temperatures. For boondockers managing fresh water carefully, the dishwasher’s water efficiency is a genuine operational advantage, not just a convenience.
The compact footprint fits on most RV kitchen counters without permanently occupying a disproportionate amount of workspace. When the dishwasher is running, the counter space it occupies is in use. When it’s not running, it’s a relatively small appliance—smaller than a microwave—sitting on the counter. For RV owners with sufficient counter space and access to shore power, this trade-off is favorable.
The connection to your RV’s water supply is straightforward—the unit connects to your kitchen faucet with an adapter, drawing fresh water as needed during the wash cycle and draining through a drain hose into your sink. No permanent plumbing modification is required. Setup takes a few minutes the first time and becomes a quick routine connection on subsequent uses.
I particularly recommend the HAVA R01 for couples and families who do extended stays at campgrounds with full hookups. The time and water savings compound over a multi-week trip. By the end of a month-long stay, the time not spent hand washing dishes adds up to hours—time spent at the campsite enjoying the trip rather than standing at the sink.
Pro Tip: Run the dishwasher during off-peak hours at campgrounds—mid-morning or mid-afternoon rather than during the dinner rush when everyone is cooking, and the campground’s electrical load is highest. Consistent voltage is important for appliance performance and longevity, and campground pedestals can drop voltage noticeably during high-demand periods.
Buy the HAVA R01 Compact Countertop Dishwasher
Best for: RV kitchens where counter space is at a premium and a compact, purpose-sized dish-draining solution is needed
Valterra’s mini dish drainer is sized for the reality of an RV kitchen rather than the aspiration of a residential one. Standard dish drainers are designed for a kitchen counter that has several feet of clear space beside the sink; an RV kitchen typically has six to twelve inches. The Valterra mini is dimensioned to fit that available space—small enough to use without blocking access to the counter, large enough to hold a practical quantity of dishes, cups, and utensils.
The design provides the drainage tray, the utensil holder, and the plate and cup rack in a single compact unit. Everything that a full-size drainer does is present here in a form factor that doesn’t overwhelm the available counter space. For RV owners who hand wash dishes and want somewhere to let them air dry without stacking them precariously on a folded towel, the Valterra mini is the practical solution.
The materials are selected for the RV environment—resistant to the humidity and temperature variation that small kitchens experience, and easy to clean when the inevitable splashing and food residue accumulate in the drainage tray. Keeping the drainer clean is important in the RV context, where space is limited, and hygiene standards need to be maintained in a small area without the ventilation of a larger kitchen.
For RV owners who travel with a dishwasher, the mini drainer still serves a purpose—items that aren’t dishwasher safe, cutting boards, large pans, and cookware that doesn’t fit in the compact dishwasher still need a drying solution. The mini drainer handles these overflow items without requiring the full footprint of a standard dish drainer.
Pro Tip: Position the dish drainer directly over the sink or angled so the drainage tray drains back into the sink. Water pooling in the tray and sitting there creates odor issues in the confined space of an RV kitchen. A position that allows passive gravity drainage keeps the tray dry between uses and eliminates the stagnant water problem.
Buy the Valterra Mini Dish Drainer
Best for: RV owners who want a full-capacity dish drainer that folds flat for storage when not in use, reclaiming counter space between meals
The Progressive International collapsible dish drainer solves the storage problem that makes standard dish drainers unsuitable for RV use. A rigid dish drainer that sits on the counter permanently occupies counter space—space that’s already scarce in an RV kitchen. The collapsible design folds flat when not in use and stores in a cabinet or drawer, meaning the counter is clear except during the actual dish drying period.
The fold-flat mechanism allows the drainer to go from storage-compact to fully functional in seconds. Unfold it, position it beside the sink, and it’s ready to hold plates, cups, and utensils in the correct orientation for air drying. When the dishes are dry and put away, fold the drainer and store it—the counter is yours again. For RV owners who cook multiple meals per day and want maximum counter flexibility between cooking sessions, this use-and-store approach is far more practical than a permanently positioned rigid drainer.
The collapsible structure doesn’t compromise functionality. The plate slots, cup pegs, and utensil holder are all present in the unfolded position, providing the same organizational capability as a rigid drainer. Progressive International’s design holds its unfolded position securely—it doesn’t sag or collapse under the weight of a full load of dishes, which is the failure mode of poorly engineered collapsible products.
I recommend the Progressive collapsible drainer particularly for RV owners who cook seriously—who use multiple pots and pans per meal and generate a genuine quantity of dishes that need a proper drying solution, but who also want their counter back immediately after the dishes are done.
Pro Tip: Place a small folded towel under the collapsible drainer to absorb water that drips from the drainage tray before it reaches the counter surface. Collapsible drainers don’t always drain as efficiently as rigid drainers with integrated drain trays, and a towel underneath catches the overflow and protects the counter surface from sustained water contact.
Buy the Progressive International Collapsible Dish Drainer
Best for: Protecting the RV sink basin from scratches, reducing dish clatter during washing, and providing a cushioned surface for washing delicate items
The Camco sink mat is one of those inexpensive accessories that makes daily use better in several ways simultaneously. It sits in the bottom of the sink basin and provides a cushioned, non-slip surface that protects both the sink and the dishes from the contact damage that occurs when hard items are set down, slid across, or knocked against the sink surface during washing.
RV sinks are typically made from stainless steel or composite materials that show scratches from repeated contact with silverware, pot handles, and the edges of plates and bowls. Over time these scratches accumulate into a visibly worn sink surface that’s also harder to clean because food particles catch in the scratches. The sink mat prevents this wear entirely by providing a soft buffer between every item being washed and the sink surface.
The noise reduction benefit is practically significant in an RV’s compact living space. The clatter of dishes being washed in a hard sink—amplified by the thin-wall construction that transmits sound effectively in an RV—is noticeably louder than in a residential kitchen with solid countertops and thicker walls. The mat dampens that noise substantially, which matters particularly during early morning or late evening washing when other people in the rig are sleeping.
Camco sizes their sink mat for the RV and marine market—smaller than residential sink mats and available in dimensions that fit the compact sink basins common in travel trailers and motorhomes. The material is easy to clean, doesn’t harbor odors, and is safe for contact with food-preparation items.
Pro Tip: Remove and rinse the sink mat after each use and allow it to air dry before replacing it in the sink. A mat that sits wet in the sink continuously develops mildew underneath it—the area between the mat and the sink surface that doesn’t get air circulation. A thirty-second rinse-and-dry routine keeps the mat fresh and the sink surface clean underneath it.
Buy the Camco RV & Marine Sink Mat
Best for: Creating an additional washing basin for pre-soaking, rinsing, outdoor washing, or as a portable wash station away from the RV kitchen
The Coghlan’s collapsible sink is one of those camping accessories that serves so many purposes it’s hard to categorize precisely. In the dishwashing context, its primary use is as a flexible second basin—a soak basin for items that need pre-treatment before the main wash, a dedicated rinse basin for a two-sink washing approach, or an outdoor wash station when you want to do dishes outside rather than inside the rig.
The two-basin washing technique—wash in one basin, rinse in another—is significantly more water-efficient than the running-water method and is the recommended approach for boondocking and water-conservation camping. The Coghlan’s collapsible sink provides the second basin that most RV kitchens lack, allowing this technique without the permanent counter footprint of a fixed second basin.
The 9-liter capacity is genuinely useful—large enough to soak a pot or hold a full batch of rinsing water, small enough to store flat in a cabinet drawer when not in use. The silicone construction collapses from a full basin to a flat disc about an inch thick, making storage completely unobtrusive. Pull it out when you need it, collapse it when you don’t.
Beyond dishwashing, the collapsible sink serves as a pet water bowl, a produce washing basin, a hand-washing station at the campsite away from the RV, and a general-purpose water container for outdoor use. RV owners who take one on a trip find more uses for it than they anticipated—it’s the kind of product that earns its storage space many times over.
Pro Tip: When using the collapsible sink for dishwashing pre-soak, add a small amount of dish soap to the water and let items soak for five to ten minutes before washing. Pre-soaking removes most of the dried food residue and dramatically reduces the scrubbing effort and water needed for the main wash—a significant time and water saving when you’re doing dishes for a group after a full camp dinner.
Buy the Coghlan’s 9-Liter Collapsible Sink
Dishwashing in an RV doesn’t have to be the least enjoyable part of the trip. The right combination of equipment makes the process faster, more water-efficient, and less disruptive to the limited counter space that RV kitchens provide. Whether you’re investing in a compact dishwasher for serious convenience on shore power, or equipping a compact hand-washing setup for efficient off-grid use, the products in this roundup address the real challenges of washing up in a small kitchen.
Full-timers will notice the difference immediately. Weekend campers will wonder why they didn’t think about this sooner. Either way, taking the kitchen seriously—including the washing side of it—makes the whole RV living experience more comfortable and more sustainable on longer trips.
If you have questions about which products are right for your kitchen setup and camping style, give us a call at the store.
I’m Bill Rowell, the founder of RVupgrades.com. In 2002, I launched the business to help fellow RV enthusiasts find unique and hard-to-find products. Over the years, it’s grown to offer more than 15,000 items, with a warehouse in Eastlake, Ohio. Having owned and repaired nearly every type of RV, I bring over two decades of hands-on experience to the table. For me, this isn’t just a business – it’s a passion and a way of life that I love sharing with the RV community.
Follow me on LinkedIn