How To Clean Your Rv Awning: Step By Step
There are a few ways to clean off your awning effectively. We will provide information and steps for two different cleaning methods below.
There is a lot of overlap in the process for both cleaning options, so they will be listed together.
Materials Needed
The good news is that cleaning your RV awning doesnt take all that long, and you dont need a lot of materials to get the job done.
Heres what you need:
-
Water Hose
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Optional: Stiff-bristled brush or a soft-bristled brush
Thetford 96017 Premium Awning Cleaner
This awning cleaner delivers excellent value to users, thanks to its economical 64-oz contents. Therefore, I can use this awning cleanser on different surfaces before the container runs out.
Aside from a reliable cleaning agent, this product is also a solution to add protection to awnings from harsh UV rays. With this sun protection, I can have peace of mind, knowing that my carriers awnings, and other surfaces, will have extended lifespans.
While still on the subject of surfaces, I used this on different exteriors, including acrylic, plastic, and vinyl. In my tests, this awning cleanser did not harm the aesthetics or structural integrity of those materials. Hence, feel free to use it to clean off your awning or other household items made of such fabrics.
Further, this product has non-toxic ingredients, ensuring no harm for users. Plus, it is non-flammable and biodegradable, avoiding catching on fire. These eco-friendly characteristics make it possible to clean awnings while animals are nearby.
It is also a breath of fresh air to open its container without covering my nose. The formula has a pleasant scent, which tends to be absent in other awning cleaning agents on the market.
- Applies or improves UV protection to RV awnings
- Applicable on different surfaces, like acrylic and vinyl
- Non-toxic, non-flammable, and biodegradable formula
- The formula has a pleasant smell
- Best used for maintenance cleaning
How Do You Clean Mold Off A Camper Awning
Mildew on a vinyl awning can be cleaned with diluted bleach, vinegar and baking soda, or a store-bought antimicrobial. For the bleach, youll want to spot-treat affected areas by spraying diluted bleach on it and letting it sit for 10 minutes. Then you can scrub off the mildew and rinse off the bleach.
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Easily Remove Mildew From Awnings Without Any Scrubbing
Wet And Forget is as simple as spraying your outdoor surface and leaving it. Green algae, black mold, and moss begin to die off on contact. The combination of the wind and the rain rinses and scrubs your surfaces clean over time. Green stains clean up in 1-2 weeks, black stains and moss clean up in 2 or more months. Wet the surface and forget it, there’s no rinsing or scrubbing! Life’s Dirty. Clean Easy.
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How Often To Clean
You may wish to perform a simple cleaning to keep your awning looking and performing great. Deep cleaning once a year should be all that is required unless you attract a lot of debris and dirt or see stains or mold forming on the surface. In that case, youll want to utilize the extra steps listed below the routine cleaning regimen.
One note: Remember to clean slide and window awnings to extend their life, as well!
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Valterra V88542 Awning Cleaner
The final product for this list, but not the least, is this awning cleaner from Valterra. This cleanser becomes a no-brainer in the search for a compatible RV awning-cleaning solution. It is because the product can safely clean relatively any awning material, such as canvas or vinyl.
Also, this awning cleanser has a unique trait it can remove tree sap. For the record, I find tree sap to be quite challenging to remove as the sticky material tends to leave a residue. However, Valterra did a great job in concocting a formula that can efficiently eliminate tree sap from different surfaces.
This agent is an excelent choice for colored RV awnings as the formula does not cause discoloration or fading. This product keeps the stylish appearance of my campers awning, making it an excellent cleanser for regular maintenance.
Still, its reasonable price makes it difficult to complain about these minor shortcomings.
- Can be used to clean relatively any awning material, like canvas and vinyl, safely
- Can remove different types of messes and stains, including tree sap
- Does not cause discoloration or fading to colored awnings
- Mild formula is excellent for regular maintenance
- Can be bought at a reasonable price
- May require extra scrubbing in some cases
Using The Laundry Detergent Approach
Liquid laundry detergent is preferred to powder detergent for cleaning an RV awning because powder detergents are a bit harsh. You will just need a little liquid laundry detergent mixed with warm water to protect the protective finishing coating.
Collect the following:
- A soft brush or sponge
Procedure:
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How Do I Use Rv Awning Cleaner
The best camper awning cleaners are the kind you spray on, let sit for a minute or two, and spray off.
Many people dont know you need to regularly maintain RV awnings to prevent mold growth which damages the fabric. Many used RVs will have extra dirty awnings from years of moisture and heat which causes mold growth.
For super moldy and dirty RV awnings like these, you may need to do some scrubbing with a soft brush or sponge no matter how strong the awning cleaner is.
Always read the instructions for the specific cleaner and wear safety glasses, gloves, and protective clothing when dealing with harsh chemicals like the ones used in RV awning cleaners.
Its also suggested to test the cleaner on a small part of the awning first to make sure it doesnt discolor or break down the fabric.
Use A Brush Or A Spray Bottle
Now that you have the cleaner mixture ready, spread the rolled-up awning and lower it. You should be able to access, or at least see the full fabric. If youre unable to reach the top right or the top left corner, a long stiff brush can help!
Use the awning cleaner on both sides of the fabric. However, we suggest you don’t leave the solution on the fabric overnight. They can be quite stripping and discolor RV awnings.
We like to scrub the fabric with a soft brush to remove leaf stains. You can also go in with a pressure wash, but nothing beats a good old spray bottle!
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Cleaning Vinyl Vs Acrylic Fabric
Acrylic awning fabrics will be a bit more challenging to clean than vinyl. This is because the acrylic fabric is a woven material, so dirt and other things can hide between the threads.
Since it is a woven fabric, it will also often come with a waterproof finish. Most other heavy-duty fabrics that some RV companies use will be similar to acrylic material.
Most waterproof finishes or coatings will not last forever, and they will end up coming off. When you are cleaning the awning, be sure not to scrub too aggressively, or you could wear this coating off much faster. You can reapply protective and waterproof sprays after youre done cleaning as well.
The vinyl material will be easier to clean because it isnt a porous surface. Vinyl awnings are also much more resistant to mold and mildew, but they still need to be cleaned because theyre not mildew proof.
When you are cleaning vinyl, you likely wont have to let the cleaning solution sit as long as you would on acrylic.
The spray, roll, sit, and spray method is ideal for acrylic materials because you can avoid using a brush.
If you dont want the process to take so long, and you have a vinyl awning, you can always use a brush instead of rolling up the awning.
How To Clean Mold Off Rv Awning: Step By Step
We have put together an easy-to-follow guide that will take you through the steps of cleaning mildew and mold off of your RV awning. The same steps can also be used to deep clean your awning in between trips to help maintain its water and mold resistance. Make sure to always read the manufacturers recommendations that come with your awning as they can vary depending on fabric and awning type.
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Extra Steps For Neglected Awnings
If your RV awning has stains, tree sap, or mold and mildew forming on it, there are a few extra steps that you can add to the process listed above for a deeper clean:
- Once the awning is saturated with the soapy mixture, take a soft brush or broom and scrub the affected parts.
- Bleach can be used on stains and mildew, with one part bleach to ten parts water. Do not use bleach every time you clean your awning. However, it will shorten the awnings life and dull the colors in the material.
- Vinegar is a safer option than bleach to combat mold and mildew, and a more potent mixture can be used .
- If care is taken, a pressure washer can be used on the awning fabric, but be vigilant not to tear the material.
How To Clean And Remove Mold From An Rv Awning
If mildew is a thunderstorm, mold is a hurricane. Black mold is one of the most costly and widespread issues in humid areas, but you dont have to live in Louisiana or Alabama to get mold on your RVs awning.
Like mildew, mold forms in dark and damp environments which makes a wet, rolled-up awning the perfect breeding ground. Mold penetrates deeper into the surfaces it invades which makes it more damaging than mildew and harder to get rid of.
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Open & Rinse Your Awning
After an hour, and hopefully, after youve done some more chores, you can unspool your awning and use a garden hose to rinse the underside and top.
If youve followed the soap-to-water ratio outlined above, it shouldnt take you very long to rinse it off. But, if you went a little heavy on the soap, it might take a bit longer.
You can use a step stool if youre washing awnings that are permanently attached to their frames.
Is There A Remedy For A Ruined Rv Awning Finishing Coating
In the event that the protective finishing on your RV awning is worn off due to scrubbing or damage from stains, it can be saved. You can retreat the awning with industrial protectants available in local stores designed to repel dirt, UV rays, and water repellency. They can also be applied after regular cleaning to improve the fabrics durability.
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Routine Rv Awning Cleaning Steps
Mix up this DIY cleaning solution in a bucket, then fill your spray bottle with it and go through the following steps to give your awning a fresh bath:
How To Clean Mould Off Your Caravan Awning
Sep 19, 2019 | Hints & Tips | 6
Were coming out of a wet winter and I was wondering how do I clean mould off my caravan awning?
So I did a little research, and this is what I found to be the only way that actually works:
When I was reseraching this I found some interesting things:
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How To Clean Rv Awnings
RV awnings provide protection from the weather, sun, and other outside elements.
Because of this, they collect dirt and debris brought on by trees, bugs, rain, and so on.
Cleaning your awning is essential to extend its lifespan and keep it looking new.
So, lets look at how to clean RV awnings in 5 simple steps, how to remove mold and mildew, and answer a few of the most frequently asked questions.
How To Clean Your Rv Awning
If youve spent any time on the road with your RV, you know how precious your awning can be. Its shade, its a place to congregate with family or camp neighbors, and its an extension of your living space. Its important to keep that space looking nice and fresh, which all begins by learning how to properly clean and care for your RV awning.
Cleaning your awning may not be as straight-forward as you think, which is why weve put together this awning cleaning guide. Read on to learn our best tips and tricks for awning cleaning. Buckle up!
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How To Clean The Underside Of The Camper Awning
The actual method of cleaning as well as the preparation, the time budget, and the material budget, highly depends on the environment your RV is in and the frequency you do the cleaning. It is obvious, isnt it?
I mean, you are not going to need the same cleaning after a week of camping under a leafy canopy in the rainy season, compared to a week in the middle of a desert in summer.
Why would you go camping in the middle of a desert in summer? I dont know to make meth? Just kidding. Anyway, you get the idea. Different levels of dust require a different level of cleaning. Here, I will discuss three different levels of cleaning, when and why you should use them.
Duragloss 542 Rv Cleaner
If you want professional-grade results, then you will need to use a professional-grade cleaning product, too and that is exactly what Duragloss marine and RV cleaner can provide. If you have a vinyl awning, and you are adamant about keeping it clean and spotless, then it is one of the best investments you will ever make for your RV.
Aside from the vinyl awnings, it can also work wonders on all the non-porous surfaces on the RV. You can use this cleaner on fiberglass, plastic, and tiles. Even if the stain has penetrated deep inside the material, this professional-grade cleaner will get rid of it completely, or at the very least, make it fade so much that it is hardly visible.
I am pleased to find out there is no chlorine or any other highly caustic materials in this cleaner that can damage your awning. It does the job relying on a specially blended combination of surfactants that work similarly to chlorine bleach. Hence, no sign of color becomes faded, or the stitches get weakened.
Another thing that I truly love about this product is how effectively it works against mold and mildew. Even for ones left on the surface and allowed to dry and stain for a long time, just one application of Duragloss cleaner can eliminate all. For tough stains, you can also use it at full-strength and scrub it into the offending stain.
- Not durable package
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How Do I Get Mold Off My Awning
To clean mildew and stubborn stains:
14.08.2020
Dry Them Before Storage
The number one rule to prevent mildew on both fabric and vinyl RV awnings is to always make sure they are completely dry before they are stored. Improper or incomplete drying is the main cause of both mildew and mold on both sides of the awning surface.
Following a light rain shower or after your regular cleaning, make sure it is dry before rolling it up. This also applies to awnings that were used in humid environments.
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Protecting Your Rv Awning
303 Fabric Guard This commercial-grade protector guarantees the best shield for your fabric awning against the outdoor elements. Many consumer-grade protectors do not do an adequate job with fabric awnings. Use this product on Fabric Awnings after a good cleaning. It will help to keep your awning looking great while repelling water.
303 Aerospace Protectant This high-quality treatment for vinyl awnings not only protects against fading and the suns UV rays but repels dust and stains too. This protectant also restores the color of the awning and helps it resist cracking. Look for a spray that is soil resistant, water and stain repellant and long-lasting. Silicone or oil-based sprays should never be used on fabric awnings.
RELATED READING: Check out our article called How to Clean the Outside of a Camper Trailer for a ton of cleaning tips and products to clean the outside of your RV!
Happy Awning = Happy Campers. With a little ingenuity, elbow grease, and know-how you can keep your RV awning in tip-top shape, giving it a long life and an attractive appearance. Youll be one happy camper rolling out that beautiful awning at your campsite now!
Do you have any helpful tips or advice for cleaning an RV awning? Please share your ideas or comments below? And if you found this article to be informative please help us out and share it on social media! We really appreciate you taking a second to share our content!
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