Forum Discussion

rvshrinker's avatar
rvshrinker
Explorer III
Jul 21, 2020

RV awning cleaning

Based on some other threads and the interwebs, I sprayed my awning with 1 TB each of dish soap and bleach dissolved in one gallon of water. I rolled it up and let it sit for ten minutes, then sprayed it off with a hose and... Nothing! Was not cleaner at all.

So, I ended up hand scrubbing every inch of that blasted awning, all on a ladder with my arms uncomfortably in the air over my head.

I had never washed it in almost three years and it was dirty. But there has to be an easier, and safer way.

If I repeat the spray roll rinse routine more frequently, like twice a year, will it work better? The trailer is under a carport, but we have a damp climate nine months of the year so fog and mist will saturate the awning no matter what is above it.
  • guidry's avatar
    guidry
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2020
    i use half bleach half water and roll it up for at least a half hour or more. Unroll it and rinsed it, it just needed a little scrubbing with a RV brush. Came out almost new. And this was after being rolled up for a year with mold and tree leaves.
  • HappyKayakers's avatar
    HappyKayakers
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2020
    Use a soft bristle brush on an extensible pole. Relieves a lot of stress on the arms but you'll still get wet.
  • kellem's avatar
    kellem
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2020
    Idk, awnings are a must but can be a PITA keeping them clean.

    I'm trying to limit some effort this year by rubbing the awning down with 303 then rolling up......have to wait and see.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2020
    Those easy to use by button pushing power awnings are wonderful till you have bad weather or want to clean them. If you ever had a manual awning that pulls to the ground you would know what I mean. Since mine came with the worthless thing, I leave it rolled up.
  • MitchF150's avatar
    MitchF150
    Explorer III
    Jul 21, 2020
    "30 Second Outdoor Cleaner" is what I use. Spray it on (I use my garden sprayer), roll up, let it sit for the time it takes to drink a beer and then roll back out and spray it off top and bottom.

    Comes out pretty good if you keep up with it. If there is deeper stains and such, I use a car wash brush on a long handle to scrub a little bit more.

    Good luck! Mitch
  • dieseltruckdriv's avatar
    dieseltruckdriv
    Explorer II
    Jul 22, 2020
    MitchF150 wrote:
    "30 Second Outdoor Cleaner" is what I use. Spray it on (I use my garden sprayer), roll up, let it sit for the time it takes to drink a beer and then roll back out and spray it off top and bottom.

    Comes out pretty good if you keep up with it. If there is deeper stains and such, I use a car wash brush on a long handle to scrub a little bit more.

    Good luck! Mitch
    Soooo,
    It works in like two minutes?

    :B
  • ken56's avatar
    ken56
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2020
    Just did mine today and it was the dirtiest I have ever let it get...meaning bad. I used Awesome, about 4 ounces diluted in a 1 gallon sprayer. Bottle says dilute it 10 to 1 for vinyl. Sprayed it down generously and rolled it up and let it marinate for 15 minutes. Then I filled my car wash bucket with car wash soap and unrolled it and liberally used the car wash water and soft brush to break any dirt loose. Still has some faint dark spots on it but it worked quite well.
  • 2012Coleman's avatar
    2012Coleman
    Explorer II
    Jul 22, 2020
    I use Mold Armor on everything that gets moldy - awning, gaskets around cargo doors, propane tank cover. I spray it on and let it sit then rinse - no rolling the awning up, but suppose that doesn't hurt. Walmart, Lowes.

  • dhull's avatar
    dhull
    Explorer II
    Jul 22, 2020
    X2 on the mold armor. I have la awesome also but for awnings mold armor is more awesome! Great stain remover too.
    It will bleach your clothes and burn your skin so be carefull.

About RV Newbies

4,026 PostsLatest Activity: Jun 15, 2017