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imq707s's avatar
imq707s
Explorer
Sep 08, 2017

Best way to clean awning to get rid of mildew smell?

The roll-up awning on my 2011 Zinger Camper is in very good shape, but at one point the previous owner must have rolled it up wet…..and stored it for a long time. Every time the family and I take the camper somewhere and put the awning out….it reeks of strong mold and mildew smell.

I’ve tried a few different awning cleaners on it, scrubbed the heck out of it…..and even though it looks very clean with only a few light stains from the mildew remaining (I just can’t get those stains off)…..it still has that mildew smell to it.

Are there any tricks for getting rid of that smell? Any special cleaners that will give it a nice deep clean? What about power washing it…..too rough on the awning?

Any advice would be great.

7 Replies

  • I clean my awning with TSP and bleach mixture in bug sprayer.. .Spray it on, let it sit for 5 minutes then pressure wash it off. As RBPRU stated, you may have some mold growing in the inside of the bar.
  • I would double check where the smell is coming from. perhaps there is some nook, cranny or pocket of some sort you missed.

    My problem is, after I clean my awning and it rains, dirt from the roof seeps into the ends and created a series of stripes.

    Let us know what worked for you.
  • ksg5000 wrote:

    x3 Just remember that Tilex has bleach and might leave bleach spots on your clothes if it drips on you - dress appropriately.

    Oh ya, I forgot to mention that. I have special clothes for Tilex, and painting, and other such fun activities...
  • downtheroad wrote:
    I use Tilex Mold and Mildew .....but a mixture of bleach and water in a sprayer will work too.
    Soak it, roll it up, let it sit for an hour, unroll and rinse with a hose....
    Let it dry before storing it.


    x3 Just remember that Tilex has bleach and might leave bleach spots on your clothes if it drips on you - dress appropriately.
  • downtheroad wrote:
    I use Tilex Mold and Mildew .....but a mixture of bleach and water in a sprayer will work too.
    Soak it, roll it up, let it sit for an hour, unroll and rinse with a hose....
    Let it dry before storing it.


    X2.
    I have used just about everything else (Magic Eraser, X-14, Fantastic, etc.) and the Tilex took out the stains they had left behind.

    Simply soak both sides of the awning with it and roll it back up for a couple of hours. No scrubbing. Then unroll and rinse.
    Done!
  • I use Tilex Mold and Mildew .....but a mixture of bleach and water in a sprayer will work too.
    Soak it, roll it up, let it sit for an hour, unroll and rinse with a hose....
    Let it dry before storing it.