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TheCaptKen's avatar
TheCaptKen
Explorer
Aug 03, 2017

Electric Awning Cleaning

My old fiver had a manual awning so when it came to washing it, I could disconnect the side braces and make the awning vertical. Made it easy to scrub. My new fiver has the electric awning and its way on up there. Does anyone know of a simple way to get to the top for washing or do I go ahead and invest in an 8 foot stepladder.
  • austinjenna wrote:
    I spray mine down, spray tilex on it and roll it up for 30 minutes or so. Unroll it and spray it down again and it looks like new, no scrubbing needed.


    X-2. I have also mixed dish washing soap and bleach (10% each) with 80% water. Spray on, roll up for 15 to 20 minutes, and the awning will look like new again. No scrubbing required. In fact I just cleaned mine yesterday.
  • Went to Home Depot (or any box store) and got a gallon of 30 seconds( now have enough for 3 more times) mixed as directed for,cloth, opened the awning, tilted it down to the lowest then sprayed it on the underside. Rolled,it up for,the 3 minutes it said for cloth, unrolled it and rinsed. I was amazed all the small mildew spots were no longer there, no,scrubbing
  • I spray mine down, spray tilex on it and roll it up for 30 minutes or so. Unroll it and spray it down again and it looks like new, no scrubbing needed.
  • If climbing onto the roof isn't a problem for you, this is how I do it: get up there with a hose, a bucket of bleach and water (I go about 25/75), and an expandable brush from Home Depot. I rinse off the awning and then soak it with the bleach/water mixture (careful to keep off the roof) and roll it up. After 5-10 minutes, I open it up again and rinse the awning off. Sometimes 2 or 3 applications, but it comes out nice and clean. Then I go underneath and hit the spots with the brush that didn't come clean. It takes awhile, but I don't mind. Having a dirty awning, especially on the bottom, is something I notice all the time. This method is close to what is recommended by the awning manufacturer.
  • My electric awning tilts down on both ends. I use a long handle, about 90"s, with a scrubby turned on the end. I also turn a nice soft bristle brush on same handle for washing FW. In any case, a FW owner should have an 8' step ladder for home use. I use a 7' folding step ladder while camping.

    Many folks just spray various cleaners on, roll up for a time, then hose off.

    Jerry
  • I open up awning and use a garden spray'r and squirt the fabric with dawn soap suds. Then pull awning in, then finish washing that side, then extend awning and hose off, let dry, then fold in. Works for me.