Cleaning your awning

[mikeflys]

When I opened my awning for the first time this season, I was a bit shocked at how dirty it looks. I often stay under pine trees, they drop sap everywhere. When you roll up your awning this sap just spreads all over both sides of the cloth. Dead bugs stick to it, its just a mess. I have tried a commercial "Awning cleaner" I purchased at Camping World. Doesn't even touch it. Anybody have a favorite product, or better yet a home brew cleaner that will actually work?

[2012Coleman]

I use Mold Armor on the awning. No scrubbing required. Spray on, let sit for a few minutes and hose off. Works great on the propane cylinder cover too. Find at Walmart, Home Depot or Lowes. Got rid of both yellow and brown stains.

bartlettj wrote:
I wish awnings just came brown from the factory.

Mine did!

[TomC1216]

I have also used Awesome with good results on our old travel trailer. Our newer fifth wheel, however, has a power awning that we cannot disconnect the legs and lay it flat against the siding to really clean it well.

[RGar974417]

Terryallan wrote:

RGar974417 wrote:
Here are 2 things. You can buy Awesome at the dollar store.A spray bottle is $1.00 and they sell gallon refills.That does work pretty good. Some years ago,I was told to put some car wash in a bucket and throw it on the awning then roll it up.Leave it there for 20 minutes then open and rinse. That works ok for general cleaning but the Awesome and a scrub brush on a poll are still needed for the tougher spots.

just be VERY careful with Awesome. It will take the finish off the side of the RV, and the decals

I have used the Awesome on several different trailers and never had a problem with graphics.But I do small sections at a time.Spray it on,let it soak for a minute then wash and rinse.

[austinjenna]

Roll out the awning and get it wet.
Spray Tilex on the underneath of it
Roll it up and wait 30 minutes, then unroll and spray it off
If there are still a few little spots, spray them and roll it up for another 15 minutes or so.

I have not scrubbed my awning since doing this method

[DiskDoctr]

mikeflys wrote:
I like the roll it up idea. I will give that a try!! Thanks again.

When you are rolling it OUT, roll it just a little at a time and then use the carwash brush to clean the awning area on the roller, gives you something to push against. Roll out a little more, repeat.

Your topside will then be cleaned 😉

As you roll it up, any cleaner on the topside will contact the underside. But whatever you can hit with a brush, just don't push too hard to hurt the awning. The first 6-10" near the awning as you unroll it works for the bottom, too.

It's harder as you roll it up because the spring is free. Rolling out is notched and will stay where you stop it.

Good luck!

[mikeflys]

I like the roll it up idea. I will give that a try!! Thanks again.

[DiskDoctr]

Some of the manuals suggest Spic-n-Span, roll it up, then rinse off. Using a car wash brush on a handle doesn't hurt and can do a better job.

As mentioned above, watch you don't get anything in your eyes 😉

[bartlettj]

I wish awnings just came brown from the factory.

[ReneeG]

We just use a mixture of even parts Dawn dishwashing liquid and white vinegar then water, roll it up and let it sit, then open up and scrub again. Even if you don't roll up the awning, it still works wonders. Just watch for those drips that can get in your eyes.

[shastagary]

i use a mixture of dish washing liquid,bleach and water mixed up in a garden sprayer apply it and use the roll up method. unroll it an scrub it with a long handle brush adding more of my soap mix then rinse as i go it does a good job dissolves most of the sticky stuff from the trees. the magic eraser sponges also are amazing but do not last long. 2-Gallon Sprayer

[RobWNY]

LA Totally Awesome cleaner didn't touch our stains. It's almost as if the stains are part of the awning. Soap doesn't touch it either. I even took charcoal lighter fluid and scrubbed one spot with a rag. Didn't help at all. Just gonna have to live with it I guess

[Terryallan]

RGar974417 wrote:
Here are 2 things. You can buy Awesome at the dollar store.A spray bottle is $1.00 and they sell gallon refills.That does work pretty good. Some years ago,I was told to put some car wash in a bucket and throw it on the awning then roll it up.Leave it there for 20 minutes then open and rinse. That works ok for general cleaning but the Awesome and a scrub brush on a poll are still needed for the tougher spots.

just be VERY careful with Awsome. It will take the finish off the side of the RV, and the decals

[Fizz]

Mr Clean magic eraser works for me. Needs a lot of elbow grease but it will clean up.

[path1]

Type of sap I get...I wait for good freeze and use a credit card to scrape off when sap is frozen solid. Works for me.