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An awning question

Lemonhead78
Explorer
Explorer
I unrolled my awning for the first time this year. It was soaking wet and now has mold on it. I was thinking when I rolled it up for the winters last camping trip that it couldn't get wet at least on the inside of it . Is this a normal thing to happen or did I do something wrong?
17 REPLIES 17

austinjenna
Explorer
Explorer
Are you spraying just one side of the awning or both?


I just spray the underneath, dont forget this thing rolls up into itself so actually both sides come out clean.

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2011 Crusader 298BDS 5th Wheel
Reese 16K

beemerphile1
Explorer
Explorer
Capillary action
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2016 Silverado 3500HD DRW D/A 4x4
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drsteve
Explorer
Explorer
Griz14 wrote:
austinjenna wrote:
Unroll the awning, get it wet with the hose, spray Tilex on it and roll it back up for 30 minutes or so, unroll it and spray it off, the awning will be clean with no scrubbing involved.

Are you spraying just one side of the awning or both?


Both.
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2018 Coachmen Catalina Legacy Edition 223RBS
1991 Palomino Filly PUP

drsteve
Explorer
Explorer
austinjenna wrote:
Unroll the awning, get it wet with the hose, spray Tilex on it and roll it back up for 30 minutes or so, unroll it and spray it off, the awning will be clean with no scrubbing involved.


I do the same only with bleach water (1 cup per gallon). Works like a charm.
2006 Silverado 1500HD Crew Cab 2WD 6.0L 3.73 8600 GVWR
2018 Coachmen Catalina Legacy Edition 223RBS
1991 Palomino Filly PUP

cmcdar
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks OP, I too have had this issue and it is (but shouldn't) drive me crazy.

Just to be clear, I have a problem with the UNDER SIDE of the awning.

The side you see when you are sitting under it. I believe that is also what the OP is referring to.

I have tried a great many products and can never get the stains removed let alone keeping it clean.

I will try the Tilex and rolling back up to sit a spell.
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dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
Yes normal. Store the trailer at an angle so the water will not get into and stay inside the rolled up awning. If it’s longer it may also have a sag to it which makes it worse. I have a 21ft awning. I installed an awning support to keep it from sagging when rolled up.
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Griz14
Explorer
Explorer
austinjenna wrote:
Unroll the awning, get it wet with the hose, spray Tilex on it and roll it back up for 30 minutes or so, unroll it and spray it off, the awning will be clean with no scrubbing involved.

Are you spraying just one side of the awning or both?

2012Coleman
Explorer II
Explorer II
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.

Experience without good judgment is worthless; good judgment without experience is still good judgment!

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austinjenna
Explorer
Explorer
Unroll the awning, get it wet with the hose, spray Tilex on it and roll it back up for 30 minutes or so, unroll it and spray it off, the awning will be clean with no scrubbing involved.

2010 F350 CC Lariat 4x4 Short Bed
2011 Crusader 298BDS 5th Wheel
Reese 16K

bobndot
Explorer II
Explorer II
Use a soft long handle brush to clean it. Do not use a pressure washer as you could damage the fabric and cause it to leak.

rbpru
Explorer II
Explorer II
When we roll up our awning and it rains, water picks up the roof dirt and seeps in the end of the awning to creates dark streaks of dirt at the bottom of each roll layer across the awning.

By spring it is usually a bit moldy so I scrub it, let it dry, then roll it up.

The problem of course is every time it rains, some water seeps into the ends and the streaks reform, though not moldy or quite as dark.

I can of course re-clean it every time it rains but I have discovered that the awning gives just as much shade with the streaks, as it does without the streaks.

Be safe
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DutchmenSport
Explorer
Explorer
Normal.

trailer_newbe
Explorer II
Explorer II
In southern Arizon we rarely need to worry about this happening. Our awnings just burn in a few short years, then they are done.
2018 Jayco White Hawk 28RL

IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Explorer II
Normal thing,capillary action or wicking.It can be somewhat stopped by a cover.
Like the one smokedummy made it will also protect from the sun,it seems to keep mine dry.
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