cleaning/keeping dry power awning

[leatherhead612]

Hey guys, I have a question on cleaning and then keeping dry power awning. I have read on this site to use a bleach solution to clean awning. I was wondering if bleach is to harsh a chemical to use on this fabric? Of course I would dilute it, but wondered if another type of solution is less harsh. Once I get it clean how can I keep it from building mildew again. I never stow it wet, but it obviously is developing mildew while it is retracted. Any ideas of how to prevent mildew while stowed? As always thanks for the tips.

[hddecker]

leatherhead612 wrote:
The awning is getting wet while rolled up. I have never put it away wet, yet there is always water in it when I unroll it. I didn't know if this was common?

It happens, water will find it's way into a rolled up awning.

For cleaning the whole camper, I use Simple Green. I buy a gallon of the concentrate and mix it for the job to be done.

[brulaz]

leatherhead612 wrote:
The awning is getting wet while rolled up. I have never put it away wet, yet there is always water in it when I unroll it. I didn't know if this was common?

Has always happened to mine. The rain somehow seeps in.

I make a point of unrolling mine to dry after a rainfall or every couple of weeks during the spr/sum/fall

[leatherhead612]

The awning is getting wet while rolled up. I have never put it away wet, yet there is always water in it when I unroll it. I didn't know if this was common?

[Mr__C]

Do not use ZEP Mold and Mildew cleaner! It does bad things to the vinyl...:R

[brulaz]

leatherhead612 wrote:
Yall have any ideas to keep it dry when its rolled up? When I unroll it, it has water in it from either the rain or humidity. I never put it up wet, but it seems to always have moisture in it when I unroll it.

I try unroll mine when sunny after a rainfall, or every couple of weeks, just to let it dry out.

Especially when it's warm and the mold can grow. Don't have to worry about it in the winter around here.

[Aluminum_Siding]

I pressure wash my whole trailer including the roof and awning monthly after each trip. I'm a bit OCD like a classic car guy polishing his ride every Saturday.

I simply soap up the top of the awning with the pressue washer. You could also use a soapy (car wash soap) mop with an extension handle. While it's soapy roll it up for 20 min. This will loosen the top and underside dirt. Unroll and rinse. I leave the awning open for half the day for it to dry completely before I roll it back up.

Again I simply pressure wash the top and bottom with only water monthly so it looks good as new. 303 Aerospace or any other UV Protectant will work to keep it nice and it helps to keep the mold off. Most people are not as anal retentive as I am. This is my second trailer. I've never had one speck of mold. You shouldn't as long as you roll it up perfectly dry. If I drive in rain or leave early while there is dew i'll unroll it to insure it dries out.

[leatherhead612]

Yall have any ideas to keep it dry when its rolled up? When I unroll it, it has water in it from either the rain or humidity. I never put it up wet, but it seems to always have moisture in it when I unroll it.

[old_guy]

a good way to apply the cleaner is unroll the awning and use a garden sprayer to apply the cleaner. I use one and roll the awning back up then when I unroll it I spray it again and use a soft brush on the awning to really deep clean it. to get the top simply drop the awning down so you can reach the top.

[2oldman]

leatherhead612 wrote:
Any ideas of how to prevent mildew while stowed?

I've always made sure mine was good and dry before storing. That's the only way I know of, unless you live in a humid climate.

[FrankShore]

Get some RV awning cleaner at WalMart (they're all about the same) Get the awning wet, spray it with the mixture and scrub it, roll the awning back up and wait 15 minutes, unroll it and rinse it off good.

I wouldn't use bleach!