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An RV’s awning is an important accessory that should be maintained if you want it to last longer and remain looking good. Without cleaning, dirt, mud, and even mold, mildew, and other microorganisms can coat the fabric surface causing ragged stains, bad smells, and even destruction.
Thus, regularly cleaning an RV awning helps to avoid cracks developing in the material and fading, and any health threats caused by living dust particles. If you want to keep your RV awning good for a long time, we have got your back. Read on!
What’s The Need For Cleaning An RV Awning?
When you clean your awning, it helps to make it look good and last longer. The awning can trap dirt, mold and mildew, bird poop, and gunk over time. This can make the fabric weak, stinky, and stained- which looks awful.
If you don’t clean it off with the right cleaner for RV awning, it can leave marks that are hard to remove and might even make the material crack or rip.
Mold and mildew can also harm your health because tiny bits can float in the air when you open or close the awning. Regularly cleaning your awning not only makes it look nice but also prevents you from having to buy a new one or fix it.
This is because cleaning helps the fabric stay strong and keeps water out.
RV Awning Cleaning Tips: Step-by-Step Guide
If you want to keep your RV awning good for long, here are a few tips that you can follow with proper steps:
Get Your Space Ready
Find a spot with good airflow to park your RV. Make sure you have room to open the awning all the way. Check that nothing’s in the way and you can reach water. Pull out the awning.
Look it over for any signs of damage before you start cleaning. This helps you avoid making any problems worse as you work.
Give It a Good Rinse
Grab a garden hose with a soft spray setting to clean both sides of the awning well, removing loose dirt and dust. Begin at the top and let the water run down, which stops dirty water from settling on the fabric again.
This first wash prepares the awning for a deeper clean by loosening any stuck-on grime.
Put on Awning Cleaner
Spray an appropriate awning cleaner across the surface to cover it. Give close attention to areas with major stains and mold growth.
When using a homemade solution, mix it up really well. Apply the cleaner to the awning and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Depending on the stain, you can go longer, but don’t let it dry out, as it can weaken the fabric and be rough to clean up.
Scrub the Awning Gently
A brush with a soft bristle really helps with awnings. Begin scrubbing gently in a circular motion. Focus on one area at a time and remove the stain. Make sure not to harm the fabric in the process.
Stain or soiled spots should be treated with extra care, but avoid applying too much pressure. This will help prevent fraying or tearing of the fabric.
Rinse and Repeat Until Good
Use a hose or pressure nozzle to rinse the whole awning. Make sure you get rid of all the cleaning stuff. If you still see dirt or marks, do the cleaning again. Use more cleaner and scrub.
Look for any tough spots that might need extra work before you give it a final rinse. If you’re using a pressure nozzle, don’t apply too much pressure in one area.
Let the Awning Get Dry
Give the awning time to dry in the air before you fold it up. This stops moisture from getting trapped, which could cause mold to grow. On a sunny day, it might dry in just a couple of hours.
Shady spots might take longer. Check both sides to ensure it’s dry before you put it away.
Choosing the Right Cleaner for RV Awnings
Picking the best cleaner is key to keeping your awning fabric in good shape for a long time. You will find general cleaners for RV awnings available in the market, made for all kinds of awning fabrics.
However, how you use them matters the most. They can clean any stains, mold, mildew, and so on. To avoid confusion, we’ll show you the methods for different fabrics used in an awning.
Vinyl
Always mix cleaners with cold water when working with vinyl. For homemade options, refrain from mixing acetone. Instead, use dish soap, as it is gentler. Vinyl fabrics don’t do the best with vinegar or ammonia, so a dish soap mixture works just fine.
Acrylic and Canvas
To speed up the cleaning, mix the cleaner with warm water. For homemade options, use acetone to break down tougher stains. You can also use an ammonia, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide solution to remove stains from the awning. Just make sure to dilute it with water, using a 1:1 ratio.
Some Tips To Remember:
One safety guideline to highlight is that you should never mix ammonia and bleach, as this can produce a toxic gas.
To save money and help the planet, try using break-down cleaners. These are made with natural ingredients that won’t hurt the ground if they wash off.
Products that are good for the environment also tend to be gentler on clothes, helping them maintain their feel and last longer.
Checking the cleaning instructions before buying a cleaner is also a great move. Always do a patch test on a small, unnoticeable area of the awning. It can help you protect the color and longevity of the fabric.
Homemade RV Awning Cleaner Recipes
If you want to stick to a DIY solution, we have solutions for that as well. Here are some options to choose from:
Vinegar with Baking Soda Magic
This method is quite popular because of the fizzy reaction between these two chemicals.
However, this solution becomes neutral at one point because baking soda is an alkaline salt, and vinegar is an acid. These two react together to form salt and water. A bit of science there.
So, we recommend using them separately. Mix one part vinegar with one part water, spray on the awning, and let it sit. Then, go in with a heavy sprinkle of baking soda and use a brush to scrub the stain away.
This way, you can get both the power of the elements without neutralizing them.
Dish Soap and Lemon Juice Cleaner
Mix two tablespoons of mild dish soap with half a cup of lemon juice and one gallon of warm water.
Lemon juice removes stains and odors. Spray this solution on your awning, scrub it, and rinse well for a clean, fresh result.
For better results, first, go over the stain with the lemon juice separately, let it sit, and then use dish soap and warm water on it.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Water
Combine one portion of hydrogen peroxide with four portions of water in a spray container. Hydrogen peroxide excels at eliminating stubborn stains and possesses antibacterial qualities.
Apply it to stained or soiled areas, allow it to remain for ten minutes, scrub, and wash with water to uncover a clean surface. Use this method only for acrylic and canvas fabrics though.
Preventative Tips to Keep Your RV Awning Clean Longer
Now, we will share some tips that will keep your recreational vehicle’s awning clean for a long time so you won’t have to go through much hassle often!
Brush Off Debris Often
After each trip, sweep leaves, dust, and other debris off the awning to stop the buildup that can stain it. Use a soft brush or microfiber cloth to keep the fabric from wearing down and to maintain the awning’s fresh look.
Dry the Awning Completely Before Storing
You must dry the awning before you roll it up. This helps to keep mold and mildew away. If you live somewhere where it’s really humid, open up the awning and dry it completely before storing it.
Apply a Fabric Protectant
To keep your awning lasting longer, apply a protectant. This helps to protect it from sun damage caused by UV rays. It also helps to add a waterproof film that keeps it away from moisture and water damage.
Don’t Use Harsh Cleaners or Tools
Rough cleaners and stiff brushes can harm the awning fabric. Stick to soft brushes, mild soaps, or awning-specific products to keep the fabric in good shape and looking nice for a long time.
Inspect Mold and Mildew Growth
These little suckers can spread quickly if you leave it be. They’re a huge red flag in damp, humid areas. So, keep looking for signs every few months. If you clean it right then, you can have a long-lasting, fresh awning.
Park in a Covered or Shady Spot
Put your RV under a shady or covered area to cut down on direct sun and tough weather when you can. A cover keeps dirt and trash off, so you won’t need to clean as often, and your awning will last longer.
Bottom Line
To maintain the longevity of your RV awning and avoid costly repairs or replacements in the future, regular cleaning an RV awning is advisable. It is advisable to start with the basics of hosing the awning down, applying gentle cleaners, and gently scrubbing dirt or stains that may have built up.
As long as these cleaning measures are done, the awning remains clean and does not lose its functionality and the customers fasten their RV awning to the barb of a tent easily when they need it next for their trip.
