Mold/Mildew Awning Cleanup

[scottyt24]

Hi All-

Noticed when unrolling the awning that there is a little mold build up. Obviously, I want to clean it off, but just curious on what others have done if the have had this issue too.

I was thinking just a bleach/water solution in a spray bottle and then scrub it off.

Any other ideas?

Thanks
Scott

[havnfun]

X2 on the bleach water in a spray bottle. But watch out for drips. First time I cleaned an awning several years ago as I was scrubbing underneath, the solution splashed on my new logo denim shirt. It's now my best work shirt. LOL

[Scoutr2]

I have always added bleach and green soap (dish soap would work too) to some water in a bucket. Wet the awning with a hose, then apply the bleach/soap/water mixture with a long-handled brush. Roll up the awning for about a half hour, then unroll and rinse. Some times I had to repeat and scrub a little harder on the stubborn spots. But it always comes out sparkling clean!

[Brownie]

I agree with Scoutr2. I used Dawn (blue) dish soap and bleach. I have a sponge mop that has a scrub brush built into the flip-side. I opened up the awning, retracted the arms so I could sponge off the top, then did the underside. Rolled it up wet, and scrubbed down the roof (with the same soap/bleach solution) while I let the awning soak. When I was done with the roof, I unrolled the awning, used the brush to scrub it off, then hosed it off & let it air dry. It turned out great! Only ran into one problem: I had an LED rope light attached to the trailer sidewall underneath the awning. I used the rope lite tracks, which came with the foam double-sided tape already applied. The bleach dissolved the glue on the tape. The next day, the tracks started falling off the sidewall. Within 3 days, all but two of the 7 tracks had fallen off. Pulled the rest off and picked up some "exterior/weather-proof" tape to replace it. It's one of the things on my "to do" list.

[TWP723]

We use Clorox Kitchen Cleaner W/Bleach. Works awesome. Just make sure you rinse THOROUGHLY!! Bleach can deteriorate the threads/stitching over time.

[adayfam]

Is this how you would clean the canvas as well?

[Mooseiamcdn]

Originally Posted by adayfam

Is this how you would clean the canvas as well?

I am looking for the same answer as adayfam.
I opened up our TT yesterday and discovered some mold on the overhead canvas to where we sleep.
I had the TT stored in our garage over the winter.

Thanks for your assistance into this disturbing discovery...

[Scoutr2]

If it the standard awning material, the bleach/soap solution will work. But I don't know about other types of materials. If it is another type of material, like canvas, or something similar like that used on a hybrid fold-out bed, I would contact the dealer and ask what they recommend.

[Mooseiamcdn]

Thanks much Mike.

Yes, it's the canvas overhead of the king size mattress area. it's not major amount of mould, but definitely not pretty to look at. other than for this small area, our TT is still in mint condition. Very frustrating as I thought I had stored the TT in good and dry condition. guess not .

Have a great summer of camping Mike. Thanks again,
Dean
Whitby ON Canada

[DocBrown]

Originally Posted by TWP723

Just make sure you rinse THOROUGHLY!! Bleach can deteriorate the threads/stitching over time.

This is exactly the reason I would caution against using any bleach solution. I did this on my old trailer for the first couple of seasons we had it and the awning stitching started to disintegrate near the roller by the 3rd year. I used some silicone caulking over the deteriorated stitching to preserve it and it held up fine. I had the trailer 10 years.

I use hot water and with some Oxyclean mixed in. It works great.

Alternatively you can use Simple Green. Also safe for the awning and effective on the mildew.


Dean, if it's on the canvas, then yes, you'll need to use a bleach solution. Many years ago my first pop-up had mold on the canvas. I was told by a dealer to use 2 buckets of water. One with 1 part bleach to 10 parts hot water, the other with plain hot water. Using a sponge soaked in the bleach water wipe in the affected area twice. Wait 5 minutes, follow with a clean sponge soaked in the plain water, twice. Repeat the process 2 or 3 times. Let it dry thoroughly. Redo any seams with seam sealer, respray waterproofing on the canvas. The later is not needed if you have vinyl covered canvas. This method may not get out dark stains, but it will clean up light mold stains, more important it will kill the mold and the smell.

[Mooseiamcdn]

Thanks so much Chuck...

Our 2013 Jayco 10' TT has mould on the vinyl covered canvas. I appreciate the feedback; it's reassuring to know there is this huge family of RV owners who are so helpful to those of us, who are relatively inexperienced when it comes to RV'ing, (even if it is in a TT) .
Alot more involved in camping responsibilities when we stepped up from tenting last summer! This is the start of our second season and i can see our young family getting 2-foot-itus (very similar to boating life). The TT is a great getaway for my wife, our two young boys and myself...I soon can see us trading in the minivan and TT for the next step up ...

Thanks again!

[Jagiven]

I have had really good luck with a product called “Spray Power”, it cost about $6.50/gal. I found it works best full strength. Spray it on, then I use my car wash brush with the long extension handle. Give it a scrub, roll up the awning, let it sit for a bit. Unroll it, scrub it again, and rinse. It works great. Spray Power also works great to remove bugs off the front cap and black streaks.

Good luck.