Awning cleaning question

[Donedroolin]

So was wondering how many of you use the bleach water trick to clean your awning. I had a manual awning on my old trailer. I remember back in 2008 I was at a campground (camp waubeeka in fact) trying to clean my awning. Then I heard a voice yelling young man what are you doing, it was this old timer been camping for like 50 years. He said why are you wasting your camping time trying to clean that awning. Wait he said go home and before you wash your camper make a solution of half water half bleach. Spray it on your awning roll it up for 20 minutes open it up hose it off and it would look like new. Well I was skeptical but tried before I washed the camper and very carfefull how I applied it, I use a pump sprayer. Wow when I opened it like brand new awesome. So I would always before I washed it do this then I would wash the entire camper including the awning from top to bottom. It worked great. So I was wondering if anyone tried this with the power awnings. Mine is still new but they get moldy fast. Or has anyone else heard of this. My 07 looked like new when I traded her in.

[tlhdoc]

I have heard of using bleach and detergent to clean your awning that way, but my awning says NOT to use bleach, so I don't.

[lx22f/c]

I never use bleach on anything vinyl...
I was told it eats the stitching...
Just my.02

[mach8274]

I use stuff called Zep...it's a mildew remover and works great. I bought it at my RV dealer. I asked them the best stuff to use and he handed me this bottle. My awning looks like it's brand new for $11.99!!

[Jagiven]

I use a product called “Spray Power”. It is a liquid soap, similar to Simple Green, but works way better. I spray it on and roll up the awning for 20 minutes to an hour. Unroll and spray down with clean water. That’s it. I have always been told not to use bleach.

[3happycampers]

I use a product called Awesome. It can be picked up at the dollar store. Dilute as recommended, Spray it on, roll it up for 20 minutes, roll out, spray off.

[Spike99]

.

I visit my local store and buy generic awning cleaner. I then visit my local Dollar store and buy a soft hand brush. With my shop glasses on, I then spray and scrub - while standing on a little stool. Only take 2 hours to manually clean. And best of all, being a T2 Diabetic, my BG numbers vertically drop downwards (due to my arms above my head). Thus, less "D" drugs to force my BG numbers with meds.

This works for me. And, do damage to stitching or awning material.

[Threebutchers]

Has anyone tried one of those "Magic Erasers?

[drfife]

I cleaned my awning on my last trailer with a mix of Clorox and detergent like Dawn Blue Ultra.

Sprayed it on with a pump sprayer, rolled it up, wait 15 minutes, unroll and rinse.

Never caused a problem. I had the camper for 10 years.

[tlhdoc]

Originally Posted by Threebutchers

Has anyone tried one of those "Magic Erasers?

Yes I use them to clean my awning. I still use awning cleaner and a brush, but scrub any stains with the Magic Erasers. They are great for getting bugs off the front of the camper.


What you can use to clean your awning depends on what your awning is made of.

[Fil564]

I looked into the Zep Mildew remover and it has bleach in it, I have come across the Totally Awesome product before but was hesitant to use since it did not mention removing mildew. It would be nice to be able to spray something on and roll it up and wash it off rather than fighting the ladder and scrubbing method when you do not have that much room to do it in.

[imaynard]

I use the bleach / water solution also. Everything you read will tell you not to use the bleach, but q-tips are also not to be used for cleaning your ears (go figure). I also use the same solution to clean the vinyl siding on my house - nothing beats it!

My wife's grand-father has been camping for 40+ years, and has always used the bleach / water solution. In reading your original post, I was imagining him as being the one who told you about it to begin with. Sounds like him!!

[jaycojones]

i am so glad we saw this...we made the 50/50 bleach/water solution...sprayed it on...the TT is used and the awning was green and black with all the stuff growing on it....rolled it up for 20 mins and sprayed it off and it was so clean....we did it one more time and now its looks brand new...thanks for the info! much better than scrubbing!

[krackeer]

I read here somewhere that you should mix 1/4 cup bleach and 1/4 cup dish soap in a 5 gallon bucket of water , put in on, roll it up for about 1 hour then rinse off. Haven't tried it yet, but next weekend I am going to give it a try. I might throw in some awning cleaner I bought last year(which I wasn't happy with the results) as good measure.

[Donedroolin]

This trick has always worked for me. I have not tied it on the new one yet. But I to have tried allot of those spray cleaners and had no luck. I am glad this trick has helped people.

[TCNashville]

I just got back from my first trip out and used the bleach/ water solution to clean my awning. Applied it with a soft brush and rolled it up for about 2 hours. Unrolled it and hosed it off, it looks great except for some red spots that won't go away no matter what I do. Anybody else have the dreaded "red" spots and what did you do. Also did my slide covers. Unfortunately I had a blue T-shirt on which is now spotted nicely.

[TexasA&M]

How exactly do you guys go about applying the solution (whichever you use)? Do you get up on the roof and spray it on, or spray it from the bottom as you roll it up?

[nolanskii]

I would use a cheap pump garden sprayer.

[Donedroolin]

That is how I apply my solution with a garden pump sprayer. Do the awning when you know you wanna wash the whole camper.