Mildew on awnings

[buckeyejim]

I recently cleaned my awning, let it dry completely, even used 303 on it. This week end, I had mildew!

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to avoid mildew on the awnings?
:

[David472]

I just finished cleaning our awning for the first time since delivery in April. There were a few small spots of mildew starting. I used the Citrus Awning cleaner, which removed the mildew spots nicely. Now the question is, how long will it stay that way? Time will tell.

[Denise]

I don't get that either. We have washed our awning and it has completely dried throughout the 90 degree heat of a full day in the sun. Next time we open, we might have the start of mildew or some kind of dirt strung along the length of the awning about every 2 feet or so. Looking forward to other input of this thread

[David472]

Here is the reason for using a Citrus cleaner;
it is mildly acidic, which will kill the mildew growth.
Most detergents are mildly alkaline, which will tend to promote mildew growth.
Use a Citrus based cleaner.

[Murphie]

David thank you very much for the info. I wondered if it had anything to do with the ph levels but wasn't sure.
One post I read here , mentioned that you could spray your awning and then roll it up and leave it for a while. Unroll it and rinse it off. I thought that was really clever. Is there a brand of cleaner that you use with the citrus additive?

[David472]

I used the Magic Boss awning cleaner

http://www.bosstechnology.ca/21-10-e...g_Cleaner.html

Like I said, this is the first time I have used this cleaner. In the good old days, circa 1977, we used bleach to get rid of mildew. No other standard cleaner worked. In present day, this seems to be a more gentle approach to kill the mildew.

[chas111]

Can you get Magic Boss in the states?

[David472]

Not sure about that. They advertize in Canadian RV magazines, but have not seen their ad in Trailer Life, which is a USA magazine.

[mustang]

I have another awning question. WE have cleaned the mildew as well but now we discover that every time the awning gets wet from rain while the awning is rolled up water still gets inside the awning and causes mildew. We have started opening the awning more and letting it dry but why does water get into the awning while rolled up and is there anything we can do or is this just the nature of the awning.

[jayco32rls]

I use "Spray Nine" on the vinyl seats in my boat and it works great. According to the instructions the more you use it the more it protects against mildew. I have not used it on my TT awning but if it works on the awning like it does on my boat seats it should do a good job. http://www.spraynine.com/product/marine-spray-nine-664

[mcfarmall]

Originally Posted by mustang

I have another awning question. WE have cleaned the mildew as well but now we discover that every time the awning gets wet from rain while the awning is rolled up water still gets inside the awning and causes mildew. We have started opening the awning more and letting it dry but why does water get into the awning while rolled up and is there anything we can do or is this just the nature of the awning.

My guess would be capillary action from the exposed ends of the rolled up awning. Mine iis stained slightly in about 24" from each end.