So How Do You Keep Your Awnings Clean? - Dutchmen Owners
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Dutchmen Owners > Dutchmen Brand RVs > General RV Related Discussions
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 11-09-2014, 07:49 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
ATCguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Cody
Posts: 1,764
Wyoming
So How Do You Keep Your Awnings Clean?

Seems like a simple enough question & topic, but I'm looking for any tips you guys may have about cleaning your awnings... specifically on how you remove stains and/or mildew on the underside on the awning.

I'm sitting outside as I type this, watching a football game on the exterior TV. As I look up at my awning, I'm seeing just how dirty the underside of it really is... particularly in the area near where it connects to the rig, I've got quite a bit of mildew.

Now of course, I can get the hose to spray it, and use a brush on a long pole to scrub it a bit... but I've done that before with very little success. And even the areas I have previously managed to clean pretty well, are filthy again within a few days.

I try to not roll them up when wet, but when I do... I always try to extend them again as soon as possible to let them dry out. Even still, I can see mildew marks along the axis from where it was rolled.

So is there anything that can be sprayed on the underside that'll soak in & penetrate the stains before simply dripping off... or am I going to have to remove them completely from the rig to get them clean?

Suggestions welcome...
__________________

__________________
Tom
2013 VOLTAGE 3200 (EPIC I & II)
2014 Ford F-450 PLATINUM
2018 BMW R1200GS RALLYE
ATCguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2014, 10:25 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Goshen
Posts: 363
Indiana
They are a nuisance! I've threatened to cut it off and throw it away. Never to be seen again. Although, I do live in the real world........the wife likes it and it gives good shade on those sunny days.

I spray a simple green or awning cleaner spray, real heavy, on the underneath where the mildew is. I spray top and bottom of awning all over. I scrub with a long handled semi-hard bristle brush. At times I've sprayed the simple green and rolled the awning back up for a little while to soak in. Don't know whether that helps any .............I still have to scrub it after.

Cleaning an awning is just one of those unpleasant chores. Sometimes its just easier to have another cold one and plan on doing it tomorrow..........if tomorrow ever comes.
__________________

__________________
Dave

2012 Dutchmen 3850RL
Infinityrver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2014, 10:27 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
wildwest450's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sparta
Posts: 1,726
Tennessee
I just spent a good hour or so scrubbing mildew off my brand new awning after it spent 6 weeks at the dealer, needlees to say I was overjoyed. I had some "specialty " mold remover that wouldn't touch it. Finally I tried some RV black streak and bug remover made by Thetford, it worked with some elbow grease and a softish brush.

I rolled out my awning about 2 feet at a time, washed(from a step ladder) and rinsed, and then another 2 feet. If I needed to really press on a spot, I was close enough to the outside roller to put some pressure on it, and tighten up the canopy. It's back to about 98%.
__________________
2014 Aerolite 213 RBSL
2016 Chevrolet Colorado
wildwest450 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2014, 11:19 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Dalzell
Posts: 714
South Carolina
I use a cheapie, "Mold & Mildew Stain Remover with Bleach" from Family Dollar. Maybe $2 for a 1qt spray bottle. Spray it on, wipe it off. No need to rinse. In fact, rinsing may add to your problem. Let it dry in the sun, and it'll be good until the next time it gets put away wet.
MartyG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2014, 12:04 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Nana & Poppy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Old Forge
Posts: 886
New York
We use Awesome from the Dollar Store - works for us!
__________________
Kathy & Leo ~Adirondack Mtn. Region of NY
2013 Rubicon 2900 Toy hauler
2010 Ford F-350 4x4 Lariat Dually Super Crew Diesel
Nana & Poppy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2014, 01:48 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
knesdad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: l
Posts: 431
Saskatchewan
I use Rubbermaid Mold & Mildew Remover. Wet the top side of the awning, spay on the Rubbermaid product, brush it around good and roll up the awning. Leave it rolled up for 10 minutes. Unroll it and hose it off and dry it off. That's what I do with good results. I sometimes use Goo-B-Gone on stubborn bug stains.

Dave.
__________________
Dave & Sue
Kiley & Emily
Izzie (Beagle/Bichon/Mini Poodle)
2012 Ford F150 XLT EB SS CRW 6.5 Max Tow
'12 Dutchmen Kodiak 284BHSL
knesdad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2014, 03:17 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houma
Posts: 244
Louisiana
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nana & Poppy View Post
We use Awesome from the Dollar Store - works for us!
X2. "Totally Awesome" lives up to its name.
__________________
2013 Voltage 3600 (sold)
Sinecure is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2014, 03:28 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Desert Hot Springs
Posts: 1,761
California
Like the winterizing post here is another one I don't have to worry about. What's mildew? I live in the desert.
__________________
Mike
2002 42' Monaco Signature Triple Crown tow 2014 F-150
2014 Voltage V3605 Sold 5/3/17
2012 F-350 6.7l CC 4X4, Sold 10/10/17
DesertRat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2014, 11:26 PM   #9
Site Team
 
wahoonc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Sprung Leak
Posts: 3,157
North Carolina
Quote:
Originally Posted by DesertRat View Post
Like the winterizing post here is another one I don't have to worry about. What's mildew? I live in the desert.
Around my part of the Deep South green stuff grows on the dog if he lays in one spot too long.

Aaron
__________________
There is madness to my methods
2015 Coleman CM16FBS(traded) 2016 Concord 300DS
2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid following along
wahoonc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2014, 11:18 PM   #10
New Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Floresville, Texas
Posts: 5
Texas
Quote:
Originally Posted by wahoonc View Post
Around my part of the Deep South green stuff grows on the dog if he lays in one spot too long.

Aaron
That's really funny and true!!
__________________

STTB is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dutchmen RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT. The time now is 06:14 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2020 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.
×