How Clean An Awning On A Camper

If you have your very own camper, then you will be well aware of all the different areas that you need to clean on your camper as part of its regular maintenance. Ensuring that your camper’s awning is clean is critical to ensure that the awning does not become damaged and unusable.

But if you are new to owning a camper, then knowing how to clean the awning can be tricky. 

Thankfully, if you find yourself experiencing this dilemma, you are in the right place. In this guide, we’re taking a look at how to clean an awning on a camper. Including what you need for the job, and a step-by-step guide that will get your awning looking as good as new. 

So, if you want to find out more, keep on reading!

What Is A Camper Awning?

First things first, let’s quickly establish exactly what we are talking about when we say camper awning. Most camper vans come with an awning, they are an attachment that are built onto the campervan, essentially allowing you to have an area to the side of your camper where you will be able to sit undercover. 

Essentially, an awning is a type of canopy. Most awnings will be rolled up inside a cassette which is then permanently mounted and attached to your campervan. When you park up your campervan in an RV spot, you can then unroll the awning and fix it in place.

This gives you more living space in your campervan, and a place to enjoy the outdoors while you are eating. 

Typically, camper awnings will be manually rolled out or wound out using a cranked handle. However, some camper awnings will be attached to a motor, which allows you to roll out the awning with much less effort.

It is incredibly common for campers to have an awning, and many people will attach one to their RV if it doesn’t already have one, simply because of the benefits associated with having an awning.

What Do You Need To Clean A Camper Awning?

So, now that we have established exactly what we mean when we refer to a camper awning, let’s take a look at some of the tools that you will need to clean your camper awning. 

The things that you will need to clean your camper awning include:

• A cleaning solution (this could be soap and water or an RV awning cleaner). 
• A spray bottle.
• A hose pipe (connected to water).
• Plenty of time. 
• A sunny day. 

Cleaning your camper awning is incredibly important. This is something that you should do fairly regularly as failure to do this could really damage your camper awning. Your camper awning will be exposed to the elements whenever you use it, and this can cause it to become dirty.

This dirt could damage your awning and prevent you from using it again in the future. 

Likewise, when you use your awning, it may get wet. Before you set off home from wherever you’ve been camping, you may be unable to wait for it to dry out. In some cases, this could cause mold to form on your awning.

Cleaning it regularly will ensure that this mold is removed, and no more damage occurs to your awning. So, let’s take a look at how to clean an awning on a camper. 

How To Clean An Awning On A Camper

Thankfully, cleaning your camper’s awning is super simple. To make it easier, we have outlined everything that you need to do in just 5 steps. So here is what you need to do. 

Step 1 – Prepare Your Cleaning Solution

The first thing that you need to do is prepare the cleaning solution that you will use to clean the awning on your camper. As we have mentioned, you can use a cleaner that is specifically designed for an RV awning, but soap and water works just as well. 

To prepare a soap and water solution, all you need to do is find a spray bottle, ensure that it is empty of whatever was in it previously (swill it out with water to do this), and then start mixing. Simply add 2 parts soap to 8 parts water and then mix it.

Depending on the size of the bottle, you may simply be able to do this by shaking the bottle. 

Dish soap is a popular choice as it is a mild and sensitive soap that is unlikely to cause any damage to your awning or camper. 

Step 2 – Start Spraying

With your spray bottle in hand, the first thing that you need to do is start spraying the underside of your awning. The easiest way to access the entire underside of your awning is to spray it while your awning is extended and fixed in place. 

When you start spraying, ensure that you cover the entire surface and do not miss any areas in the process. 

Step 3 – Roll Up the Awning

Then, you should roll up your awning. You should do this no matter whether your awning is automatic or manual. Once the awning is rolled up, leave it retracted with the mixture on it for 30 minutes to one hour. 

Step 4 – Wash Away the Soap

After this time has passed, you should unroll your awning and fix it back in place so that you can access the entire underside. Take your hose pipe, turn the water on and use your hose pipe to clean the soap solution from the top and underside of your awning. 

Step 5 – Leave It to Dry

Finally, once you have rinsed the soap solution away, simply leave your awning up for a couple of hours. This allows the sunshine to dry out the awning. Once it is dry, you can roll the awning away again.

Summary

In short, cleaning the awning on your camper is actually pretty simple. It doesn’t take very long, and it is a very small thing to have to do to keep your awning in good condition. We have discussed how to clean your awning in the guide above. 

Thanks for reading!