How to Clean Mold Off RV Awnings and Keep Them Clean

RVs are exposed to the elements whenever they’re in use or parked outdoors. That’s why many who have an RV awning have encountered mold and mildew on it over time. In today’s post, we’ll tell you how to clean mold off RV awnings and keep them from getting moldy again.

Why Do RV Awnings Develop Mold?

RV awnings are really useful, but just like anything else used outdoors, they get wet. Unless you keep your rig indoors just about all the time, it’s hard to keep the awning dry. Making things worse, they have to be rolled up for travel, even it rained right before we break camp (or while we’re in the process).

It’s easy to forget that we stowed an RV awning wet until we unrolled it again at another campsite. That’s when we’ll likely see that it’s still wet. Storing a wet awning on our RV allows mold and mildew to grow on the awning material over time. The combination of moisture, dirt, debris, bird droppings, leaves, and tree sap tends to create an ideal environment for mold & mildew to grow.

When you roll in your awning, any trapped moisture can lead to mold formation if it’s not properly addressed. However, regular cleaning and maintenance can help prevent this issue. Let’s look at how to effectively clean mold off RV awnings and then we’ll share some tips on keeping them clean and mold-free.

How to Remove Mold Stains From RV Awnings

If you’re already seeing signs of mold and mildew, you’ll need to remove the mold from your RV awning, and then we’ll talk about how to keep it from returning.

There are a few different ways to approach the cleaning process. Some people find dish soap and water work well, while others prefer a combination of vinegar and baking soda, or even a dedicated RV awning mold cleaner.

What works best for you may depend on the extent of the mold stains, sap, and other dirt and debris you’re dealing with and how long it’s been since you last cleaned your awning.

Materials Needed for Cleaning

Before you begin cleaning your RV awning, you’ll want to gather the following:

Ladder

Use caution when working on a ladder and, if possible, have someone with you for support (both literally and figuratively).

Rubber Gloves

It’s always good to use rubber gloves to protect your hands when doing any kind of RV maintenance tasks. We prefer disposable nitrile gloves.

Soft Brush or Broom

You may need some sort of soft brush or broom to remove loose dirt and debris from the awning.

Bucket

You’ll also need a bucket for mixing whatever cleaning solution you decide to use.

Mild Soap or RV Awning Cleaner

Be sure to avoid any harsh chemicals that can damage the fabric (or your RV’s finish). If you’ve got tough mold stains, you may want to use a solution of water, baking soda, and vinegar. You can also use a specialized RV awning cleaner, which is appropriate for cleaning vinyl awnings or acrylic awnings.

Otherwise, you can use a mild dish detergent or a good, mild car-washing soap in some warm water. Our personal favorite happens to be Meguiar’s Gold Class.

Soft-bristle Brush or Sponge

You’ll need a soft brush or sponge to scrub the awning. We prefer the same brush and extension pole we use to wash our entire rig.

Hose

And finally, you’ll need your garden hose, preferably with a spray nozzle, for rinsing the awning. If you have a pressure/power washer, it’s okay to use, as they save a lot of water. Just don’t hold it too close to the awning fabric, as the pressurized water could tear it. We carry our Kärcher pressure washer with us everywhere!

How to Clean Your RV Awning

Here’s how to remove mold and mildew from RV awnings:

1. Park your RV on a level surface.
2. Fully extend and secure your awning.
3. Remove all loose debris from the awning, using a broom or soft brush.
4. Mix your cleaning solution in a bucket. Start with about a gallon of water to dilute your mild detergent or baking soda & vinegar solution. If you’re using an RV awning cleaner, follow the directions on the container or spray bottle.
5. Dip your brush or sponge into the cleaning solution and gently scrub the awning, focusing on the mold or mildew stains, leaf stains, etc. Be gentle to avoid damaging the awning fabric.
6. If you have some heavy areas of mold, scrub or spray your cleaning solution onto those areas and let it sit for 15 minutes or more (longer for significant stains).
7. Use your water hose to thoroughly rinse the awning, removing all soap residue and debris until the water runs clear.
8. if stains persist after you’ve thoroughly rinsed the awning, repeat the scrubbing process.
9. Allow the awning to air dry completely before retracting it.

Here’s a neat tip:

Our friend Brian from RV with Tito sprayed the underside of his vinyl awning with Clorox CleanUp with Bleach. Then he rolled the awning closed and let it sit so the Clorox coated both sides. We thought that was pretty clever. Check out Brian’s video showing this tip to clean mold off RV awnings.

How to Prevent Mold Growth on an RV Awning

Now that you know how to get mold off an RV awning, it’s important to prevent any further mold growth. Here are some tips to help you keep your awning clean and mold-free:

Regular Inspections and Maintenance

Periodically inspect your awning for signs of mold or mildew growth. Catching it early can make cleaning so much easier.

Proper Storage

When your RV awning isn’t in use, retract your awning to keep it dry and prevent moisture buildup. Try not to retract your awning when it’s wet.

If you need to retract a wet awning in preparation for travel, fully extend it as soon as you get to your next destination, especially if the sun is shining. You want to dry out that awning as soon as possible. That single step is the most important way to prevent mold from growing.

Keep the Area Around Your RV Clean

Regularly sweep the area around your awning to prevent dirt and debris from accumulating. That dirt and debris can hold moisture, which is the single greatest cause of mold growth.

Check Your Awning Before Retracting It

Before retracting your awning, always check to make sure there are no leaves or other debris on the awning material. That’s especially true for slide topper awnings. This goes a long way toward preventing stains from forming and helps to keep mold and mildew at bay as well.

Use a Mold Inhibitor

If you have a significant issue with mold development on your RV awning, or if you tend to camp in damp/humid environments, consider using a mold inhibitor spray designed for RV awnings. Apply it according to the instructions.

By taking steps to clean your RV awning and implementing preventive measures to keep mold, mildew, and stains at bay, you can enjoy your RV awning while preserving its longevity and appearance. Regular care and attention go a long way.

Unfortunately, most OEM (original equipment) RV awnings are made with cheap fabric that can allow water to get between the layers, resulting in mold that can be hard to get rid of completely.

If your RV awning is in really poor condition, replacing the fabric may be the best option. If you’re wondering if your RV awning is ready to be replaced, you may be interested in our post “5 Signs Your RV Awning Needs Replacement.”

We recommend using quality replacement fabric like Tough Top Awnings. Their awning fabrics are strong and durable, and they’re single-layer. That won’t allow mold to grow between the layers, because there are no layers!

We’ve got lots of articles on awnings and slide toppers here, including articles on how to replace your awning fabric.

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