Cleaning an RV awning might sound simple—until you’re two hours in, balancing on a wobbly stepladder, scrubbing stubborn black streaks with dish soap and getting absolutely nowhere. I’ve been there. That first failed attempt (15 years ago!) taught me the hard way that not all cleaning methods—or products—are created equal.
Since then, I’ve cleaned hundreds of awnings, tested every technique under the sun, and developed a go-to process that saves time, effort, and frustration. Whether you’ve got a vinyl or acrylic awning, this guide covers everything you need: from choosing the right cleaning products to my signature “roll-up method” that does most of the work for you.
Let’s get started with the gear you’ll need—and the common mistakes you’ll want to avoid.
Here's something the salesperson probably glossed over when you bought your rig: your awning material makes a huge difference in how you should clean it.
I once had a customer who followed a vinyl-cleaning tutorial on his acrylic awning and ended up with a bigger mess than when he started!
RV awnings typically come in two types:
Vinyl awnings are the old-school option, mostly found on older RVs. They're completely waterproof (think plastic raincoat), pretty durable, and generally easier to clean. The downside? They can crack and get brittle if not properly maintained. I had a vinyl awning on my first travel trailer that lasted 12 years before Arizona sun finally turned it into something resembling ancient parchment.
Acrylic awnings (sometimes called fabric or canvas awnings) are what you'll find on most newer RVs. They're breathable (like a canvas tent) and naturally resist mildew better than vinyl. The catch? They're slightly porous, which makes deep cleaning more challenging. My current fifth wheel has an acrylic awning that's survived three years of full-time use and still looks great—but only because I clean it regularly.
Not sure which type you have? Run your hand along the underside. Vinyl feels smooth and plastic-like, while acrylic has a slightly textured, fabric feel. Or check your RV's documentation—the answer is usually hiding in there somewhere.
After years of backbreaking scrubbing (and listening to my wife tell me "there must be a better way"), I finally developed what I call the "roll-up technique."
This approach has saved me countless hours and has become my signature method that I share at RV rallies nationwide.
The basic idea is brilliantly simple: instead of scrubbing both sides separately, you apply cleaner to both sides, then roll up the awning halfway.
This traps the cleaning solution against both surfaces simultaneously and lets chemistry do the work instead of your arms. The first time I tried this method, I laughed out loud at how much easier it made the job.
But before we dive into the step-by-step, let's gather what you'll need.
Pro tip: Skip the household cleaners. I once used laundry detergent on my awning because I forgot my proper cleaner, and it stripped away the protective coating. That mistake cost me $400 in water damage repairs after the next rainstorm. Lesson learned!
First things first—extend that awning fully. I know it seems obvious, but I once had a neighbor who tried cleaning his awning while it was partially retracted. Let's just say the results were... uneven.
Make sure your awning is properly secured, especially if there's even a hint of wind. Nothing ruins your day faster than a sudden gust turning your extended awning into a sail. I learned this lesson the hard way during a cleaning session in Texas when a surprise wind nearly turned my awning into an impromptu hang glider.
Clear everything from underneath—chairs, tables, your favorite grilling setup. Your stuff will get wet, and you'll be dancing around obstacles instead of focusing on cleaning.
If you're using a ladder, make sure it's on stable ground. My brother-in-law once placed his ladder on what looked like solid ground, only to discover it was covering a small irrigation box. The resulting tumble became legendary at family gatherings.
Before applying any cleaning products, give your awning a good rinse with plain water. This removes loose dirt, bird droppings (why do they always target RV awnings?), and tree sap.
Use your soft brush to gently sweep away any leaves, twigs, or debris from the top. Work from the RV outward to avoid pushing dirt into the roller mechanism. I once skipped this step and ended up grinding dirt particles into the fabric, creating tiny abrasions that eventually led to leaks.
A gentle spray with your garden hose is all you need here—avoid pressure washers! I had a customer who thought his pressure washer would make quick work of his dirty awning. It did—along with creating several small holes that turned his awning into a very expensive shower during the next rainstorm.
Now for the fun part! Grab your Star Brite RV Awning Cleaner and apply it generously to both sides of the awning. I prefer using a spray bottle for more controlled application, but you can also apply it with a soft brush.
Start with the top side, making sure to cover the entire surface. Pay special attention to visible stains or mildew spots. Then move to the underside, which typically has more mildew since it gets less sunlight. Don't be stingy with the cleaner—proper coverage is key to the next step working effectively.
Remember that time I mentioned my first cleaning attempt with dish soap? That's because proper RV awning cleaners contain specific ingredients that break down the unique combination of dirt, mildew, and environmental contaminants that collect on awnings. Regular household cleaners just don't cut it.
Here's where my technique differs from what you'll find in most RV manuals:
After applying cleaner to both sides, partially retract the awning—roll it up about halfway. This forces the cleaning solution into the fabric and allows it to work on both sides simultaneously. It's like creating a cleaning sandwich, with your awning as the bread and the cleaning solution as the filling.
Now, here's the really important part: walk away. Go enjoy a cold beverage, take a 15-20 minute walk, or catch up on your favorite RV blog (ahem). This dwell time is crucial—it allows the cleaning solution to break down all that gunk without you having to scrub your arms off.
I discovered this technique by accident during a cleaning session when my wife called me in for lunch. When I came back 20 minutes later and unrolled the awning, I was shocked to see how much dirt had already loosened without any scrubbing!
After your 15-20 minute break, extend the awning again. You'll likely notice that most of the dirt and mildew has already loosened. For any stubborn spots that remain, now is the time for some light scrubbing with your soft-bristled brush.
The key word here is "light"—especially with acrylic awnings. I use about the same pressure I would to pet a cat—enough to make contact, but not enough to annoy it. Aggressive scrubbing can damage the awning material and affect its water-repellent properties.
Focus only on the areas that still show staining. After the roll-up method, this should be minimal. The Adjust-A-Brush with its extension handle is perfect here—it lets you reach the middle of the awning without stretching or straining.
If you still have mildew stains after the general cleaning (common in humid climates), it's time to bring out the big guns. Apply a specialized mildew remover directly to those stubborn black spots.
I once had an awning with mildew so bad it looked like someone had played connect-the-dots on it. The Best Mildew Stain Remover worked wonders when nothing else would touch it. Apply it directly to the stains, let it work for 5-10 minutes, and then gently scrub if needed.
A word of caution from someone who learned the hard way: test any mildew remover on a small, inconspicuous area first. I once used a harsh mildew remover without testing, and it left a slightly discolored spot that was visible when the sun shone through the awning.
Now it's time for a complete rinse. Use your garden hose to thoroughly wash away all cleaning solution residue. This step is crucial—any cleaner left on the fabric will attract dirt and can cause premature deterioration.
Start from the RV side and work your way outward, ensuring all soap and loosened dirt flows away from the vehicle. Pay special attention to the edges and seams, which can trap cleaning solution.
I'm particularly obsessive about rinsing because I once rushed this step before a road trip. By the time we reached our destination three states away, the residual cleaner had attracted so much highway dust that the awning looked worse than before I cleaned it!
This final step separates the RV pros from the amateurs. Leave your awning fully extended until it's completely dry. Retracting a wet or damp awning is an engraved invitation for mildew to set up shop.
If you have an acrylic awning, consider applying a water repellent treatment like Star Brite Waterproofing Spray after it's bone dry. This helps restore the water-resistant properties of the fabric. Skip this for vinyl awnings—they're already waterproof, and the treatment won't adhere properly.
Once everything is dry, do a final inspection for any missed spots or areas that might need additional attention. I like to do this late afternoon when the sun hits the awning at an angle—it makes it easier to spot any remaining issues.
I used to be terrible about awning maintenance until a $1,200 replacement bill changed my attitude.
Now I follow these simple practices:
Whenever it rains, I give my awning a quick rinse with plain water afterward. Rainwater leaves dirt deposits that build up over time. This literally takes two minutes and saves hours of deep cleaning later.
Even if my awning doesn't look dirty, I give it a monthly rinse with plain water. Prevention is much easier than cure—a lesson I wish I'd learned before that expensive replacement.
I'm religious about making sure my awning is completely dry before retracting it. Even slightly damp fabric can develop mildew within days. I once made this mistake before storing my RV for just two weeks, and returned to find black spots that took hours to remove.
I've developed a simple rule: if I'm leaving my campsite, the awning gets retracted. Period. After witnessing a neighbor's awning get ripped off by an unexpected wind gust (while they were just making a quick store run), I never take chances.
Tree sap is the nemesis of RV awnings everywhere. Last summer, I parked under what I thought was a nice shady pine tree, only to discover it was secretly dripping sap onto my awning.
For this sticky situation:
Water stains often appear as dark streaks, especially on lighter-colored awnings. These are usually mineral deposits from hard water.
My simple solution:
I discovered this trick after noticing similar stains on my shower door at home and realizing the same solution might work on my awning. It did!
UV exposure will eventually cause awning colors to fade. While you can't completely prevent this, you can slow it down:
My own awning faded significantly during one season of full-time RVing in the Southwest. Now I'm much more diligent about retracting it when we're not outside.
A clean, well-maintained awning doesn't just look better—it lasts longer and functions better. My roll-up cleaning method has saved me countless hours of scrubbing over the years, and I hope it does the same for you.
Remember that regular maintenance is far easier than tackling severely neglected awnings. By incorporating these cleaning steps into your regular RV maintenance routine, you'll extend the life of your awning and enhance your outdoor living space for years to come.
The next time you're relaxing under your clean, beautiful awning with a cold drink in hand, you can thank me. Happy camping and clean awnings to you!
I’m Bill Rowell, the founder of RVupgrades.com. In 2002, I launched the business to help fellow RV enthusiasts find unique and hard-to-find products. Over the years, it’s grown to offer more than 15,000 items, with a warehouse in Eastlake, Ohio. Having owned and repaired nearly every type of RV, I bring over two decades of hands-on experience to the table. For me, this isn’t just a business—it’s a passion and a way of life that I love sharing with the RV community.
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