Best RV Awning Cleaners (Our Top 6 Picks)

You have the camping chairs, the groceries put away, all the hookups connected, the kids are entertained, the dog is snoozing, and it is time to unroll that vinyl awning and enjoy some much-needed shade finally.

However, you find that last season the awning wasn’t as dry as you thought and has spent the last few months growing mold and mildew.

Not only does it look bad, but the smell is enough to wake the dog!  

Cleaning up a moldy, mildew-covered awning can be tough, nasty work, and you may struggle to get rid of those stubborn stains if you don’t have the right cleaner.

Don’t worry; we’ve compiled a list of the best RV awning cleaners we think will do you most of the heavy cleaning.  All you need to do is spray and rinse the grime away!

Best RV Awning Cleaners

Star Brite Mildew Stain Remover

Star Brite Mildew Stain Remover is made in America and comes in two sizes.  A 16oz spray bottle, which would be perfect for storing in your RV, or a gallon-sized bottle more suitable for storing in your garage.

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The stain remover can be sprayed directly on stains and should work without too much scrubbing.  It contains a buffered-bleach technology for outdoor use on things like acrylic fabrics or upholstery.

It will not harm thread or stitching, but it should not be used on wood or painted surfaces. 

Based on the reviews, this cleaner works exactly as advertised.  Most users say you just spray it on the mildew, wait until the stain disappears, and then rinse off whatever you’ve sprayed. Really tough stains may require a small amount of light scrubbing or a second application. 

Camco ProStrength Awning Cleaner

Camco ProStrength Cleaning Products are very popular, and the Camco Prostrength Awning Cleaner is no different.

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It’s a budget-friendly cleaner with the most affordable price of all the cleaners on our list, which comes in a 32-ounce or a gallon-sized bottle without a spray nozzle.

This professional strength cleaner is just what you need when removing mold stains, dirt, tree sap, and road grime.  It can even help restore the appearance of RV awnings. 

Some things to note, this cleaner is safe for all fabrics, but it may discolor darker-colored awnings and should not be used on rubber. 

Thetford Premium Awning Cleaner

Thetford’s Premium RV Awning Cleaner for RV or Home Awnings is a versatile cleaner that can be used on all vinyl and fabric awnings for cleaning and protecting against UV damage.

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It is chlorine-free and can be used on fabric, vinyl, and plastic.  Because it is bleach and bleach substitute free, it is also safe to use on colored fabrics. It comes in a 32 oz spray bottle or 64 oz and gallon-sized bottles.  

The cleaner is safe to use in many places, such as shower stalls, the outside of your RV, your boat, or on surfaces such as rubber, vinyl, and plastic.  Thetford’s is great for removing tough stains, bird droppings, and bugs.  Simply spray, wait a few minutes, then wipe off.  

In one review, a user notes that it works great on recent stains but not to let them stay too long because the cleaner has a harder time removing older stains, especially ones that have been in the sun for a while. 

RMR Instant Mold Mildew Stain Remover

RMR Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover are ready to use in a 32 oz spray bottle, 1 gallon, or 2.5 gallon-sized bottle. It is safe for indoor or outdoor use and claims to remove stains in as little as 10 seconds!

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This cleaner removes not only deep-seated stains but also clears unwanted odors usually left behind by other cleaners.  All you have to do is spray the stains you want to be removed and then wipe them clean.  

Unlike some of the other mold and mildew stain removers on our list, this one is safe on many surfaces such as bathtubs, decks, wood, vinyl siding, drywall, concrete floors, brick, tile, and anywhere mold and mildew can grow, including your RV awning.  

This cleaner has over 35,000 product reviews and still maintains a 4.5-star average!

30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner

30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner cleans stains caused by organic growth such as algae, mold, mildew, and moss.

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It is meant for outdoor use only and, when used as directed, is safe to use near or on your lawn as it will not harm plants and works quickly and breaks down in the soil.  All you need to do is spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, then hose it off.  

This made-in-America cleaner comes in a 32 oz container with a hose-end spray bottle, a 32 oz spray bottle, or a gallon of concentrate solution.  With 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner, you can say goodbye to power washing!

Some users report a strong bleach smell when using this product, so be sure you’re in a well-ventilated area before using.  

Korkay Awning Cleaner

Korkay Awning Cleaner comes in a 32 oz spray bottle or a gallon-sized jug.  It is made in America and is perfect for removing road grime and black streaks from your RV, trailer, or boat.  The cleaner is simple to use; just spray, brush clean, and rinse! 

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It is safe on painted surfaces, gel coats, fiberglass, hard vinyl, soft vinyl, rubber, decals, and pinstriping.  It will clean the outside of your RV from top to bottom, including your awning. You could use it to clean your boat, trailer, or car.  

This product has a lot of really positive product reviews on amazon, but it also had the most negative reviews (still very few when compared to the positive ones), so it is worth noting that some customers felt they had to scrub more than the bottle lets on. 

Homemade RV Awning Cleaner

If you would rather not spend money buying one of the RV awning cleaners recommended above, then you are in luck. It’s not difficult at all to make your RV awning cleaner.

Mix 1 gallon of water with one quart of white vinegar, add one squeeze of Dawn dish soap, and there you have it. Your very own DIY RV awning cleaner.

To check out more recipes and for a thorough rundown of cleaning your RV awning, check out this article by RV Blogger.

Tips for Using RV Awning Cleaners

Remember that some of these cleaners come in concentrated form and must be diluted before use.  Cleaners bought in the concentrated form will require you to purchase a separate empty bottle for the diluted spray.

Be sure when cleaning with powerful cleaners like these that you read the instructions thoroughly and protect your skin, eyes, and surroundings as directed.  Don’t forget to be in a well-ventilated area before beginning. 

Now that we have all the safety measures covered, we know having to clean mold, mildew, bug splatters, black stains, or leaf stains isn’t exactly going to be the highlight of your trip. Still, with any of these fantastic products, you should be able to quickly clean off those annoying stains and get back to roasting marshmallows for s’mores in no time!

Best RV Awning Cleaner Final Thoughts

RV awning maintenance is an important task of owning an RV. It will prolong the life of the awning, keep it free from mold and milder, and keeps it looking great.

The recommended RV awning cleaners above are all excellent products that will do a great job for you if used as directed.

Here is an article I wrote on cleaning your pop-up camper canvas.