The awning is the surface most caravan owners get wrong. People scrub and polish every panel on the van, then either skip the awning entirely or blast it with the harshest method they can find, assuming fabric is tough enough to take it. It isn’t. In fact, our local caravan exterior detailing team sees more fabric failure caused by improper cleaning than by the sun, the wind, and years of actual use combined. The awning is a distinct cleaning challenge, and treating it like the rest of the van is how the damage starts.
Understanding Awning Materials
Not all awnings are built the same, and the material dictates how you should clean it. Getting this wrong is the root of most problems.
- Acrylic fabric breathes and is woven, so it holds water-repellent coatings in the fibres. Aggressive scrubbing or strong chemicals strip those coatings, leaving the fabric prone to soaking up water and mould.
- Vinyl is a solid, coated surface rather than a weave. It handles wiping better than acrylic but can crack if scrubbed hard, and it traps mould on the underside where moisture lingers.
- Blends combine properties of both and generally respond best to the gentlest method you’d use on either.
If you’re unsure what you have, treat it as the most delicate option. You can always clean more thoroughly later; you can’t undo a stripped coating or a frayed weave.
What Actually Builds Up on an Awning
An awning collects a very different mix of grime to the body of your van. Understanding what you’re removing helps you choose the right, lightest approach.
- Mould and mildew appear as black or grey spotting, especially where moisture sits. This is the number one complaint and the hardest to remove without harming fabric.
- Tree sap and bird droppings are acidic and bond to the surface, staining fabric if left.
- Dust and UV-baked grime settle into the weave over time, dulling the fabric and giving mould something to feed on.
In Perth, the combination of coastal humidity and long dry spells means dust bakes on hard, then a single damp night gives mould the foothold it needs.
The Gentle Cleaning Process Step by Step
A careful process protects the material far better than brute force. Work through it in order and don’t rush the drying stage.
- Rinse first. Flush loose dust and debris off with a gentle flow of water before anything else. This stops you grinding grit into the weave.
- Apply a mild solution. Use a small amount of mild, fabric-safe soap in water. Let it sit briefly so it can lift grime without heavy scrubbing.
- Soft brush lightly. Use a soft-bristled brush or sponge and work in gentle strokes. The goal is to loosen dirt, not to scour the surface.
- Rinse thoroughly. Remove every trace of soap. Residue left in the fabric attracts dirt and can break down coatings.
- Dry completely. Leave the awning fully extended until it is bone dry, inside and out, before rolling it away.
Common Mistakes That Damage Fabric
Most awning damage comes down to a handful of avoidable habits. Each one feels like it’s saving time but costs you the material.
- Harsh chemicals and bleach. Bleach may lighten mould stains but it weakens the fibres and destroys water-repellent coatings, leaving the fabric worse off than before.
- Stiff brushes and hard scrubbing. These fray the weave and wear through protective layers.
- Rolling up while damp. Trapped moisture is the single biggest cause of mould returning within days.
Tackling stubborn black spotting is tempting with strong products, but patience and repeated gentle cleaning beats one harsh attempt. The same principle applies to removing marks elsewhere on the van, such as the streaking that runs down caravan panels, where the right method matters more than the strongest product.
Preventing Mould in WA’s Conditions
Prevention is far easier than removal. The aim is simple: never store the awning damp.
After rain or a humid night, extend the awning and let it dry fully before rolling it in. If you’ve had to pack up wet to get moving, unroll and air it out at the first chance you get. Between trips, check the rolled awning now and then, and give it a quick extend-and-air if your van has been sitting through damp Perth mornings. Keeping the fabric dry and the surface free of built-up dust removes the two things mould needs to take hold.
Caring for the Roller Mechanism and Arms
The fabric isn’t the whole awning. The roller mechanism and support arms need attention too, and neglecting them can undo your fabric care.
Wipe down the arms and hardware when you clean the fabric, removing grit and salt that cause stiffness and corrosion. Check that the roller operates smoothly and that nothing is binding, as a sticking mechanism can drag and stress the fabric where it attaches. Keep moving parts clean and free of debris so the awning rolls evenly rather than bunching, which strains the stitching over time.
Above all, resist the urge to speed the whole job up with high-pressure equipment. That blast of force is exactly what drives water behind seams, lifts protective coatings and frays stitching from the edges in. The pressure that feels efficient is the hidden culprit behind many of the fabric and surface failures owners can’t explain, and understanding the risks of high-pressure washing on your caravan is the key to protecting every surface, not just the awning.