How to Care for and Maintain Your Caravan Awnings

We all know that caravan awnings can get quite expensive. Considering that it’s an important accessory for your vehicle, it should be in your best interest to look after them. Sure, caravan awnings are made of durable materials, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need a bit of TLC from time to time. With a well-maintained awning, you can enjoy many seasons of outdoor bliss.

This article will go over how to care for and maintain your caravan awnings so they will stay in good condition for years to come.

Before you head out

So you’re all packed and ready to enjoy the charms of the great outdoors. While we share and understand your excitement, we must remind you to have your repair kit packed before you head out. Having a repair kit can make a huge difference between a wonderful camping experience and a downright frustrating one.

A typical caravan awning repair kit comes with a small section of the pole, a spare guy line, patches of fabric, and adhesive. These items will usually be enough to cover most repairs you’ll need to do with your awning. You may also want to add plastic cable ties, a mallet, a peg puller, and some awning repair tape to take care of minor repairs along the way.

Keep in mind that a repair kit only serves to fix temporary problems you may have with your awning. As soon as you get home, make sure to repair the damages with a permanent solution.

Setting up your caravan awning

Knowing how to set up your caravan awning is crucial to ensure it doesn’t get torn or damaged. When you arrive at your destination, make sure to keep these handy tips in mind:

• Remove stones, old pegs, or other items that could potentially damage the awning (or the groundsheet if you’re using one.)
  
  

• When pitching, always check the positioning of the guy lines and storm straps. There should be a minimal allowance for the fabric to flap to reduce the risk of tearing. Avoid excess tightening as this will put unnecessary stress onto the fabric.
  
  

• Check the tension on the guy lines regularly as the temperature and weather changes can alter the tension slightly.
  
  

• Take note of which direction the pegs are pointing. Always position them in a way that prevents them from being pulled from the ground or the guy lines slipping off.

Cleaning your caravan awning

It’s much easier to clean a caravan awning when it’s all set up as you can reach every piece of the fabric. Avoid tossing your awning in the washing machine at all costs and make sure to do light hand washing instead.

Always use an awning-specific cleaner when cleaning your caravan awning. Awnings have waterproofing built into the fabrics that can become compromised with ordinary cleaning products. If you don’t have one, you can use warm water and a soft-bristled brush to loosen any dirt and remove them from the fabric.

Allow the awning to air dry, preferably under direct sunlight. This ensures the fabric dries completely and eliminates the risk of mould and mildew growth.

Dealing with mould and mildew

Caravan awnings are prone to mould and mildew buildup, especially if you live in a humid environment. You’ll need more than just a regular awning cleaner to remove these microorganisms so they don’t end up as a recurring problem. Check with the awning manufacturer to see if they have any product recommendations for treating mould and mildew.

If there is none, you can make a simple homemade recipe using only 4 parts of water and 1 part diluted chlorine bleach. Transfer the solution to a spray bottle and spray on the affected areas. Allow the fabric to completely dry before washing it off with water to remove the mould and mildew.

This solution will kill off the mould and mildew spores while also removing that musty smell. Again, it’s best to dry the awning under direct sunlight to fully eliminate these microorganisms.

Reproofing your caravan awning

Over time, your caravan awning’s waterproofing capabilities will wear out which is why you need to reproof them at least once a year. All it takes is applying a reproofing liquid once the awning is fully cleaned. Not only does this retain your awning’s waterproofing characteristics, but it also prevents the growth of mould and mildew as these products contain inhibiting compounds.

Storing your awning after cleaning

Once you’re done with the reproofing, the last step is to store your awning properly until the next season. Some storage tips worth following are:

• Make sure your awning is completely dry before you store it. Otherwise, you risk running into mould and mildew problems.
  
  

• If possible, do not leave your caravan awning installed in your vehicle during winter as you’ll run into the same problems mentioned above.

• If the poles are made of steel or aluminium, it’s a good idea to wipe them with wax polish or silicone to protect them from rust. Fibreglass poles only need to be wiped with a damp microfiber cloth before storing it.