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What Is The Best RV Awning Cleaner?

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

RV awning extended on camper

What Is The Best RV Awning Cleaner?

RVs are fun to own, but they also require a lot of work. There are numerous maintenance tasks RV owners must stay on top of. These include things like changing the water heater anode rod (if your heater has one), resealing the roof and side seams, and of course, keeping the unit clean.

One of the most annoying parts of an RV to keep clean? The awning. Unfortunately RV awnings have a way of gathering dirt and debris, even when rolled up and secured against the rig. Not only that, but because they hold water while rolled, they can also develop mildew spots if left to sit for very long.

Enter the RV awning cleaner.

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By investing in a high quality cleaner, you can make this less-than-fun job a whole lot easier on yourself. But how do you know which is the best RV awning cleaner? Well, there are a few good options on the market. Read on to learn our top picks. 

What to look for in an RV awning cleaner

What should you look for in an RV awning cleaner? There are a few different factors to consider:

Awning fabric

The first thing to consider when choosing an RV awning cleaner is the type of fabric your RV awning is made of. Generally speaking, RV awnings are made with either vinyl or acrylic material, and not all cleaners can be used on both. Knowing which type you have is crucial for choosing the best cleaner for your needs. 

Effectiveness

Obviously, effectiveness is also incredibly important. After all, nobody has much use for a product that doesn’t work the way it was made to. Make sure to read reviews and check for a warranty in order to know whether the product you’re choosing is a good one. 

Versatility

RVs don’t have a ton of storage space. So, it’s nice when you can choose versatile cleaners that can be used on a variety of surfaces. Of course, if the cleaner is not effective, versatility is less valuable, so consider effectiveness first before taking versatility into consideration. 

Price

Because RV awnings need to be cleaned relatively often, price is also a factor that should be considered. You’ll likely be going through quite a lot of whatever cleaner you settle on, meaning something super expensive might end up emptying your wallet. 

Biodegradability

As RVers, we can all appreciate the beauty of the world around us. Clearly, it is important that we care for that beauty. For this reason, we really appreciate biodegradable products and choose them whenever it is reasonably possible.

Ease of use

Finally, ease of use should be considered when choosing an RV awning cleaning product. Something that sprays on can make the job a bit easier. Pre-mixed solutions are often preferred by customers, and easy to follow instructions are a must. 

The best RV awning cleaners

So which are the best RV awning cleaners? Honestly, this is a pretty subjective question and you’ll likely get different answers for different people.

That said, we’ve lined up a few of our top picks below to get you started on your RV awning cleaner shopping. 

B.E.S.T. 52032 Awning Cleaner

Considered the best of the best by many RV owners, B.E.S.T. 52032 Awning Cleaner really does live up to its name. While this is only intended to be used on RV awnings, it does its one job very well. In fact, many claim they didn’t even have to do any scrubbing to remove the dirt and mold spots from their awnings when using this cleaner. Because it works so well, some RVers find that storing a one-use product is well worthwhile. 

In addition to cleaning well, this solution also provides UV protection, helping ensure your RV awning lasts a long time, even when used in direct sunlight. Another big benefit? No harsh ingredients are used in the making of this product. Lastly, we like that all types of awning fabric can be cleaned with this cleaner. 

Star Brite Mold and Mildew Stain Remover

We love this cleaner because it is incredibly versatile. It can be used on a wide variety of fabrics and is intended for all kinds of use cases, not just RV awning cleaning. This means the product earns its place in the tiny RV cabinet. 

Star Brite Mold and Mildew Stain Remover is made in the USA. It does an excellent job removing grime, mold, mildew, and more. Finally, this awesome cleaner is very cost effective, meaning you can buy as much as you need to keep your RV sparkling clean.

Camco 41024 Pro-Strength Awning Cleaner

Lastly, we must mention Camco Awning Cleaner. This is a classic choice that many RVers trust. Considering the history Camco has of making quality RV products, you can probably imagine what an excellent solution this is. 

We love that this cleaner will remove mold, mildew, grime, tree sap, and more without any issues. It’s a very strong product, meaning a little goes a long way (thereby making it an inexpensive option), and it can be used on all types of awnings. 

Unfortunately, this cleaner is quite potent and wouldn’t be good for the environment should it be spilled. 

Hand holding spray bottle of RV awning cleaner

How to clean your RV awning

While cleaning your RV awning isn’t exactly fun, it also isn’t terribly difficult. In fact, the process is pretty straightforward:

  • To begin, set up the RV awning as normal, making sure it has a slant so water can run off. 
  • Rinse off any debris with a water hose. 
  • Sitting on the roof or standing on a ladder, apply the cleaner to the top side of the awning and scrub with a long handled brush.
  • Rinse the cleaner away.
  • Apply the cleaner solution and scrub the underside of the awning while standing underneath. 
  • Rinse the underside. 
  • Allow to dry completely before rolling the awning up. 

Use an RV awning cover

Keep your awning as clean as possible in order to reduce the number of cleaning sessions required. Parking the unit in a covered storage area can make an enormous difference.

We also highly recommend an RV awning cover. This protects the rolled-up awning when not in use and helps keep dirt and water from getting into the roll.


Make sure you keep track of all your RV maintenance and repairs with an online tool such as RV LIFE Maintenance. Not only can you keep all of your documents in one place, but you’ll also receive timely reminders when maintenance is due to help you avoid costly repairs and potentially serious accidents.