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7 Best Cleaner For RV Awning | No Heavy Scrubbing Required

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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.

Tree sap, bird droppings, road grime, and moisture that breeds mildew and mold — your RV awning takes a beating from all of them. A dedicated cleaning solution lifts that buildup without damaging the fabric or vinyl, so your outdoor space stays inviting and your awning lasts longer. The challenge is picking one from the dozens of sprays, concentrates, and wipes that all claim to work magic.

I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind WellFizz. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.

Here are the seven best options to keep your rig looking sharp, including the STAR BRITE Premium RV Awning Cleaner & Protectant Spray that targets tough stains without heavy scrubbing. The right cleaner for rv awning saves you hours of elbow grease and keeps your fabric from fading or cracking.

Our Picks at a Glance

Fenwicks Awning and Tent Cleaner - beige, 1 Litre
Best OverallFenwicks Awning and Tent Cleaner – Off-White, 1 Litre4.2★650 ratingsA British import that handles surface dirt and odors but stops short on mold. Fenwicks markets this cleaner for both awnings and tents, making it a versatile choice if you own both.Check Price on Amazon
STAR BRITE Premium RV Awning Cleaner & Protectant Spray
Also GreatSTAR BRITE Premium RV Awning Cleaner & Protectant Spray4.2★412 ratingsA powerful spray that lifts caked-on grime while adding a protective UV barrier. The STAR BRITE cleaner targets tough stains — leaf stains, bird droppings, and bug deposits — from both fabric and vinyl awnings.Check Price on Amazon

How To Choose The Cleaner For RV Awning

Your awning’s material — fabric, vinyl, or acrylic — and the type of grime you are dealing with determine the best approach. Start by identifying if you need a general daily cleaner or a heavy-duty stain remover.

Match the Formula to the Stain

For routine dirt, pollen, and bird droppings, a spray-and-rinse formula works quickly. For black streaks, mold, and mildew that have settled in, look for a stronger concentrate or a cleaner that specifically states it removes mildew — you will need to let it dwell for a few minutes and possibly scrub with a soft brush.

Protectant vs. Cleaner Only

Some products, like the STAR BRITE Premium RV Awning Cleaner & Protectant Spray, include special polymers (plastic-like compounds) that create a protective barrier against UV rays, so your fabric does not crack or fade as fast. A cleaner-only product gets the grime off but adds no UV defense, so consider a separate protectant if your rig sits in full sun.

Ready-to-Use vs. Concentrate

A ready-to-use spray is the easiest — you just spray, wait, and rinse. A concentrate such as Thetford’s 64-ounce jug or Dicor’s gallon jug costs less per ounce and lets you mix only what you need, but it requires you to measure and dilute.

Quick Comparison

Model Best For Volume Item Weight Form Amazon
Fenwicks Awning and Tent Cleaner★ Best Overall Surface dirt on tents and awnings 1 Litre 2.38 Pounds Spray Amazon
STAR BRITE Premium RV Awning Cleaner & ProtectantAlso Great Stubborn mold + UV protection 950 Milliliters 2.4 Pounds Spray Amazon
Dicor CP-AC-1GL Powerful RV Awning Cleaner Large gallon supply 1 gallon Liquid concentrate Amazon
Awning Cleaner and Black Streak Remover Black streaks + road grime 1 gallon 8.15 Pounds Liquid Amazon
Thetford 96017 Premium RV Awning Cleaner Large 64-oz supply 64 Fluid Ounces 2.4 Pounds Spray / Wipe Amazon
B.E.S.T. 52032 Awning Cleaner Budget-friendly deep clean 32 Fluid Ounces Liquid Amazon
Valterra LLC V88542 Awning Cleaner Basic maintenance 32 Fluid Ounces 2 Pounds Liquid Amazon

In‑Depth Reviews

★ Best Overall

1. Fenwicks Awning and Tent Cleaner – beige, 1 Litre

Our pick — over 4★ from 650+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.

1 Litre2.38 lbs

A British import that handles surface dirt and odors but stops short on mold.

Fenwicks markets this cleaner for both awnings and tents, making it a versatile choice if you own both. It comes in a 1 Litre bottle that weighs 2.38 Pounds. The package dimensions are 6.0 L x 27.69 H x 13.0 W (cm).

The honest feedback from buyers is mixed. One 4-star review states it “removes surface dirt and odors, but fails to remove mold stains despite scrubbing. Disappointing for the price.” Another 2-star buyer tried it on outdoor sunshades stained by moss and mold and said it was not effective. On the positive side, a 5-star reviewer called it a “quality spray, easy to use, great cleaning power.”

This is the only product on the list that is beige in color rather than clear or white. For an RV that sits in a damp climate or has existing mildew, this may not be the first-line choice — you would be better served by one of the mildew-focused options above.

Versatile format: Works on both tents and awnings, good for campers who also carry a camping tent.

Mold struggle: Multiple reviews confirm it fails to remove mildew staining, making it a weak pick for humid or wet environments.

Consider if: You mostly deal with surface road dust and odors and want one bottle for tent and awning use.

pass on it if: Mildew or black mold stains are the reason you are buying a cleaner — get the STAR BRITE or Dicor instead.

2. STAR BRITE Premium RV Awning Cleaner & Protectant Spray

Spray950 ml

A powerful spray that lifts caked-on grime while adding a protective UV barrier.

The STAR BRITE cleaner targets tough stains — leaf stains, bird droppings, and bug deposits — from both fabric and vinyl awnings. Buyers report that it “removed years of caked-on dirt and mold from RV awnings with 30-second dwell, agitation, and rinse.” The formula is bleach-free, so you do not have to worry about discoloring the fabric.

Unlike many cleaners that just remove grime, this one also contains special polymers (plastic-like compounds) that provide a protective barrier against UV rays. That extra shield helps extend the life and color of your awning over time. The spray dries fast after rinsing, so you are not waiting around before rolling the awning back up.

It weighs 2.4 Pounds and comes in a 950 Milliliters bottle. One reviewer noted that the product is “ment for stains not a full fledged protectant,” so expect it to perform best on fresh to moderate stains — if your awning has years of neglect, you may need a second pass.

Performance plus protection: Removes mold and mildew with light scrubbing and leaves a UV barrier.

The bottle size trade-off: At 950 ml, heavy users on a very dirty two-awning rig may need the whole bottle in one session, as one buyer mentioned using the entire bottle on two awnings due to extreme grime.

Best for: Owners who want both stain removal and UV protection in one step, especially for fabric awnings that see full sun.

Look elsewhere if: You need a concentrated gallon jug for frequent large-area cleaning — this is a ready-to-use spray.

Best Value Gallon

3. Dicor CP-AC-1GL Powerful RV Awning Cleaner – 1 Gallon

1 GallonLiquid

A full gallon of strong cleaner that makes short work of stubborn tree sap and bird droppings.

Dicor formulates this specifically for fabric, vinyl, and acrylic awnings, targeting stubborn stains caused by leaves, bird droppings, and tree sap. The 1-gallon (128-fluid-ounce) size gives you multiple cleaning sessions, which is ideal if you maintain a seasonal home or rent your rig out frequently.

Buyers are impressed with the minimal effort needed — one owner reported the product “cleaned our awning with minimal effort” and another described it as “easy to use. Sprayed it on, let soak, and sprayed off.” For tougher spots, a light brush work brought them off easily. With a 4.3-star rating from 59 ratings, the feedback is consistently positive.

Owners mention it is a strong cleaner, so on a very dirty awning you will see the grime lift almost immediately. Compared to the ready-to-use STAR BRITE spray, the Dicor gallon gives you more volume for less money per ounce, but you will need a separate spray bottle to apply it.

Gallon economy: A full gallon of concentrated cleaner that lasts many washes — great for weekly maintenance or cleaning a large fifth-wheel awning.

No built-in sprayer: You must dilute and transfer it to your own bottle; not a grab-and-go product.

Ideal for: Frequent cleaners who want a stock of effective concentrate and do not mind mixing their own solution.

Not for: Someone who wants a single spray bottle for a quick spot clean — pick the STAR BRITE for that.

Black Streak Specialist

4. Awning Cleaner and Black Streak Remover 1 Gallon Bottle

1 Gallon8.15 lbs

A gallon jug aimed at the black streaks and road grime that normal cleaners miss.

This cleaner from Tate Soaps and Surfactants is formulated to attack the black streaks that form on RVs, trailers, coaches, and boats from road grime and general weathering. It also works on vinyl fencing, vinyl siding, and patio furniture.

Customers note success with a simple method: “Spray it in sections, let it sit, then gently power wash it off.” One customer observed, “It really did take off the gray streaks on my camper.” The gallon size weighs 8.15 Pounds and comes in a 1-gallon bottle. For old, heavy stains, the same reviewer said letting it sit a little longer helps.

One limitation surfaced in the reviews: “It won’t get out old stains” and “some brown spots remained” after cleaning a camper awning, so expect great results on recent grime but not a miracle cure for years of neglect.

Streak-specific formula: Excels at removing black road streaks from the sides of your rig — use it on the awning fabric too for tough grime.

Not for set-in mildew: Older brown mildew stains may not lift entirely with a single application; does not contain UV protectants.

Reach for it if: Black streaks on the RV body are your primary frustration — this jug tackles that.

Choose something else if: You need a dedicated mildew remover with UV protection; the STAR BRITE or Thetford are better fits.

Mid-Range Workhorse

5. Premium RV Awning Cleaner for RV or Home Awnings 64 oz – Thetford 96017

64 Fl Oz2.4 lbs

A half-gallon jug that can handle everything from frog residue to dirt with a soft brush and rinse.

The Thetford cleaner targets automotive exterior surfaces made of fabric, plastic, and rubber. Its 64 Fluid Ounces bottle is one of the larger ready-to-use supplies in this lineup, giving you more cleaning power before needing a refill compared to a 32-ounce bottle.

One buyer described an impressive cleanup: “Removed all dirt from a frog-stuck awning in under 30 minutes with a soft brush and rinse.” Others mention it is “excellent for removing mildew smell and mold from RV awnings with minimal effort.” For annual maintenance, it works well — but the reviews also warn that if you have waited five years, it “didn’t totally remove the lines” and a 3-star reviewer said “the heavy staining, it didn’t even touch.” You need to use it more often for best results.

Comparing it to the 32-ounce B.E.S.T. cleaner below, the Thetford holds 64 Fluid Ounces vs. 32 Fluid Ounces, for a modest price gap, making it a better value per wash. It weighs the same 2.4 Pounds as the STAR BRITE above, but the Thetford is unscented.

Big bottle, familiar brand: A well-known RV brand with a 64-ounce supply that handles routine dirt and new mildew effectively.

Not for baked-on stains: Multiple reviewers point out it struggles with old, heavy staining that has had years to set.

Best for: RVs that get annual cleaning — use it once a year and your awning stays bright.

skip it if: You have heavy, sun-baked mold from prolonged wet storage, as the reviews warn it cannot tackle that.

Budget Warrior

6. B.E.S.T. 52032 Awning Cleaner – 32 oz.

32 Fl OzLiquid

A low-cost liquid that can transform a decade of grime back to near-new whiteness.

The B.E.S.T. cleaner comes as a 32 Fluid Ounces bottle of liquid. It claims to remove mold, mildew, dirt, and grime with a simple spray-and-hose-off routine. The brand says if used regularly it will keep the awning looking new.

One reviewer had a striking result: “I sprayed this on, let it sit, washed with water, sprayed again and then scrubbed with a stiff brush. When I washed off after the final scrubbing…WOW! All the mildew and stains were gone!” That same buyer used it on a vinyl garage door and PVC patio furniture with equal success. Another reviewer said it was “easy to use, but left a few stains,” so the result depends heavily on how old the grime is and how much scrubbing you are willing to do.

At 32 Fluid Ounces, it holds 32 Fluid Ounces versus the Thetford’s 64 Fluid Ounces. One 3-star reviewer noted that even after “several applications” it did not fully clean mildew from a recently used motor home awning, calling it “would not buy again.”

Surprising punch: Can revive a very old, dirty awning when used with a stiff brush and a second application.

Inconsistent on mildew: Shoppers say that it left some stains or needed many passes on moderately dirty awnings.

Grab it for: A budget-friendly first try on a badly neglected awning — you may be thrilled with the results.

Pass if: You want guaranteed mildew removal on a single try, especially on white awnings where any stain shows.

Basic Maintenance

7. Valterra LLC V88542 Awning Cleaner, 32OZ Bott

32 Fl Oz2 lbs

A straight-up, no-frills cleaner that needs a bit of elbow grease and a soft brush.

Valterra’s cleaner comes in a 32 Fluid Ounces bottle that weighs 2 Pounds. One buyer described the process: “Mixed 4oz/gal water, scrubbed with soft brush, rinsed.” That same reviewer called it effective for cleaning old awnings with black spots and dirt. A second reviewer reported that “it worked really good” on a travel trailer awning.

The catch is consistency. A 4-star buyer said “the awning is clean now but it didn’t take out any stains” and noted the product was “thinner than I expected.” Another 3-star reviewer tried it at triple strength with scrubbing and pressure washing three times and found it “only removed ~50% of dirt stripes on white RV awning.” They reported that a CLR non-bleach mold remover worked better in one try.

Compared to the Thetford (64 Fluid Ounces, 2.4 Pounds), the Valterra holds 32 Fluid Ounces and weighs 2 Pounds — so you get a smaller bottle but a slightly lower weight. It is best as a touch-up between deeper cleanings.

Budget-friendly concentrate: A small bottle that works for basic dirt when you follow the mixing directions.

Weak on heavy staining: Buyers report it fails on set-in dirt stripes and thick mildew even at triple strength.

Use for: Light seasonal maintenance where the awning is already fairly clean and you just need a refresh.

Look elsewhere if: Your awning has black mildew spots or dirt stripes — the STAR BRITE or Dicor will save you scrubbing.

Understanding the Specs

Item Volume

This is the total amount of liquid cleaner you get in the bottle, measured in fluid ounces (Fl Oz), milliliters, or gallons. A larger volume means fewer re-orders but also a heavier, bulkier container. For example, the Thetford 96017 gives you 64 Fluid Ounces, while the B.E.S.T. and Valterra each give you 32 Fluid Ounces

Item Weight

This tells you how heavy the full bottle is, including the liquid and packaging. Heavier bottles hold more product but can be harder to handle, especially if you are climbing a ladder to clean the awning. The Thetford and STAR BRITE both weigh 2.4 Pounds, while the Valterra is slightly lighter at 2 Pounds.

FAQ

Can I use a pressure washer after applying awning cleaner?
Many buyers do, but you should test on a small hidden area first. The Awning Cleaner and Black Streak Remover instructs users to “gently power wash it off” and the Dicor cleaner reviews mention power washing on a medium setting. Use a wide spray pattern and keep the nozzle at least 18 inches away to avoid damaging the fabric or stitching.
How long should I let the cleaner sit before rinsing?
It depends on the product. The STAR BRITE instructions say a 30-second dwell works for moderate grime. The Dicor and Thetford reviews suggest letting it soak for a few minutes, and for heavy stains some users let it sit for 30-40 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. On a hot, dry day the solution can dry out, so work in sections.
Will any of these cleaners remove black streaks from the RV body too?
The Awning Cleaner and Black Streak Remover gallon bottle is specifically formulated for black streaks on RVs, trailers, and coaches. The Fenwicks cleaner is for tents and awnings only. The other products are tune for awning fabric and may work on the body but are not guaranteed.
Is it safe to use these cleaners on vinyl or acrylic awnings?
Yes. The Dicor cleaner is specifically described as safe for all fabric, vinyl, and acrylic awnings. The Thetford cleaner recommends use on fabric, plastic, and rubber surfaces. The STAR BRITE is formulated for fabric and vinyl. Always test a small inconspicuous spot first.
Do these products contain bleach that could fade my awning?
The STAR BRITE cleaner is specifically labeled as bleach-free. The other products do not specify bleach content, but buyers generally report they do not cause fading when used as directed. If you have a colored awning, stick with a product that explicitly says it is safe for colors.
What is the difference between a cleaner and a cleaner with protectant?
A standard cleaner simply lifts and removes dirt, mildew, and grime. A cleaner with protectant — like the STAR BRITE Premium RV Awning Cleaner & Protectant Spray — contains special polymers that leave a UV-blocking layer on the fabric after cleaning. This helps prevent the sun from fading and degrading the material.
Can I use these cleaners on my house’s patio or porch awning?
Yes. The Thetford cleaner is labeled “for RV or Home Awnings.” The B.E.S.T. cleaner was used by a reviewer on house awnings with great results. The Awning Cleaner and Black Streak Remover also works on vinyl fencing and patio furniture. Just ensure your home awning uses the same fabric, vinyl, or acrylic material.
How often should I clean my RV awning to prevent permanent stains?
Most manufacturers and reviewers recommend cleaning at least once a year, ideally before storing the RV for the season. Thetford reviews note that if you clean annually, the results are much better. If your RV sits under trees or in a humid area, you may need to clean it twice a year to stop mildew from setting in.
Can I use a regular household cleaner like dish soap on my RV awning?
It is not recommended. Regular household cleaners may contain degreasers or bleach that can damage the waterproof coating on your awning fabric. A dedicated cleaner for RV awnings, such as the Dicor or Thetford, is formulated to clean without breaking down the protective layers.

Final Thoughts: The Verdict

For most people, the best cleaner for rv awning is the STAR BRITE Premium RV Awning Cleaner & Protectant Spray because it removes tough mold with light scrubbing while leaving a UV-protective barrier. If you need a bulk supply for frequent cleaning, grab the Dicor CP-AC-1GL gallon. And for removing black streaks from the body and awning, the Awning Cleaner and Black Streak Remover is your targeted solution.

How We Picked

We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.

Sources & Methodology

Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of July 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.

As an Amazon Associate, WellFizz earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.

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Mo Maruf
Founder & Lead Editor

Mo Maruf

I created WellFizz to bridge the gap between vague wellness advice and actionable solutions. My mission is simple: to decode the research and give you practical tools you can actually use.

Beyond the data, I am a passionate traveler. I believe that stepping away from the screen to explore new environments is essential for mental clarity and physical vitality.

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