Do you know how to properly care for your caravan awnings? They don’t come cheap so it’s best if you know how to properly maintain them to ensure that you get the most out of your money and that they last for years to come. They are durable accessories that demand very minimal maintenance so you shouldn’t feel overwhelmed at all. This article is for you if you’re clueless and you want to know everything that you need to cover in maintaining your caravan awnings.
If you don’t have a repair kit yet, then consider this as the sign to get yourself one. An owner of caravan awnings must always have a repair kit. A repair kit for caravan awnings must always come with the following:
Having a repair kit is important because it will ensure that you get to enjoy your caravan awnings whenever and wherever. With one, you’d get to easily fix small damages. You should never forget to bring your repair kit with you. Remember though that repair kit solutions are temporary. You still need to come up with permanent solutions to awning damages once you get home.
You have to know the proper way to set up your caravan awning. Proper set-up will ensure that you get to avoid damages and tears. Do the following once you’ve arrived at your destination:
Exert effort in removing old pegs, stones, and other materials that may damage your awning. Ensure that the place is clean and safe for your awnings. You should be doubly careful if you’d be using a groundsheet. Ensure that no sharp objects are present.
You should always ensure that the positioning of your storm straps and guy lines is correct. Your fabric should have enough allowance for comfortable flapping to avoid tearing and damage. Don’t pitch too tightly as it will only cause excessive stress to the fabric.
Your guy lines need particular care that weather and temperature can easily affect them. To ensure that everything is a-okay, always check your guy line’s tension. Do this every time you experience a significant change in temperature and weather.
You should be fully aware of the direction where your pegs are pointing. They should always be positioned in such a way that they cannot be easily pulled from the ground. You should also ensure that your guy lines don’t slip off.
Remember to observe the following tips when cleaning your caravan awnings:
1. Never use a washing machine in cleaning your awning.
2. Always clean your awning with light hand washing.
3. Use a specialized cleaner for caravan awnings. Ordinary detergents and cleaning products won’t do as they may damage its waterproof build.
4. If you don’t have a dedicated cleaner, you could simply use warm water.
5. Always use a soft-bristled brush when removing dirt from your awning.
6. Dry your awning under direct sunlight.
7. Air dry your awning if possible.
8. Always ensure that your fabric is completely dry to avoid the growth of mold and mildew.
PRO TIP: It’s easier to clean your caravan awnings when they are fully set up. This is because you’d get to easily reach every nook and fabric.
Should you ever need to deal with mold and mildew on your awnings, do the following:
1. Contact your manufacturer and inquire if they have specific product recommendations for mold and mildew removal. You need to do this because not all awnings have the same materials. Regular awning cleaners won’t also suffice if you live in a humid area and mold and mildews are recurring problems.
2. If none is recommended, you can make a safe homemade solution of your own.
Follow this recipe:
Place the solution in a spray bottle for easy application. You should let the solution dry on the affected areas before washing it off. Wash off with water. Dry it under direct sunlight to fully remove all traces of mold and mildew.
You will need to reproof your caravan awning over time. This is to ensure that it stays waterproof and durable. To do this, you simply need to apply reproofing liquid after a thorough cleaning and drying session. Reproofing also helps in the prevention of mold and mildew growth.
When storing your caravan awnings, always remember to observe the following tips:
1. Strictly ensure that your awning is completely dry before actual storage. A moist awning will be a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. Avoid this at all costs by opting to dry your awning under direct sunlight. Air drying is best.
2. Uninstall your caravan awning during winter. This is to avoid mold and mildew build-up.
3. Know the material of your poles. If they’re made of aluminum or steel, you should use silicone or wax polish to prevent them from rusting. If your poles are made of fiberglass, a damp microfiber cloth should be used to wipe them clean before storage.
