Awnings and bird droppings

PJ Buddie
PJ Buddie Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited April 2019 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Was in a nice woodland site over the weekend but one down side is that my awning is now covered in bird droppings.  I have removed what I can with a soft brush but it is still heavily marked.

Is the best option just water and elbow grease or does anyone recommend an awning cleaner?

As I am only 11 months into the vanning journey I’m wary of doing anything which could impact on the water proofing on the awning.

It’s a Royal Armscote  

Comments

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,766
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    edited April 2019 #2

    Not 100% certain but when we had a similar experience we (the Royal we) used fairy liquid on a dry cloth then went over area with wet sponge. If droppings are fresh then you stand a good chance of getting it off without leaving any stain but any dried on stuff will leave a slight mark.

    We've never used a  proprietor brand awning cleaner so maybe someone who has will be along to advise you better than I have.

    The awning manufacturer usually provides advise on what to use, and more importantly, what not to use. Try their leaflet or website.

  • Trini
    Trini Club Member Posts: 429
    edited April 2019 #3

    You have my sympathy.

    Whist on the CMCs Southport club a couple of years ago we (I0 had to cleanl the roof at least once a day of the pigeons happily living in the tree above us.

    I had to go out and buy a long handled cleaning brsuh to reach some of their deposits and used a mild solution of washing up liquid which worked well enough. (A Ventrua Pacific)

    Thankfully it didnt effect the waterproofing and taught us to avoid trees!

    Good luck and keep enjoying your van and awning

     

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,939
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    edited April 2019 #4

    PJ, Nikwax do a couple of products that appear to be just what you want. They have a Tech Wash in gel form which I think you could use diluted to clean the awing, and then a Tent & Gear Solarproof in a spray which can be applied even when the awning is wet. Here's a link

    www.nikwax.com/en-gb/productselector/productselector.php

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited April 2019 #5

    Not totally sure but I would have though washing up liquid will, have a detrimental effect on any waterproofing in your awning. Perhaps just warm water and a sponge? Good luck. As Nellie says, there are lots of waterproofing solutions on the market.

  • thebells
    thebells Forum Participant Posts: 365
    100 Comments
    edited April 2019 #6

    We have used Fenwicks awning cleaner a few times and had really good results. It was especially effective at removing tree sap, which had covered our whole caravan and awning last summer.

  • Hedgehurst
    Hedgehurst Forum Participant Posts: 576
    100 Comments
    edited April 2019 #7

    Another vote for Nikwax. Nice ethical  company, too, in what they put into their products.

    Just to cheer you up, I have friends who are professional falconers. They reckon raptor droppings eat through anything in time, being full of ammonia, so brushing off is a good thing.

  • SwiftSteve
    SwiftSteve Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited April 2019 #8

    As already stated never use washing up liquid on any tent or awning, it will leak after.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Club Member Posts: 6,492
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    edited April 2019 #9

    Precaution may help a great deal. Birds have every right to be where they wish and many like to roost in trees. Don't pitch your van and awning under them for fear of the fall out.wink

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Club Member Posts: 10,224
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    edited April 2019 #10

    Digfressing slightly, I see that Chris Packham has upset a lot of people with his pressure group's action on pigeons.

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