Post by kristi on Dec 11, 2013 13:33:33 GMT -8
I just returned from the Glamping Forum Rally at Stone Mountain Family Campground. Our 70 degree mild weather only lasted a couple of days. Gail force winds ushered in sheets of pouring rain and the temperature dropped into the 40's. The wind was so strong that it pulled one of our heavy spring loaded tie down lines right out of the ground and catipolted it over the trailer, well into the area behind the campsite! The free corner of the awning dragged through the mud all night long, before we realized what had happened. Pouring rain continued into Sunday, leaving us with a wet, muddy, mess to deal with before checking out. I hosed off the awning while it was hanging down the side of the trailer, and swept off leaves and debris, then we pulled it off the rail, bundled it up and threw it in the trailer shower! It rained steadily for two more days. When we finally had a sunny day, I draped the 15' awning over the railing on my back porch and proceeded with the cleaning. I made a mild solution of Ivory dish liquid and warm water, took a soft dish scrubbing brush and went to work. I sprayed the awning with the hose again, then lightly scrubbed on the muddy areas with the solution, before draping it over the back porch to dry. Today, I took it into the house and used the vacuum hose cleaning attachment to it which removed most of the imbedded dirt. I then tried a sticky lint roller to any residual dirty spots. My yellow, white and orange awning now looks new again and is ready to be stored for the winter. Marine grade awning fabric can really stand up to the forces of nature, and with proper care retain its beautiful appearance.
