Sundowner BlockOut Swag Awning Care: Cleaning and Storage Tips

Quick answer

Clean your Sundowner BlockOut swag awning with lukewarm water and a soft brush or sponge, never a pressure washer or harsh detergent, then let it dry completely before folding. Store it loosely rolled or folded in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. The whole routine takes about 20 minutes and protects the light-blocking coating that makes the awning worth owning.

Cleaning and storage steps

1. 1. Shake out and inspect: Open the awning fully and shake off loose dirt, sand, and leaves. Run your hand along the fabric and check seams, corners, and any guy-line attachment points for grit or small tears. Common mistake: skipping this and going straight to water, which turns surface dust into mud that works into the weave. Checkpoint: if you find a tear, deal with it before washing so water does not get behind the coating.
2. 2. Rinse with lukewarm water: Use a hose on a gentle setting or pour water from a bucket, starting at the top and working down. Do not use a pressure washer, even on a low setting, because the concentrated jet lifts the coating. Common mistake: using hot water, which can soften and distort the fabric. Checkpoint: the runoff should be clear before you move on.
3. 3. Wipe with a soft sponge or brush: Work a soft sponge or soft-bristled brush over the fabric in straight lines rather than circles. For sticky spots like sap or bird droppings, add a drop of mild hand soap to lukewarm water and let it sit for a minute before wiping. Common mistake: scrubbing hard at a stubborn mark and rubbing the coating away. Checkpoint: if a mark will not lift with light pressure, leave it and repeat after the next trip rather than forcing it.
4. 4. Rinse again and check the frame: Rinse off all soap residue, then wipe the poles, pegs, and hardware with a dry towel. Soap left in the weave attracts dirt, and damp metal hardware is where corrosion starts. Common mistake: rinsing the fabric but leaving the frame wet. Checkpoint: no suds should appear when you run a clean hand over the wet fabric.
5. 5. Dry completely before folding: Hang the awning open or lay it flat in the shade until it is bone dry on both sides. In humid weather this can take a few hours, so plan it as an afternoon job rather than a last-minute pack-up. Common mistake: folding a damp awning, which traps moisture and leads to mildew and a musty smell. Checkpoint: if the fabric feels cool or clammy in the folds, it is not dry yet.
6. 6. Store loose, cool, and dark: Fold or roll the awning loosely, avoiding sharp creases along the same lines every time. Store it in a dry cupboard or gear box away from direct sunlight, and do not stack heavy items on top. Common mistake: compressing it into the smallest possible bundle, which creases the coating and creates weak points. Checkpoint: refold along slightly different lines each season to spread wear.

Kakadu gear that pairs with your awning routine

• Kakadu Outback Shower: Compact and portable shower system that provides hot water in seconds, with an integrated lithium battery and efficient pump for up to 2 hours of hot showers on a single charge. If you are already laying out and drying awning fabric at camp, a hot rinse afterwards is the easiest way to finish the job without tracking grit back into your swag.
• BlockOut® Cot Tent 1P: Uses BlockOut® technology to reduce internal temperatures by up to 20 degrees and block 95% of light, with no assembly required thanks to an easy-fold stretcher frame. It shares the same light-blocking approach as a BlockOut awning, so the same gentle cleaning habits apply to both pieces of your sleep setup.