Awnings are generally low maintenance but should be lightly cleaned by rinsing the cover once a month with a garden hose on a bright sunny day. It is important to keep dirt, leaves and other debris from accumulating on your awning. Keeping shrubbery and vines off your awning is essential to the overall look and life of your awning.
Below are some recommended cleaning instructions for standard materials used throughout the awning industry.
Vinyl Awning Fabrics
To remove dirt and light stains, gently wash the awning with mixture of mild detergents and lukewarm water. Using a soft bristled brush or common rag, gently scrub the awning cover and thoroughly rinse. For tough stains, apply a 50/50 mixture of common bleach and water by gently scrubbing with a soft bristled brush. It is extremely important that the affected and surrounding areas are thoroughly rinsed.
Acrylic Awning Fabrics
To remove dirt and light stains, gently wash the awning with mixture of mild detergents and lukewarm water. Using a soft bristled brush, gently scrub the awning cover and thoroughly rinse. For tough stains, use a mixture of 1:4 common bleach & 1:10 mild detergent to water. Apply the cleaner, allow to sit for a few minutes and gently scrub with a soft bristled brush and rinse thoroughly.
If the cleaning instructions above are not successful, contact a local awning professional or the manufacturer for more detailed cleaning information. Generally, harsh chemicals like degreasers or alcohol based substances are not suggested. It is highly recommended that a power washer should not be used to clean fabric as the water pressure near the tip can tear a hole in the fabric. This is especially true on older fabrics that are ‘stiff’ to the touch.
By adhering to manufacturer recommendations and consulting with experts, you can ensure the longevity and pristine condition of your awnings without risking accidental damage. In areas like Forsyth County where the climate and environmental factors may contribute to the accumulation of dirt and grime, expert cleaning services such as soft washing forsyth county can offer a safe and effective solution for awning maintenance. Soft washing utilizes low-pressure water combined with eco-friendly cleaning solutions to gently remove dirt, mold, and mildew from exterior surfaces, including fabric awnings, without causing any damage.
If you are cleaning the cover and removing it for storage, be sure to allow ample time for the cover to fully dry prior to folding and stowage. Awning covers should be stored in a climate controlled environment and never left exposed to the elements.
