Modern awnings can add significant value and functionality to your house or business. They have the ability to emphasize the beauty of your property and make you stand out in the neighbourhood.
If you are considering purchasing awnings, or you are a happy owner of one, you should know how to take care of and clean your awning to ensure it stays in perfect shape, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know in this blog post. Here are some cleaning tips that will help you keep up with the maintenance of your awnings.
Always Remove Dirt First
Always begin the maintenance process by cleaning up the awning case. You don’t have to do it very often, a few times a year is enough depending on the weather conditions in your area, but to properly maintain your awning and ensure excellent curb appeal, regular cleaning is simply required.
The process is simple, thankfully. Awning frames are typically made out of aluminium, so they’re not really prone to getting dirty. All you have to do is brush off the excess dirt, wipe it with a damp towel, and let it dry naturally.
Next, it is time to move on to the awning itself. Remove as much debris from the material as you can before using any kind of cleaning detergent. Take off the leaves, loose dirt and anything else that is on the fabric. You can use a soft-bristled brush for the job. You can damage the fabric easily if you’re not careful, so a soft brush is necessary.
If stubborn dirt remains, it is a good idea to gently wash the awning with warm soapy water. It is an excellent solution whenever you have trouble with cleaning your awning, and it doesn’t take a lot of time. You just need to make sure it is completely dry after you’re finished.
Awning Fabric Care
The fabric care process doesn’t involve many steps, and it can actually be cleaned without removing it from the frame. First, you need to hose the material down with warm water. Do it on a warm day, if you can, so that you can air dry it before retracting it. Next, you can use a dishwashing liquid or a mild soap and clean the fabric with a soft bristle brush. Rinse it, and you are done. Make sure to clean the fabric of an awning at least two times a year, during Spring and Autumn.
Make Your Own Awning Cleaning Solution
Depending on your awning material, you will need to use different cleaning solutions. For fixed awnings, roll-up awnings and retractable awnings made of canvas or outdoor fabrics, use a mild laundry detergent and lukewarm water. You can also use a vinyl or fabric cleaner if you wish, but try to stay away from any harsh chemicals.
To clean metal awnings, use a metal cleaning solvent and water. If your awnings are made of aluminium, use a solvent especially created for it.
Taking Care of Your Awning Remote
Lastly, try to remember that a remote is also a part of an awning and should also be taken care of. To check whether the batteries inside your remote need replacing, you have to press any button and see whether a blue light appears, if not, it means the time has come to buy new batteries.
When replacing the battery, you need to remove the backing of the remote by pressing down and sliding it off, then replace the old battery with a new one. Then, press the down arrow button on the remote to make sure it is working and put the casing back on.
Different Seasons Require Different Approaches
Since awnings are outdoors, they’ll be impacted by the weather, and you need to keep this in mind during maintenance. Strong wind, for example, can damage and break your awning, so you need to make sure it’s properly retracted if a particularly strong gale is brewing. Neither heavy rain nor snow is particularly kind either. Conversely, however, in winter, dust is much less of a concern than in summer months.
Final Words
Cleaning your awning is an easier process than it might seem. All it takes is regular washing 2 to 3 times a year. It is not a difficult maintenance process, you can do it yourself and ensure the longevity of this fantastic feature of your property.
