8 Ways to Keep Your Awning in Tip Top Shape

January 1, 2019

When you have invested in an awning to keep your outdoor space shaded, caring for your investment is essential. Proper awning care can help ensure that your awning lasts for years.

The best way to take care of your awnings is to do regular maintenance and cleaning. Think of it like taking care of your carpet: You vacuum regularly to keep dirt from getting embedded in your floors, which makes semi-annual steam cleaning go much more smoothly. Regular maintenance keeps everything in your house in tip top shape, and your awnings are no different.

Read this blog to learn some of the regular awning care that will keep your investment looking good.

Seasonal Awning Care

Sweep all loose dirt off both the top and bottom of the awning. Not only does this keep the fabric looking bright and pristine, but it prevents dirt from building up over time. Use a broom with soft bristles to protect the fabric from wear.

Trim all shrubs, vines, and trees to keep them from touching or rubbing on the fabric. Many plants contain an acid that wears down awning fabric, causing discoloration. In addition, branches and twigs can tear or poke holes in your awning, so it is best to keep these plants from coming into contact with your investment.

Check for any sign of holes or tears. Small holes or tears are easy to repair, so if you notice something small, get it fixed immediately before it becomes something big.

Yearly Awning Care

Keep your awning on its frame for washing. In most cases, you do not need to take your awning down to give it a proper cleaning, making the whole process easy.

Spray the entire awning with cool water on both the top and the underside. This rinses off the more stubborn dirt that might not come off with sweeping. Spray down your awning on a hot, sunny day to help it dry. If you have a retractable awning, ensure that it is completely dry before you retract it. Retracting wet fabric allows for mildew growth, which you want to avoid at all costs.

Wash the top with a solution of water and mild soap. Use a soft bristle brush or cloth to work the solution into the fabric from the bottom to the top, and then allow some time for the solution to soak in. Next, rinse the awning thoroughly with a hose, until all the soap residue is gone. Rinsing is incredibly important in this process, as soap residue can cause discoloration or provide a place for mildew to grow.

Spot Clean as Needed

Watch for things like bird droppings, tree sap, oil, paint, and rust. All of these can leave stains if they aren’t treated quickly. As soon as you notice a stain or spot on your awning, clean it off properly to keep stains from setting in.

When you see spots such as these, contact Dorchester Awning Company for advice on how to remove them. Do not use chemicals or cleaning supplies unless we recommend them, as they may cause damage to your awning.

Protect Retractable Awnings from Weather

If you chose a retractable awning, taking proper care of it is easy! Lucky for you, retractable awnings can be brought in to protect them from the elements. High speed winds, rain, and snow can all damage your investment, so retracting your awning during weather conditions such as these protects them.

Have questions about keeping your awnings in tip top shape? Contact Dorchester Awning Company to get your questions answered by a member of our team.