Stumped on Awning Maintenance? Let Us Help!

January 1, 2019

Here is something you may not know about awnings. Although they aren’t maintenance free, maintenance is easy and straightforward. There are no harsh chemicals involved, no climbing, and no scrubbing, and nearly anyone can do it.

Does it take a little bit of time to complete? Of course, but not as much time as you may think—and far less time than maintaining many other exterior items.

When it comes to awning maintenance, here are some tips that will help no matter what type of awning you have.

Inspection

The most important part of awning maintenance is inspection. Although you don’t have to do this every day, take a look at your awning when you have a chance. If there is any noticeable debris on the fabric, use a soft bristle broom to remove it gently. By keeping your awning free of debris, you’ll make sure that no sharp corners, points, or edges on the debris will damage the awning. Plus, it will look better.

Soft Bristle Brushing

The best way to keep dirt and dust from accumulating is to give your awning a weekly brushing. Always use a soft bristle brush or a broom for this task, using soft and light strokes.

Rinse It Off

If you have access to a hose, you can rinse it off monthly. This will get rid of many dirt particles that brushing may have missed. If you have a retractable awning, make sure that it stays open until it has fully dried.

Soap and Water

For stubborn dirt, you can use a mild dishwashing soap and water solution. Just mix up a five-gallon bucket of dishwashing soap and water, and then using your soft bristled broom or brush, apply liberally. Don’t scrub your awning, just brush it as you would without soap and water and rinse the soapy water away with a hose.

If you are worried about the environment, use an eco-friendly detergent mix.

Retractable Care

If you have a retractable awning, there are a few extra steps to take. Never retract the awning when it is wet from cleaning, rain, or early morning dew. Retracting your awning when it is moist may allow mildew to grow between the creases, and that can turn into a cleaning chore that you can avoid by letting the awning dry when it is open.

Although the awning gearing and joints are permanently lubricated, if squeaking occurs anywhere along the metal joints, you can use a dry silicone lube to silence the squeaks. Just be careful to avoid getting any on the awning fabric.

Plant Growth

If your awning is surrounded by plants, you will want to keep them trimmed so they don’t interfere with the retractable mechanism or come into contact with the awning material. Trim back any plant growth to keep your awning free of plants.

As you can see, awning maintenance can be done by nearly anyone, and the results will greatly extend the service life of your awning while keeping it looking good and functioning as it should for a lifetime of use.

If you would like to learn more about awning maintenance or have questions about awnings in general, please contact The New Dorchester Awning Company. We serve the Cape Cod and New England area, and we are proud to be Boston’s awning company since 1901. As always, you may contact us for a free awning quote for a residential, business, or commercial property.