Few activities are more refreshing than lounging under the shade of your awning in the summer heat. However, that moment can seem a little less peaceful when you look up and discover dirt and mildew caking the corners of your shady sail. If nature has taken a small toll on your awning’s appearance, it may be time to clean it.
Luckily, outdoor awnings are relatively easy to clean at home. With regular cleaning, your home’s awning can remain gorgeous and usable for years to come. While there are different types of awnings, cleaning them should be fairly similar whether it’s a camper awning or a retractable awning. Grab your rubber gloves and plunge into our guide on how to clean awnings.
#1 Gather Your Supplies
Before you start cleaning awnings around your home, you’ll want to gather your supplies first. Like any regular cleaning job, an awning pick-me-up needs a few tools. Depending on the awning material, whether you have an acrylic, polyester, or canvas awning, you may need a few different cleaning supplies. However, almost all awning cleaning jobs will need these items along the way:
- A soft bristle brush
- A stiff bristle brush
- A large gallon pail (2 to 5 gallons)
- A ladder or step-ladder
- Hand gloves
- An empty spray bottle
- A garden hose or other water source
- Cleaning solution of choice (soap, vinegar, bleach, etc.)
#2 Dry Brush the Awning
When you hear “cleaning,” your mind may automatically jump to soapy water. But don’t judge a chore by its tradition. Before applying any cleaning solution, every type of awning needs a thorough dry brushing first. Dry brushing is exactly what it sounds like—using a dry brush to clean a surface. For awnings, this light cleaning step can remove a significant amount of loose dirt, debris, and other staining materials.
Start with a soft bristle brush or broom to wipe off any debris. Transfer to a hard bristle brush if necessary. Just make sure to apply a decent amount of elbow grease and brush both sides of the awning before you get started on the heavy cleaning.
#3 Apply a Cleaning Solution
Still seeing stubborn stains or debris after a thorough dry brushing? Then it’s time to dip your awning’s toes into a wet cleaning solution.
Knowing how to clean awning fabric starts with knowing the right stain-fighting solution for your material. With that in mind, you can still follow the same general wet cleaning routine for most awnings. After dry brushing, take these next steps:
- Pull on your gloves or hand coverings
- Wet the entire awning with your hose, spray bottle, or another clean water source (UNLESS you own a vinyl awning)
- Dip a stiff bristle brush into your cleaning solution of choice until saturated
- Scrub the awning in circular motions with firm pressure in one small area at a time
Rinse off the cleaning solution with clean water
Keep in mind that certain awning fabrics may be more delicate than others––make sure to be gentle when cleaning to prevent any damage.
#4 Dry Your Awning
Once your awning is wet, you must let it dry completely. Otherwise, you run the risk of it attracting mildew or mold. Air drying is a safe solution for any awning type. Certain fabric for awnings may also be machine washable, especially if they’re made of canvas.
How Often Should You Clean Awnings?
Whether you’re cleaning camper awnings or residential awnings, you may be wondering how often to clean them. Technically, there’s no hard rule for how often to clean your awning. For residential awnings, the best guideline for timing how to clean an awning is as often as it needs.
If your home environment is dusty, tree-heavy, or susceptible to harsh weather, you may need to do a thorough cleaning multiple times per year. On the flip side, an awning for a house in mild conditions may only need a deep clean once per year. The best way to know is to keep an eye out for any signs of stains or loss of color.
Looking for more guidance on RV awnings? Learn how to clean RV awning shades to keep your vehicle looking squeaky clean on the road.
If your awning is experiencing color loss or permanent stains after years of use, it may be time to replace your awning fabric. Nevertheless, by ensuring proper care and maintenance, you can extend the lifespan of your awning for many more years. Pro tip: Regular cleaning doesn’t have to include heavy maintenance. You can dry-brush your awning as often as you’d like (in case any pesky leaves show up).
Which Cleaning Solutions Work for Different Stains?
When discussing “stains” on awnings, most people mean fabric stains. Fabric is a very common awning material, but its absorbency makes it more susceptible to stains. To prevent worsening a stain, learn how to clean fabric awnings for these common stains:
- Organic debris (mud, bird fecal matter, etc.) – mild soap and water or vinegar and water
- Mold and mildew – bleach, dish soap, and water
- Algae – Hydrogen peroxide and water
- Leaf oils or tannins – Organic stain remover, ammonia and water, or bleach and water
- Tree fruits – Dish soap and a 3-6% ammonia solution in water
- Cooking grease – Dish soap and cold water or a commercial cleaner
While canvas awnings are the most stain prone, other awnings are still susceptible to these stains. Metal awnings can easily develop rust, which is removable with diluted citric acid, vinegar, or oxalic acid solution. Meanwhile, vinyl awnings require a commercial cleaning solution, as regular dish soap and water can damage the material.
Protect and Preserve Your Awning with ALEKO
An awning is meant to enhance your property for years, not just for one season. By cleaning your awning, you can preserve its beauty for a lifetime of shady lounging. Simply grab your tools when necessary, and get scrubbing.
Need help picking the perfect awning color or style for your home or vehicle? Our experts at ALEKO can point you in the right direction. Whether you want motorized retractable awnings or awning accessories to spruce up your existing shady spot, our collection can provide the high-quality outdoor coverage you need. View our awning supply today and contact us for a free installation estimate.
Sources:
eHow. What Type of Cleaning Agents Are Used for Fabric Awnings? https://www.ehow.com/facts_4965288_cleaning-agents-used-fabric-awnings.html
Better Homes & Gardens. How to Clean a Deck to Remove Tough Stains and Grimy Buildup. https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/deck/building/how-to-remove-stains-on-decks-porches/
