Summer is upon us and with it comes the promise of sunny days spent outdoors and long balmy evenings. Before you go racing to invite all your friends around for a barbeque, there’s a good chance your yard and patio may need a little summer cleaning, this includes your retractable awnings. Though it may slip down the to-do list, a comprehensive clean will not only increase the longevity of your awnings but have you thanking yourself for the clean and comfy shade when the temperatures begin to soar.

Yearly Spruce

We recommend at least one deep clean of your retractable awnings per year, though at the start and end of the warmer months is ideal. 

Choose a warm, sunny day and begin by gently removing any loose dirt, leaves and debris with a hand brush or broom from both the top and underside of the awning. Brush over all moving parts of the awning, all stubborn dust can be removed by spraying the mechanisms with compressed air.  

Fill your bucket with warm water and a mild soap or detergent and lightly scrub the fabric of your awning with a soft bristled brush. For any stubborn stains, allow the soapy water to soak the canvas and sit for fifteen minutes then persist with gently working the fabric with a soft bristle brush. Be sure to remove all of the solution with fresh water from your hose as detergents can leave a film on the fabric of your awning. Refrain from using harsh chemicals, bleach and hard bristles on your awning as this can damage the fabric.

Once you have left your awning to dry, inspect the fabric for any remaining signs of mould and treat with a mould specific cleaner. Follow the instructions for your awning’s particular fabric carefully and rinse thoroughly before leaving your awning to fully dry in the sun before retracting it. To avoid rust and damage, treat the mechanisms of your awning with a lubricant like WD40 and it will feel good as new for years to come.

Monthly Maintenance

After a deep clean your awnings should be looking pristine. Any marks that occur during more frequent use should be spot treated when they occur or as soon as possible to avoid stains setting into the fabric. Otherwise, a gentle brush and hose down once a month during this time will keep your awnings fresh for you to enjoy outdoor dining and lounging all summer long.

• Your Fashionline team