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How to Clean Your Awning

October 3, 2015

​So you’ve got that great awning up and it looks beautiful! But now what? Remember, just because your awning is waterproof doesn’t mean you don’t have to clean it! To get the most out of your awning – especially longevity – remember you have to wash it!
We would suggest that you clean your awning at least every two-three months using a solution of mild soap and water. You can use soaps like Woolite, or Dawn or Ivory dishwashing liquid. In fact, here are some more tips on how to clean your awning:

  •  Brush off loose dirt.
  • Hose it down gently. Don’t use excessively strong streams of water.
  • Don’t use an abrasive sponge or material to scrub your awning, you can damage it that way.
  • Use a soft brush.
  • Let the soapy solution soak to help get rid of tough stains.
  • If stains are stubborn and don’t go away, use a diluted bleach/soap solution to spot clean. But remember, using bleach can discolor your awning so check with your awning professional or fabric manufacturer on what kind of solution you can use on the fabric.
  • Sunbrella recommends using 1 cup of bleach and ¼ cup of mild soap per gallon of clean water.
  • Rinse your awning completely. Don’t let any soapy residue remain.
  • Air dry.
Keep in mind that cleaning your awning will be much easier if you keep the area around it clean. That means cutting trees so that branches and leaves don’t fall on your awning. Also, you can apply protective solutions like 303 Fabric Guard after you’re done cleaning. Why? Because when you clean your awning fabric, some of the original finish and water repellency qualities are reduced. That’s why applying things like 303 Fabric Guard can help your awning last.

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​​And remember, you can always hire professionals to help. You can also contact your local awning shop for tips and advice. 

​For more information about awnings and other shade structures, contact us today to see how we can help you. You can also visit us at http://americanawningabc.com. You can also call us if you have any questions at 800-654-5933. Or email us at info@americanawningabc.com.