An awning is not made just from any material—it is made using a specialty fabric like polyester, vinyl, PVC coated mesh fabric, acrylic, or other kinds of composites. The awning fabric can hold out against various elements such as fire, mold, and mildew, but you should be keen on caring for it to maintain its quality and longevity.
If you want your custom awning covers to maintain their good condition and colors, follow these dos and don’ts of awning care.
1. Keep a Regular Inspection and Maintenance Schedule
Do not ignore your awning just because it still looks excellent and seems like it’s functioning well. You need to regularly inspect the awning’s frame and fabric. Doing this will make you aware of hidden or small damages that may need fixing. The frame can get damaged without your knowledge so it is important that you inspect it regularly to avoid malfunctions and accidents.
Check the awning for possible tears and rips as well. If you spot any issues, you should get it repaired as soon as possible.
2. Use the Proper Cleaning Methods
To maintain the quality of your aluminum awnings, you must clean them at least once a month. The debris and dirt accumulated in it should be washed off so they do not settle in and affect the color. This can be done by hosing down the awning and letting it air dry after.
Take note that you should not use bleach or chemical cleaners with harsh formulations when cleaning your awning fabric. Such cleaning solutions can easily destroy the fabric’s integrity and degrade its resistance to certain elements like mold and mildew.
3. Get Rid of Dirt, Debris and Foliage
Aside from hosing down your awning, you can sweep off the dust, debris, and cobwebs on it. However, remember to do this lightly so as not to damage the material. Also, make sure that foliage and other greenery do not grow on your awning. That greenery can easily lead to debris build-up which can tear through your fabric because of the growing branches.
4. Inspect for Spiders and Other Insects
Inspect the topside and underside of the canopy and the metal frame. Spiders like to hide and stay inside the metal frame, so you should carefully remove the spiderwebs using a brush rather than your hand. Also, when storing your awning, remember to keep it in a dry place that’s far away from possible critters.
5. Try Waterproofing
If you want to prolong the lifespan of your awning, consider spraying it down with a waterproofing solution. Doing this will help increase its resistance against dust, dirt, and moisture, which will retain its quality and beauty.
Final Thoughts
Awnings are great providers of shade and can be used all year round. They are extremely beneficial, so it is great to invest in them for your home or for your business’s brick-and-mortar location. However, you should know how to clean it properly. You can ask your awning manufacturer how you should take care of awnings so you will avoid damaging them through the cleaning process.
If you want residential or commercial awnings installed, check out Van Nuys Awning Corporation. We have been in the business since 1918 and have always promised quality products. We offer a wide variety of products such as commercial and residential awnings, shade panels, canopies, carport awnings, retractable awnings, and a lot more. Check out our website today and choose from our range of high-quality products!