Fabric awnings can be retractable or fixed and are used in commercial and residential locations. Regular maintenance, cleaning, and reapplying protective coatings are some of the ways you can protect your investment.
This post will address:
We will also address removing stains, and the care of vinyl, acrylic, and natural fiber awning fabrics.
This post will be of value to home and business owners looking to maintain their fabric awnings, and thus their investment, and also those charged with maintaining fabric awnings.
Awning fabric care is an important part of maintaining your awning so it will continue to offer shade and protection from the weather for years. Your awning may be a retractable model that retracts into a cassette or is covered by a hood cover to protect it, under an overhang, soffit or eave, or just a tight roll against a wall. Others such as fixed awnings are permanently stretched over a frame and exposed to the elements 24-7.
Regardless of the style of awning, you need to regularly clean outdoor fabric awnings. The canopy experiences temperature extremes and rain. It is exposed to airborne pollutants, dirt, grease, bird droppings, insects, leaf tannins and tree pitch, plus other substances which can stain or bleach cloth. The rain may wash some off; however, dirt can get into the weave and cause the growth of mold. Covers rolled up damp, will most likely lead to fabric mildew, even fixed material may stay damp and develop mildew.
Awning fabric may be made of synthetic materials like acrylic and vinyl, or from natural materials like cotton, hemp, and linen. Not all fabrics are cleaned with the same soaps or techniques, and different materials need to be coated with water-resistant or waterproof and mildew resisting solutions. You can hire a professional to maintain and clean your awnings, or do it yourself.
Fabric Awning Cleaning Solutions
Cleaning your awning can be a fun summer day activity, or there are professional services available that will do it for you. There are awning cleaning supplies you can purchase, or you can prepare your own. Before you clean a canvas awning (including acrylic or vinyl), always test the awning cleaning solution in an area that isn’t visible to make sure it won’t damage the material
Note: The following homemade solutions work for natural materials, acrylic, and vinyl. However, some are noted for the acrylic and natural fabric but not vinyl.
How to clean the topside of a fabric awning
Regular cleaning of the topside with a fabric awning cleaner helps to protect the fabric and colors. Residential awnings should be cleaned once a year and commercial ones every 4 to 8 weeks depending on their location. Some fabrics are small and can fit in a washing machine, but most won’t. Before washing the awning, sweep off leaves, cobwebs, and other loose dirt.
Use a mild eco-friendly liquid soap recommended for the type of fabric in your awning – the manufacturer’s instructions often have recommendations. A bucket of cold to lukewarm water with dish soap and a soft bristle brush works; a pressure washer set very, very low, or a hose work too. Wet the awning. Begin at the bottom edge and work up. Use sweeping motions with the brush or power washer on a very, very low setting but let the soap work in and lift the dirt out. Rinse from the top down, and thoroughly remove the soap and dirt. Let the material dry before retracting.
How to clean the underside of a fabric awning
Clean the underside in the same way you clean the topside. It’s a good idea also to wash and rinse the metal frame too. The underside often collects grease from open windows, vents, and BBQs, so use grease-cutting dish soap if necessary.
How to clean grease and sprays off of a fabric awning
Clean cooking grease, sunscreen oil, bug sprays, and other chemicals from awnings with mild dish soap mixed with water. It should remove it, and then wash and rinse away. If you somehow get automotive grease on natural or acrylic, use acetone to remove it, and then wash and rinse the area well. On vinyl, gently scrape or wipe the grease off. Blot the area with a dry cloth. Use dish soap and gently rub it into the area and then rinse well with warm water.
How to clean paint off of a fabric awning
If you managed to get some paint on the awning while touching up window frames or other trim, don’t worry; it does clean up. Dab oil based paint dry as much as possible. Use paint, oil or grease remover on natural and acrylic material, and use an orange based citrus cleaner on vinyl. Work it in with a soft brush, and then wash with dish soap and rinse well. For water-based (latex) paint use a concentrated drop of liquid soap and work it into the paint, and then rinse thoroughly. You may have to do it a second time.
How to clean stains off of a fabric awning
Leaves, fruit from trees, mildew, and algae can all leave stains on fabric awnings. There are tannins and oils in many leaves which can seep into the fabric and may be difficult to remove. The sooner the leaves are removed, the better. Wash the stain with an organic stain remover; you may want to let it sit on the stain for up to 30 minutes before gently washing and thoroughly rinsing – possibly twice. If that doesn’t work, try a solution of ammonia and water or bleach and water.
Note: Never mix ammonia with bleach as it creates a poisonous chlorine gas.
For fruit stains use dish soap and 3-6% ammonia mixture in water. Rub it in with a soft bristle brush or even your finger. Let sit for a couple of minutes, and wash and rinse the area well. Mildew requires a ½ cup of bleach mixed with a ¼ cup of dish soap in a gallon of water. Brush the mixture in, then wash and rinse completely. Algae stains can be more difficult. Mix 6 parts water with 1 part hydrogen peroxide and put in a spray bottle. Spray on the stain and let sit for 30 minutes, and then rinse off. Repeat if necessary. To help prevent the return of algae, mix equal parts of vinegar and water, spray it on the fabric, and let it dry.
How to clean tree pitch off of a fabric awning
Remove tree pitch from acrylic or natural materials with a mixture of turpentine and liquid dish soap. To remove sap from vinyl, use a grease remover or rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth. Work it gently into the pitch; you want to soften the sap, not spread it around. Wash the area with mild soap and water. Repeat if necessary – possibly 2 or 3 times depending on how thick the patch of pitch is.
How to clean rust off of a fabric awning
Iron oxide or rust needs a mixture of water and citric acid or oxalic acid. Gently work it into the spot, and then wash and rinse.
How to clean bird droppings off of a fabric awning
Bird droppings often have berry juice mixed in. Treat the dropping, and then the berry stain if necessary. Scrape as much of the excrement off as you can with a plastic spoon. Mix dish soap with water in a bowl. Wet a soft cloth and dab the area. Blot with a dry cloth, and repeat until gone. Use a mixture of equal parts ammonia and hydrogen peroxide on stubborn spots. Blot with clean water when done, and the dry.
Waterproofing Or Water Resistant
After the acrylic or natural fiber awning fabric is clean, it should have retreatment to prevent mildew, block UV, and to either water resistant or waterproof the material.
Awning Cleaning Supplies
There are numerous commercial fabric awning cleaner products available. Some state they are for vinyl and others for acrylic and natural materials. There are general cleaning solutions and also specialty products for stains. You can purchase awning cleaning supplies or look around your house and make your own. Regardless of the cleaner, you will need a soft bristle brush, 2 to 5-gallon pail, several soft cloths, and an empty spray bottle. A pressure washer or hose may help too. Here are some cleaning product suggestions.
Dish soap and cold to lukewarm water in a bucket. There are many commercial products available from $8 up to $60.
Kitchen dish soaps are good at cutting cooking grease and most other sprays that people use on themselves. Commercial fabric awning cleaners will clean up grease and sunscreen too.
Use acetone or dish soap on natural or acrylic fabric, and dish soap on vinyl canopies. If selecting a commercial product, ensure it is for the material being cleaned.
Dish soap to clean, and water to rinse.
Use commercial paint, grease or oil remover on natural or acrylic covers. Orange citrus cleaners work for vinyl.
Use an organic stain remover, and then wash with dish soap and water. Rinse thoroughly. Alternatively, use a mixture of ammonia and water or bleach and water on stubborn stains.
Dish soap and 3-6% ammonia mixture in water.
Mix ½ cup of bleach with a ¼ cup of dish soap in a gallon of water for acrylic and vinegar in water for vinyl fabric.
Mix 6 parts water with 1 part hydrogen peroxide and put in a spray bottle for natural and acrylic, and vinegar-water mixture.
For acrylic or natural materials, mix turpentine and liquid dish soap. Use a grease remover or rubbing alcohol on vinyl.
Mix citric acid (lemon juice), vinegar or oxalic acid with water for vinyl, acrylic, or natural fabrics.
Mix dish soap with water.
Acrylic and natural material need to be retreated for UV and mildew protection and also made water-resistant or waterproof. Vinyl needs to be protected from UV and mildew.
Awning Care
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Fabric Type
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Natural
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Acrylic
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Vinyl
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General Cleaning
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Laundry or dish soap & cold water or Canvas Commercial Cleaner
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Laundry or dish soap & cold water or Acrylic Commercial Cleaner
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Dish soap & cold water or Vinyl Commercial Cleaner
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Cooking Grease
&
Sunscreens
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Dish soap & cold water or Commercial Cleaner
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Dish soap & cold water or Commercial Cleaner
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Dish soap & warm water or Vinyl Commercial Cleaner
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Automotive Grease
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Acetone or dish soap
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Acetone or dish soap
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Dish soap
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Latex Paint
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Dish soap & water
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Dish soap & water
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Dish soap & water
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Oil Paint
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Commercial paint, grease or oil remover
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Commercial paint, grease or oil remover
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Dish soap
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Leaf Tannins & Oils
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Organic stain remover,
ammonia and water or bleach and water
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Organic stain remover,
ammonia and water or bleach and water
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Organic stain remover,
ammonia and water
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Fruit Stains
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Dish soap and 3-6% ammonia mixture in water
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Dish soap and 3-6% ammonia mixture in water
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Dish soap and 3-6% ammonia mixture in water
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Mildew
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Bleach & dish soap mix in water
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Bleach & dish soap mix in water
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Vinegar & water or a quality commercial cleaner
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Algae Stains
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Hydrogen peroxide in water
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Hydrogen peroxide in water
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Mixture of 30% vinegar and 70% water
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Tree Pitch
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Turpentine and dish soap
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Turpentine and dish soap
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Grease remover or rubbing alcohol
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Rust
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Citric acid or vinegar or oxalic acid with water
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Citric acid or vinegar or oxalic acid with water
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Citric acid or vinegar or oxalic acid with water
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Bird Droppings
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Dish soap & water
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Dish soap & water
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Dish soap & water
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Retreatment
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For UV and mildew protection, and water resistance or waterproofing
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For UV and mildew protection, and water resistance or waterproofing
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Use a quality surface protectant for UV and mildew
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Caring for a fabric awning can be left to the professionals, or you can do it yourself. There are commercial awning cleaning solutions available, or you can use common household products and make your own. No matter the product, always test it to ensure it won’t damage the fabric. Remember, after cleaning, the material should be retreated to protect it from mildew and UV rays and made water resistant or waterproof if needed.
If you have any questions regarding awning fabric care or looking for a quality retractable awning for your home or business check our catalog or simply drop us a line using the online contact form!
