How to clean your awnings to keep them in top condition

Awnings are appealing accessories that many people use to improve the energy efficiency and look of their house. They can help keep your house cool in summer and can also offer a shadowy place for you to relax in when you're outside. Awnings are prone to attract dust and dirt, as they are outdoors all the time. To keep your awnings in peek condition to make them last longer, as well as improving the way they look, there are a few things about awning maintenance and cleaning you should know about.

Cleaning

The first thing you should do to make sure your awnings are looking as good as they can is to clean them regularly. This doesn't mean you need to take them down and wash them up every time. Just go over them with a rather stiff brush to get rid of dust and dirt they have collected as soon as you notice it to make sure the dirt doesn't stick to the fabric. The easiest way to do this is to do it while the awning is erected, which means the procedure can be done rather quickly without any disassembly needed.

Washing

Even if you don't take your awnings down after summer, you should still take them down temporarily a couple of times per year to give them a proper clean. Place them on a flat surface and go over them with a brush, water, and a mild detergent appropriate for the material. Make sure you rinse the awnings thoroughly with water afterwards to guarantee you don't get any build up of detergent in the fabric. If you're putting them away for storage afterwards, you need to let them dry properly in a cool place without folding them until they are completely dry.

Waterproofing

Another thing you should consider doing as you're washing your awnings is to waterproof them. This will make them stand rain better and prevent them from growing mould or mildew. There are many waterproofing products made for the different types of fabric used in awnings. This should be done after you've washed the awnings and made sure they are completely dry, as the effect won't be as good on wet fabric. Remember that the waterproofing probably won't stick on dirt either. To make sure you get the full effect of the waterproofing, you should apply the sealant both on the inside and the outside of the awning. 

For more information, talk to a professional like Queensland Blinds and Awnings.