Taking
Care of Your Awning
Fabric awning cleaning instruction:
What You Need Before You Start
Required Items:
- Chemical Sprayer, Garden Hose,
Garden Hose Nozzle, Brush or Sponge for Scrubbing Awning,
Vinyl or Fabric Cleaner, Vinyl or Fabric Sealer, Ladder,
Extension Poles
Applying Cleaners
Cleaner:
- Use cleaners that are
specifically formulated for vinyl or fabric materials.
Technique:
- Apply cleaner to a dry awning.
Wetting the awning often reduces the effectiveness of the
cleaners.
- Apply cleaner evenly and with a
saturating mist. Apply from the bottom up. Do not let cleaner
dry on the awning.
Scrubbing the
Awning
Tools:
- Vinyl Awnings: Hand scrubbing
with a soft sponge is the best way to clean a moderately
soiled awning, although a soft bristle brush is also safe and
effective. Never use abrasive cleaners or scrubbers.
- Fabric Awnings: A soft or medium
brush or similar scrubbing device works best.
Technique:
- Wash in a consistent fashion
with even and usually up and down strokes.
- Apply uniform pressure when
scrubbing.
- Start from bottom and work up.
- Overlap your strokes. This will
guarantee that no sections are missed.
- Apply cleaners to all underside
surfaces and let stand for 5 to 15 minutes, then rinse
thoroughly. Usually scrubbing of the awning interior is not
required.
Note: If awning is still not clean,
repeat the above process.
Rinsing
Equipment:
- Garden hose or pressure washer.
Pressure should not exceed 300 P.S.I.
Technique:
- Thoroughly rinse the awning
until the water runoff is clear. Residual cleaner may leave a
chalky appearance on the awning after it dries.
Special Tips
Pressure:
- Pressure cleaning is a common
cause of permanent awning damage, and it is very ineffective.
A pressure washer can be used as a water delivery system for
rinsing your awning after cleaning or for removing debris
(cobwebs, bugs, leaves, etc.) from the inside of the awning.
Pressure should not exceed 300 P.S.I.
Mildew:
- If limited mildew exists, then a
chloride-free "mildew cleaner" can be used. If mildew is
severe, than diluted liquid chlorine is necessary. ALWAYS do a
Q-tip test in a hidden spot to make sure the material is
colorfast.
When using chlorine:
- Use it as diluted as possible
but to still be effective
- Use only where necessary
- Do not let it dry on the awning
- Thoroughly rinse so chlorine is
completely flushed from awning. If there are plants nearby,
they should be sprayed in advance of treatment to prevent
burning of plant leaves and roots.
Fabric awning
sealing instructions:
What You Need Before You
Start
Equipment:
- 2 pint or 1 gallon pump sprayer,
Ladder
Vinyl Material
The Product:
- Vinyl sealers are typically
water based silicone products and will last from two to four
months.
Application:
- The best way to apply the sealer
is with a small pump sprayer. Lightly mist the product on the
awning and rub with a sponge or clean terry cloth towel.
Benefit:
- The sealer is a barrier between
the elements and the environment. They offer UV protection,
slow the growth of mildew, and leave the material supple and
shiny. Another benefit is they make future cleaning easier.
Fabric Material
The Product:
- Fabric sealers can be water or
solvent based product. The water based products last six
months, are easy to work with and easy to clean up. The
solvent based sealers offer the longest protections.
Benefit:
- The sealer is a barrier between
the elements and the environment. They offer UV protection,
waterproofing, slow the growth of mildew, and make future
cleanings easier.
Special Tips
Awning Interior:
- It is usually not necessary to
seal the bottom side of a fabric awning. If you are trying to
waterproof a patio awning, then sealing both sides can be very
helpful.
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Contact Us
Awning Solutions
3858 87th St SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
Tacoma (253) 589-1900 Seattle (206) 242-1414
awningsolutions@hotmail.com
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