Question: How often do you clean your outdoor awning or blinds?
If the answer is never, rarely or now and again, then it’s time for a wake-up call!
If you live in Australia, you likely have one or both in your home for protection against UV damage. Yet, like all home furnishings, awnings and blinds need proper care and maintenance to keep them attractive and sustain their quality. And it all starts with cleaning them properly!
In this article, we share our top tips on caring for blinds and awnings effectively so they continue looking and working to their best – saving YOU, the homeowner, on costly replacements!
Why it’s Essential to Keep Your Outdoor Blinds and Canvas Awnings Clean
Australian outdoor fabrics are made from tough stuff – they have to be when facing some of the harshest conditions on the planet. As such, you must maintain a regular cleaning routine so they remain at their operational best.
If you’re unsure how to clean fabric blinds and awnings, you’re not alone. They are often forgotten or thrown into the ‘too hard basket’. But it’s actually very straightforward, and with proper care and maintenance, cleaning your outdoor blinds or canvas awning fabrics will ensure they stay in tip-top shape.
Remember, it is far cheaper to keep up a cleaning routine for outdoor blinds and canvas awning fabrics than to replace them. So, let’s dive into our top tips for keeping those all-important sun protectors clean!
Our Top Tips for Keeping Outdoor Blinds and Canvas Awnings Clean
Before you get started, consider the fabric you’re working with – because your best cleaning method depends on what your blinds or awning are made from. You’ll also find the cleaning process becomes much easier when you have a plan for the different types of cleaning necessary for their upkeep.
1. Learn How to Clean Outdoor Blinds and Fabric Awnings Properly
Cleaning On-Screen Mesh Blinds
For cleaning on-screen mesh blinds, we recommend using a soft bristle brush or microfibre cloth and rubbing it across the fabric using a circular motion. You don’t need any detergent for this – just the cleaning cloth or brush. Follow this step by hosing down the fabric using cold water. Moderate hosing (not high pressure) will assist in the removal of any debris from within the fabric weave.
Bonus tip: Many customers ask us how to remove blinds before cleaning them. The good news is you don’t need to! Keep them in place and use a stepladder to reach any high areas.
Cleaning Canvas Awnings
First, to remove any water-based stains, treat these first by rinsing them in cold water. Next, if this has not removed the stains, you can gently wash canvas fabrics using a fragrance-free mild detergent and warm water, before rinsing them thoroughly with clean water. Never use high pressure hoses when rinsing your canvas awning. Instead, like with cleaning on-screen mesh blinds, we recommend gentle brushing or rubbing with a soft bristle brush or microfibre cloth. Harsh scrubbing can damage the fabric coating and prevent it from doing its job.
2. Know Your Stains - and Ways to Prevent Them
Due to their location, outdoor fabrics are in the firing line for various types of dirt, such as:
- Bird droppings
- Earth/soil
- Sand
- Vegetation
- Food
If any of these substances come into contact with your blind or awning, they are likely to cause stains, so removing them as quickly as possible is best to avoid permanent damage.
Depending on the fabric, use the abovementioned method to clean the dirt away before it causes ongoing problems.
While you can’t prevent natural occurrences, many household items – like petrol, oil, solvents, and kerosene- can damage your outdoor fabrics. All these types of fluids should be kept well away from any fabrics to avoid accidental contact, impacting the longevity of your blinds or awning and creating a fire hazard.
3. Avoid Using the Wrong Cleaning Products
With so many cleaning products on the market, it’s tempting to reuse one you already have in your cupboard to clean down your blinds or awning. Our advice is DON’T DO IT!
Most regular detergents, cleaning fluids and insecticides are not designed for use on outdoor fabrics, most of which are specially treated to reflect the sun. Do so, and you risk causing damage to the fabric which in turn can impact the product warranty.
It’s best to use warm water when cleaning your outdoor fabrics or for tough stains or dirt, a specially formulated cleaning product designed to clean heavy-duty, manufactured fabrics used to make blinds and awnings.
4. Use Proper Drying Procedures on Blinds and Awnings
This is an essential tip to follow once you have cleaned your blinds or awning: always allow the cleaned fabric to dry fully before rolling it away.
It might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how often we hear from clients about their blinds becoming mouldy, and it’s unclear why, only to find out they have closed them immediately after cleaning.
After you have successfully removed any stains and cleaned your outdoor blinds or awning, always leave them fully extended in their usage position until the fabric is completely dry. ON typical warm Australian days, this won’t take long to complete and will save you the fresh headache of removing unwanted mildew next time you’re on cleaning duty.
5. Preventing Mould and Mildew on Blinds and Awnings
Speaking of mildew. It’s one of the most common (and serious) causes of damage to outdoor blinds and awnings. Mildew builds up extremely quickly and can completely ruin the fabric in no time at all. The best way to tackle mould and mildew is by taking a preventative approach, as follows:
- Brush dirt away from the fabric regularly
- Rinse down fabric with cold water
- Allow the fabric to dry in full
If mould or mildew does get the better of your blinds or awning, there are ways to remove it.
How to Remove Mould from Canvas
Mildew and mould are terrors on fabric, and you will be keen to remove these unsightly additions to your fabric as quickly as possible. Yet it’s essential to do so properly to avoid damaging the blinds or awning – and that means putting away any abrasive cleaning fluids such as bleach, which can strip, stain, or damage the protective surface.
Instead, follow these steps:
- Purchase a specialist mildew remover.
- Spray the fabric blind or awning with water until it’s soaked.
- Add the mildew remover, scrubbing the stained areas using a cleaning brush.
- Rinse off the cleaner using regular hosing – NOT a high-pressure hose.
- Allow the awning or fabric blind to dry thoroughly in the sun.
6. Implement a Regular Outdoor Fabric Cleaning Strategy
While you need to clean outdoor fabrics immediately if any stains are visible, the general rule of thumb for scheduled cleaning is once a month, using the methods we explored in this article – considering the type of fabric, cleaning products, drying process and whether you’re cleaning away stains and mildew or giving your product a thorough clean.
Additionally, you should conduct a deep clean (rather than just spot cleaning monthly) once every couple of years. By doing so, you will extend the life of your outdoor fabrics and enjoy their high-quality protection from the sun.
H2 A Final Word...
Dirt, marks and mould are inevitable for outdoor fabrics, thanks to their exposure to the elements. However, prompt attention to the affected areas will minimise the chance of permanent staining or fabric degradation.
It’s essential you learn how to clean canvas awnings and fabric blinds properly to get the maximum shelf-life from your products while protecting people from excessive sun.
Use our top tips for caring for blinds and awnings, and give yourself peace of mind that your investment will last for years.
For more information about sun control products visit rickyrichards.com.au/product-category/sun-control