How do I keep my awning fabric clean? This is common question, but often asked too late in the lifespan of the fabric. We educate our customers at the time of purchase, but its hard to keep up with that stuff after so many years.
The first step in keeping your fabric clean is to choose the right fabric for your awning location. Lets say the wall we are mounting on is facing south, has new brick or wood, and not too many trees or large foliage around it. For this location we could use just about any fabric or color and get great results. On the other hand lets say your mounting location faces north, or has lots of trees, or the building is very old brick with lots of stains. For this location we really want to consider a non woven product, like a vinyl, that will stay dry and resist dirty water sitting on it.
Perhaps you already have fabric awnings that are dirty, or you had to have a fabric type/color to match your brand that you know will get nasty. If that is the case, the first step is to review the fabric manufactures cleaning and treatment instructions. Follow those! Do not power wash or try some wiz-bang fabric cleaner you heard about. Elbow grease is likely required and often hated. Like most outdoor items, keeping them clean early on and from the get-go always maximizes lifespan. Your awnings are no exception, like anything else on the exterior of your home. Service is required at some point.