Awnings protect your home and commercial space from weather elements. They also need protection from dust and debris. Since awnings are exposed to weather elements, they can get dirty easily. Proper cleaning is essential to ensure that your awnings look new and last longer. Dust, pollution, pollen and leaves can all dirty up your awnings. Bird droppings are another huge problem. They can cause discoloration on almost all kinds of materials. You should rinse them off as soon as you spot them.

Both metal and fabric awnings need to be washed. By cleaning them once or twice a year, you can keep them looking their best. Frequent cleaning is also necessary to protect their finish.

Here are some awning cleaning tips:

Rinse regularly

Both metal and fabric awnings should be rinsed at least once a year to remove the dirt and dust that have accumulated on them. You can use a regular garden hose for this job. You will most probably have to climb a ladder to reach the topmost area of the awning. If there are trees near the window or the porch on which the awning is installed you will have to rinse it more frequently. Frequent rinsing will prevent dirt from baking onto it.

Wash it with a soap solution

If the awning looks dirty even after you have rinsed it, you will have to wash it with a soap solution and a brush. If the awning is made from fabric, you should use a mild detergent solution to clean it. Brush the awning with a soft-bristled brush. Don’t use a stiff-bristled brush as it will damage the waterproof coating of the awning. And if the fabric is old, a stiff brush can damage the fabric itself.
A wand-style brush used to wash your car is also suitable for washing a metal awning. Use a mild detergent or soap to wash metal awnings.

Dealing with Debris

Over time, debris can get deposited on the awnings. You should remove twigs and other large debris whenever you spot them. If there are trees within a few feet of the awnings, you will probably have to cut the branches. This is essential to keep your awnings cleaner.

Pollen can also get deposited on the awnings. You should brush it off whenever you see it.

Difficult Dirt

If mild soap or detergent cannot remove residue or gummy buildup, you will have to resort to spot treatments. In the case of fabric awnings, you should soak the dirty area with a fabric cleaner for ten or fifteen minutes. Brush gently and then rinse. Use vinegar or a household cooktop cleaner to remove the sooty buildup on your aluminum awnings.

If you have fabric awnings, you should avoid grilling near the area. The awning may catch fire. Even if it doesn’t catch fire, the heat and fire can damage the awning with grease and soot.

While you can use a pressure washer to rinse your awnings, it is not the most recommended method. If pressure washing is not done carefully, it can scar the fabric.

Vinyl awnings have to be scrubbed. Make sure that you are using the right cleaner. Otherwise no amount of scrubbing will help.