Creating More Living Space Outdoors

Basic Canvas Awning Maintenance Tips You Should Know

by Emily Flores

Would you like your residential canvas awnings to last longer and retain their great looks? One of the things you should do is to keep them clean. If you let dirt accumulate on the awnings, mold and mildew issues will ensue. 

Besides elements like bird droppings, dust, and dirt leave unpleasant stains on the fabric, which affects its general appearance. So, how can you keep your residential awnings in great shape? Some essential tips are outlined below.

Check the Awnings for Wear and Tear

Generally, you are supposed to keep your canvas awnings away from vines, trees, and shrubs. Plants usually provide an acid that damages the fabric, so when the awning material is exposed to the acid constantly, the appearance and performance of the awning will be affected. Sometimes trees even cause rips.

Consider checking the awning fabric regularly to identify if there are any tears. If you notice some, then the repairs should be done right away, so they don't expand and make the repair work difficult. Placing a repair tape on the small rips will ensure the damage doesn't spread.

Avoid Relying on The Rain to Do the Cleaning

Although a heavy downpour is an easy way to keep your residential awnings clean, it's wrong to rely on it fully. Rain will get rid of the loose dirt but will not eliminate any stubborn stains you have on the awning material. Besides, most areas don't receive rain throughout the year, which means the awnings will stay dirty for too long.

It's also crucial to note that raindrops can shorten a residential canvas's lifespan. This is because they come into contact with different elements in the atmosphere, like nitrogen. When such elements are allowed to settle on the canvas for long, the material will fade. So, be sure to clean the awnings regularly when it rains to eliminate these elements that cause premature wear.

Clean the Awnings Correctly

How you clean your canvas awnings will determine their longevity and general appearance over the years. For this reason, it's crucial to use the correct cleaning method. Start by brushing the canvas with a soft broom to eliminate the loose dirt, dust, bird droppings, and other build-ups. 

Then, use a water hose to saturate the entire canvas with water before applying a cleaning agent on the canvas and working it through with a soft brush. It's always better to use dishwashing liquid soap or laundry detergent instead of buying conventional cleaners. Let the cleaning agent settle on the canvas for some minutes and wash it off. Allow the residential awnings to dry on their own after rising.

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