Do you have to clean the awnings? Find out how to do this in 4 easy steps
Awnings are an essential protective cover for all windows and balconies that are flooded by direct sunlight, especially during the sunny season: without them we would not be able to take advantage of the open spaces and even the rooms with facing windows become intolerably hot. To this end then, many install awnings that can then be closed without any hassle when they are not needed, and which we can easily open when they are needed.
This basically means that when the period in which the sun begins to strike the house starts (in summer, typically), we open the awning and then close them up only after a few months (or perhaps on days of strong wind or rain). As a result, the awnings remain exposed to all forms of dirt, and although they are made of materials that resist sunlight - and are also usually very resistant to humidity - over the months and years they end up losing their original coloring (i.e. they fade in the strong sunlight over time).
What can we do to clean our awnings? Read on to find out how to take care of this task in four simple steps:
- 1. Get a bucket of soap and water: Fill a bucket with warm water and a little soap. Soap used for laundry or even castile soap will do. Use a cloth (some use roller brushes, which are useful but do not always rub the fabric properly) to dip into the soapy water and then squeeze it out and scrub the fabric of the awning (which is held taut). In cases where there are more stubborn stains, use a mix of water and baking soda. But if that doesn't work either, use specific awning cleaners. In any case, do not use bleach or other harsh chemicals which could damage the fabric.
- 2. Scrub gently: you can use a soft bristle brush, to be used very gently. It is best to spend more time on the dirty areas, letting the soap do its work slowly. Don't rush this step in the cleaning process.
- 3. Leave the awning to dry out in the sun: it must remain taut in order to dry out completely. Only when you are sure there is no residual moisture, can you close the awning.
- 4. Waterproofing: there are sprays to use on these awning that are used to restore the waterproofing film. When the awning is completely dry, you can apply this product, following the manufacturer's instructions.
Cleaning is usually done at the beginning and / or at the end of the summer, and it is recommended to do this cleaning every two years unless there are reasons to do it sooner . If the awning does not stay open for a long time during the year, you can also do the cleaning less often. It may be more than enough, in fact, just to use a little water to remove the dust that accumulates during the summer - about once a month is recommended.
