How To Wash Residential Awnings: A Complete Guide

Awnings are designed to protect buildings from dust, wind, and sun exposure. They add a colorful touch to the surroundings as well. However, they can be unpleasant to look at when they don’t receive proper maintenance.

Ideally, you should clean your awnings once or twice a year. Sometimes, you might need to clean them monthly, especially in areas near main roads, so it’s important to know how to wash residential awnings the right way.

In this article, you’ll learn some techniques to help you clean different awning materials. You’ll also find out more about how to treat spots and take care of your clean awnings.

Cleaning Supplies for Washing Residential Awnings

It’s not an absolute must to have specialized equipment or cleaners to wash residential awnings. Yet, there are still some tools and techniques you need to acquire to avoid damaging the canopy material.

Here’s a comprehensive list of all the products and supplies you might use for awning cleaning. (Note that you don’t need all of these products at the same time, every time.)

• Ladder: In many cases, you may be able to remove the awning fabric. This makes it much easier to clean. Yet, if this isn’t possible, you’ll definitely need a ladder to reach the upper sections. In general, make sure to take all safety precautions when using a ladder.
• Garden Hose: Almost all awning cleaners will need a rinse after use. Generally, a garden hose is recommended over a pressure washer as these can be too harsh and cause damage. 
• Bucket: Whether you need it to mix your cleaning products or to have rinsing water at hand, a bucket is usually a necessary tool in cleaning. That’s especially true when a garden hose isn’t available.
• Sponges: A sponge is a great tool to help spread the awning cleaner. It’s also soft and works well for scrubbing surfaces that are prone to scratching. As an alternative, you can use a soft microfiber cloth.
• Spray Bottle: An alternative to a garden hose for wetting your awnings before cleaning or spreading the detergent is a spray bottle. It can also be quite useful for spot-treating stubborn stains.
• Soft-Bristled Brush: A soft-bristled brush is gentle enough to avoid damaging the awning material. It removes dirt and grime effectively while the awning is still dry. To reach high areas easily, use a brush with an extendable handle.
• General Cleaning Solution: For best results, go for a mild, non-abrasive detergent or soap. Harsh chemicals can degrade the fabric or finish of your awning. In general, ordinary dish soap or a specialized awning cleaner should work well.
• Protective Gear: You should wear gloves to protect your hands from soap and dirt. If you’re using any chemical cleaners, you might also need to wear safety goggles and a mask for added safety.

Washing Different Materials

Now that you know all the equipment you may (or may not) need, it’s time to focus on how to clean awnings of different types. Awnings come in various materials, each requiring a certain approach to ensure thorough cleaning.

Take a look at what to do with four of the most common awning materials:

Fabric

Most awnings contain man-made, plastic materials, yet fabric still has its charm. Not only are they the most affordable, but canvas awnings are also durable and flexible. That said, this material is the most susceptible to staining.

Below is everything you need to know about how to clean canopy canvas:

1. Use a soft-bristled brush to remove all loose dirt from the top of your awning.
2. Hose it down with water to loosen up any dried-out bits of debris.
3. Prepare your cleaning solution (preferably dish soap and water).
4. Use a sponge soaked in the cleaning solution to clean the awning fabric (you may use a soft brush to scrub it down gently).
5. Allow time for the cleaning liquid to soak in.
6. Use your garden hose to rinse the awning until there’s no soap residue left.
7. Let the awning air dry completely before retracting or using it.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a durable, rust-resistant material that works excellently in awnings. It’s one of the most popular choices because it’s lightweight and easy to install. Yet, when not being careful with it, it may dent easily.

Check out what you should do to clean aluminum awnings:

1. Remove loose dirt and debris with a soft brush or cloth.
2. Use a sponge to clean the awning with the detergent you prepared (you can find specially formulated cleaners for aluminum awnings in the hardware store).
3. You may be able to use a stiff brush for this kind of material.
4. Rinse off all the soap using your garden hose.
5. Wipe the awning dry with a clean cloth to protect it from water stains.

Vinyl

Unlike fabric, vinyl is completely waterproof and therefore highly durable. Because of that, hosing down your awnings now and then is all you need to do for occasional cleaning. That said, for a more thorough process, follow these steps:

1. Use a water hose to rinse off any loose dirt and dust.
2. Prepare your cleaning solution and apply it over your awning using a soft sponge or spray bottle.
3. Gently scrub the surface using a soft brush (pay attention to heavily soiled areas).
4. Rinse with a hose and allow the awning to air dry.

4. Polyester

Polyester is another durable material that works perfectly in residential awnings. They’re highly resistant to staining and are famous for inhibiting mildew growth. However, they can be prone to fading with constant sun exposure.

Here’s how to clean a polyester awning:

1. Brush off any loose dirt and debris using a broom or soft-bristled brush.
2. Use the cleaning detergent and do a full wash with the help of a sponge.
3. Gently scrub the entire surface to remove all clingy residues.
4. Rinse with a garden hose to remove all the remaining soap.
5. Allow the canopy to dry thoroughly before retracting it.

Cleaning Grease from Awnings

When awnings get greasy, they become hard to clean with just a simple garden hose. Generally, it’s hard to notice when it happens. Yet over time, residual vapor from cooking, bug spray, sunscreen, or any aerosols can accumulate.

Luckily, with the right approach, you can easily remove grease buildup from your residential awnings. Kitchen dish soap works miracles with most types of grease. All you need to do is dilute it in cold water (warm water for aluminum) and scrub it gently.

If you get automotive grease on your acrylic or fabric awnings, you should use acetone to remove it. As for vinyl, you can gently scrape the grease off and blot it dry before using dish soap to clean it.

Awning Stain Removal

Aside from general cleaning, your awnings may need spot treatment now and then. That’s mainly because they remain extended for long periods and are susceptible to all different kinds of stains and pollutants.

Take a look at a brief list of the most common stain varieties and what you need to clean them:

• Paint: For latex paint, you only need to use diluted dish soap (or rubbing alcohol for aluminum awnings). For oil paint, you’ll need commercial paint or oil remover that’s safe for the awning material you have.
• Bird Droppings: As disgusting as it may get, bird droppings are actually easy to clean. Simple dish soap and water mixture is the best awning cleaner in such cases.
• Tree Sap: Tree sap is one of the most common causes of staining on residential awnings. Primarily, it can be sticky and stubborn, but a simple mixture of dish soap and turpentine gets the job done (For vinyl, use rubbing alcohol or a grease remover).
• Mildew: Canvas awnings are the most prone to mold and mildew. So, how to clean mildew off canvas? Use a bleach and dish soap mixture diluted in water. For vinyl canopies, vinegar and water work just fine (vinegar can remove mold from canvas too).
• Algae: For canvas awnings, you can use hydrogen peroxide and water to remove algae stains. For vinyl materials, water and vinegar should be enough (Some stubborn algae stains on aluminum may require the use of bleach).
• Leaf Tannins: For all types of awnings, an organic stain remover or diluted ammonia should work well in removing the stains of leaf tannins and for canvas or acrylic, you can try to use a mixture of bleach and water.

Removing Rust from Awnings

Rust is a common occurrence in any structure that contains iron parts and can be inevitable in humid climates.

When it comes to how to clean a canvas or aluminum awning from rust spots, you can use a basic mixture of water and vinegar with some scrubbing using a metal brush or aluminum foil. 

As a stronger substitute for vinegar, you may try citric acid or oxalic acid combined with water. In all cases, don’t forget to wash and rinse the area thoroughly after treatment.

Cleaning the Underside of Your Awnings

Some people often forget about cleaning the underside of awnings and focus more on the top surface when this is the area that collects most of the flying vapors and grease, so it needs as much attention as the rest of the surfaces.

Besides dirt and grease, underneath your awnings is the perfect place for birds, bees, or spiders to nest. That’s especially true when you don’t close them often. So, whenever you decide to get on with your occasional cleaning, remember to pay attention to the undersides as well.

Just like you do with the top, your awning’s underside needs frequent brushing, spot treating, and washing. Use soapy water for regular washing and a degreaser to remove all the accumulated oils.

Maintaining Your Awning

Proper maintenance is essential to extending the life of just about any item you have in your house, especially outdoor structures. Below are a few tips to keep in mind to get the most out of your awnings and keep them looking as good as ever.

• Clean your awnings regularly to prevent the buildup of dirt, grime, and stains. Depending on the materials, you should follow specific cleaning instructions and avoid using harsh chemicals.
• Check your residential awnings for signs of wear and tear periodically. Early detection of any issue allows you to do timely repairs before the damage worsens.
• Ensure your freshly washed awnings are completely dry before retracting them. Otherwise, trapped moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth. That’s especially true for fabric and polyester materials.
• Keep your awnings closed during extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, or high winds. When you do so, you avoid unnecessary strain on the material and frame.
• Don’t forget to also wash, rinse, and wipe dry the metal frames when cleaning your awnings.
• For retractable awnings, make sure to lubricate the moving parts and joints periodically to prevent any problems with the mechanics.
• Consider applying a fabric or metal sealant to your awnings. This helps enhance the material’s water resistance and UV protection properties. You can either hire a professional or do it yourself (as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions).

TL;DR

• Wash residential awnings once or twice a year (or more frequently in dusty regions).
• Use appropriate tools, including sponges, soft brushes, and spray bottles, to ensure optimal cleaning.
• Note that some materials may need different cleaning products than others, so make sure to follow specific cleaning methods for fabric, aluminum, vinyl, and polyester.
• Address stains like rust, grease, tree sap, and mildew with suitable cleaners.
• Ensure your residential awnings are completely dry before retracting them.
• Regularly check for damages, lubricate moving parts, and apply protective coating as needed.