How to Clean & Maintain Your Retractable Awning: Complete Care Guide
How to Clean & Maintain Your Retractable Awning: Complete Care Guide
Proper maintenance extends the life of your retractable awning by 5–10 years and keeps it looking brand new. Follow this easy care guide to protect your investment — whether you own a Sunscape, Sunflexx, or any other retractable awning in Florida's demanding climate.
Monthly Maintenance Checklist
Set a monthly reminder and spend just 15–20 minutes on these tasks to keep your retractable awning in peak condition:
1. Visual Inspection — Extend the awning fully and look for tears, loose stitching, mildew spots, or bird droppings. Check the arms and hardware for any visible wear or corrosion.
2. Brush Off Debris — Use a soft-bristle broom or brush to sweep leaves, pollen, and dust from the fabric surface while extended. Work from the center outward.
3. Check the Retraction — Extend and retract the awning once. It should move smoothly without jerking, unusual sounds, or resistance. Any grinding or stiffness indicates the arms may need lubrication.
4. Clear the Drainage — Make sure the pitch angle allows water to run off. Standing water is the #1 cause of premature fabric wear and mildew in Florida's humid climate.
How to Deep Clean Retractable Awning Fabric
Deep clean your awning fabric every 3–6 months (more often if you live near the coast or under trees). Here's the step-by-step process:
What You'll Need
- Garden hose with spray nozzle (never use a pressure washer)
- Soft-bristle brush or car wash brush
- Mild soap (dish soap or specialized awning cleaner)
- Bucket of warm water
- Optional: white vinegar for mildew spots
Step-by-Step Deep Cleaning
Step 1: Extend the awning fully and let it dry if it's damp.
Step 2: Rinse the entire fabric surface with a garden hose to remove loose dirt and pollen.
Step 3: Mix a cleaning solution — 1/4 cup mild dish soap per gallon of warm water. For mildew, add 1 cup of white vinegar per gallon.
Step 4: Apply the solution with a soft brush, scrubbing gently in the direction of the fabric weave. Don't scrub aggressively — let the cleaning solution do the work.
Step 5: Let the solution sit for 10–15 minutes (but don't let it dry on the fabric).
Step 6: Rinse thoroughly with clean water until all soap residue is removed.
Step 7: Let the awning dry completely before retracting. This step is critical in Florida's humid climate — retracting a damp awning promotes mildew growth.
Florida-Specific Maintenance Tips
Florida's climate presents unique challenges for awning maintenance. Here are region-specific tips that will keep your retractable awning performing at its best:
Hurricane Season Preparation (June–November)
- Always retract before storms — Even with wind sensors, retract manually before tropical systems. Wind sensors are designed for sudden gusts, not sustained hurricane-force winds.
- Check sensors — Test your wind and rain sensors before hurricane season begins. Replace batteries in wireless sensors.
- Secure the roller — Make sure the retracted awning is fully seated in its housing. Some models have a locking mechanism — engage it.
Salt Air & Coastal Locations
- Rinse monthly — Coastal properties in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Sarasota should rinse awning hardware monthly to prevent salt buildup on the aluminum frame.
- Lubricate arms annually — Apply silicone-based lubricant (never WD-40) to arm pivot points once per year.
- Check for corrosion — Powder-coated aluminum resists corrosion, but inspect for any chips in the coating that could allow salt damage.
Mold & Mildew Prevention
- Never retract when wet — This is the most important rule. Always let the fabric dry completely before retracting.
- If caught in rain — Extend the awning as soon as possible after the rain stops to let it dry before retracting.
- Treat mildew immediately — Mix 1 cup white vinegar + 1 gallon warm water. Apply, wait 15 minutes, scrub gently, and rinse. Don't let mildew spread.
Motorized Awning Maintenance
If you have a motorized retractable awning (like the Sunflexx or motorized Sunscape), add these tasks to your maintenance routine:
- Test the motor monthly — Extend and retract fully to keep the motor and gears functioning smoothly.
- Check the remote batteries — Replace annually or when response becomes sluggish.
- Sensor calibration — Wind and rain sensors should be tested at the start of each storm season.
- Power connections — Inspect the electrical connection point annually for any moisture intrusion or loose wiring.
When to Call a Professional
Most maintenance is DIY-friendly, but contact 1800Awnings or a professional installer if you notice:
- Motor running but awning not moving (gear or clutch issue)
- Uneven extension — one arm extending further than the other
- Fabric tears larger than 6 inches
- Visible frame damage, cracks, or significant corrosion
- Electrical issues with motorized models
Because 1800Awnings manufactures locally in Tampa, we carry replacement parts for all our models and can typically schedule service within a few days. Call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) for warranty service or maintenance questions.
Maintenance Schedule Summary
| Frequency | Task |
|---|---|
| After every rain | Extend to dry before retracting |
| Monthly | Visual inspection, brush debris, test extend/retract |
| Every 3–6 months | Deep clean fabric (soap + water method above) |
| Annually | Lubricate arms, check sensors, inspect electrical |
| Before hurricane season | Test all sensors, verify retraction mechanism, check lock |