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	Awning Products http://www.durasol.com
	Patio Rooms, Sunrooms http://www.betterlivingsunrooms.com/
	Awning and Shade Motors http://www.somfy.com/nam/index.cfm
	Awning Fabric http://www.sunbrella.com/na/en/awning.pl

Commercial Awning Care & Cleaning Tips

The life and look of your awnings depends a great deal on the way you use them, and how often you care for them. Your awning is made of the highest quality materials available.

Even the most durable materials require a certain amount of care, and fabric awnings are no exception. However, with only the minimum amount of attention, your awning will remain bright and serviceable for a long period of time. Following these suggestions and tips can preserve the life and beauty of an awning.

• DO keep your awning clean. This is the best protection against mildew. Even on mildew-resistant fabric, mildew can grow on accumulated dirt or foreign materials, which will remain on the top and bottom surface and eventually stain the fabric.
• DO wash your awning; brush lightly with cloth or soft brush. Use a solution of lukewarm water and non-detergent soap, like Ivory or Dreft.
• DO hose your awning down occasionally, every month or so with a garden hose. We recommend doing this on a hot sunny day.
• DO keep the underside of your awning free from spiders, cobwebs, and bird nests. Simply brush with a household broom. Hose down and brush as needed. Mildew will not grow on a clean awning.
• DO keep shrubbery and vines away from the awning, as many bushes contain an acid, which can be harmful to your awnings.
• DO NOT wait until your awning is too dirty.
• DO NOT allow water to stand on the awning causing pocketing and possible stretching.
• DO NOT overlook small rips or tears. In most cases small rips and tears can be handled on site with a repair tape manufactured for the different types of fabric.
• DO NOT wash your awning with a detergent or strong solution or scrub with an abrasive cleaner.
• DO NOT permit leaves or twigs to stain the fabric.

Cleaning Resources

For a recommendation on a professional awning cleaner, call Otter Creek Awnings at 802-864-3009 or 1-888-284-4680.

For professional cleaning products, call or stop by Otter Creek Awnings.

Residential Awning Care & Cleaning Tips

One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella® fabrics looking good and to delay the need for deep vigorous cleanings is to hose fabrics off on a monthly basis with clear water. This practice will help prevent dirt from becoming deeply embedded in the fabric and eliminate the need for more frequent vigorous cleanings. In most environments, a thorough cleaning will be needed every two to three years.

When it's time for a thorough cleaning, Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned while still on an awning frame, or size permitting, they can be removed for cleaning in a washing machine.

When cleaning Sunbrella fabrics, it is important to observe the following:

• Always use a mild soap such as Ivory Snow, Dreft, or Woolite
• Water should be cold to lukewarm. Never more than 100° F.
• Air dry only. Never apply heat to Sunbrella fabrics.

General or Light Cleaning

To clean Sunbrella while still on an awning frame, follow these simple steps:

• Brush off loose dirt.
• Hose down.
• Prepare a cleaning solution of water and mild soap such as Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite (no detergents).
• Use a soft bristle brush to clean.
• Allow cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
• Rinse thoroughly.
• Air dry.
• May not require retreatment depending on the age of the fabric.

If stubborn stains persist, you can use a dilute chlorine bleach/soap mixture for spot cleaning of mildew, roof run-off or other similar stains.