Otter Creek Awnings

802.864.3009

Awning Care & Cleaning

In Vermont, spring and fall weather bring seasonal chores! Here at Otter Creek Awnings, it means a fond farewell to another season and the opportunity to connect with our customers who call to inquire about the care of their awning.

Awnings do not require a lot of maintenance; they are more or less a worry-free product and Otter Creek Awnings are the best of the best. Yet even the most durable materials can benefit from a little care and attention, enhancing appearance and extending the lifetime of the product:

CLEANING

The first of spring and fall are the best times to clean an awning.  Here are some great tips to keep your awning looking like new:

  • Don’t wait until awning is too dirty to clean. Even on mildew-resistant fabric, mildew can grow on accumulated dirt or foreign materials, which will eventually stain the fabric.
  • Wash the awning by brushing lightly with a cloth or soft brush.  Adding a lot of pressure will weaken the fabric.
  • Use a solution of lukewarm water (at least a gallon) and non-detergent soap like Ivory or Dreft, found in the supermarket. IF your awning is made from Sunbrella fabric like Otter Creek’s Awnings, you can add 1 cup of bleach to the solution to kill mildew.  Sunbrella is a color-fast fabric and can handle 100% bleach (don’t worry, we’ve tested this ourselves).  For stubborn stains you can use Tilex or Oxi Clean.
  • Do not overlook small rips or tears. Usually they can be handled on site with a repair tape manufactured specifically for different types of fabric.  We have some available for purchase in our showroom.
  • Wipe down the frame and hood with a sponge and some Simple Green or a similar solution (a rough sponge or detergent may scratch the surface).

Additional tips to help preserve the life of your awning:

  • Hose awning down occasionally with a garden hose on a hot summer day (be sure it is dry again before you retract it).  Do NOT use a power washer as it will stretch the fabric creating pockets.
  • Keep the underside of awning free from spiders, cobwebs, and bird nests. Simply brush them away with a household broom.
  • Keep shrubbery and vines away from awnings since many bushes contain an acid that can be harmful to the fabric.
  • Do not allow water to stand on the awning as it could cause the fabric to stretch.

Sunbrella has a video to give you easy, visual instructions on cleaning. SUNBRELLA AWNING CLEANING

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW TO REMOVE A VALANCE

If you have other questions or if you would like information about professional awning cleaning, give Otter Creek Awnings a call at 802-864-3009 or 888-284-4680.