How to Properly Maintain Your Canopies and Awnings

The new awning or canopy you had installed a few months ago may have infused life into your storefront or added convenience to your hotel or resort's visitors, but don't let those awnings and canopies go without proper maintenance. Don't you want your awning or canopy to continue to be inviting for customers and passersby? Would you do business with an outlet that has a dust-laden awning or an unkempt canopy? Chances are, you'd probably not give these businesses a second look. So how do you keep your awning or canopy in the best shape? Discussed below are some simple maintenance tips for your awnings and canopies.

Custom canopies and awnings can be a huge boon to the value of your business. A canopy can add a classy look and weather protection for a walkway or outdoor dining area, while an awning can serve as a decorative piece for a building's facade and function as an important form of signage to attract potential customers. For all of these reasons and more, it is extremely important that your canopies and awnings are properly maintained. Below is a list of exactly how to accomplish a continued appeal:

Maintenance Tips for Canopies and Awnings:

• Clean your canopies and awnings periodically and as needed, which will protect against mold and mildew, while keeping the fabric from being stained or damaged. For larger canopies and awnings, use high-tech equipment such as a pressure cleaner to keep the canvas spotless. This may require calling upon a professional cleaning team.

• Stay away from any cleaning chemicals that contain bleach or agricultural components such as sulfur or halogens like chlorine, as these may harm the fabric and the UV protection.

• Use soap or canopy/awning cleaning solutions to wash down your canopies and awnings regularly. Get in the habit of brushing the awning with a cloth or soft brush and rinse it thoroughly.

• Hose down your canopies and awnings with clean water at least once per month, preferably on a warm day.

• Make sure you brush the underside of your canopy or awning, using something as simple as a household broom.

• Avoid having shrubbery, branches, and vines near your canopy or awning, as the acids they contain could cause discoloration or extra wear.

• Check the condition of your awnings' frames and do not allow rust to form, as it could cause deterioration and/or fabric stains.

• Don't allow insect spray on the fabric, as these solutions may cause staining.

• Avoid allowing water to stand on your awnings, because doing so could cause pocketing and stretching.

• Take care of small rips and tears quickly. Even the smallest tears can lead to much larger (and unrepairable) problems if they are not attended to in a timely manner.