Awning Cleaning: Five Pro Tips for Protecting Your Investment

Winter has ended, and now spring is in full swing and it’s likely your awnings do not look their best right now. Commercial power washing in Minneapolis, MN can help with other projects, but the use of excessive pressure can destroy awnings. Many power washers available to consumers do not have the same adjustments as the power washers and equipment used by professionals. If you wish to do this on your own, it is good to know how to remove dirt without ripping apart your investment. Here are five pro tips on cleaning awnings:

• Know pressure washer limitations: Sure, people may do it on YouTube, but it does not mean a pressure washer is the best way to clean awnings. Most available pressure washers only dispense water at one pressure regardless of what you are cleaning. It leaves it up to the operator to know the “feel” and use it correctly. If you are not power washing something every day, it is impossible to know when you are spraying too much pressure on your owning. At worst, the pressure will destroy your investment, and at best, you will have inconsistent results.
• Be safe with ladders: Another issue with pressure washers is that you usually need to stand on a ladder to reach the awnings. The angle required to operate a pressure washer is often inconsistent with making contact with the awning. This causes spray that makes it impossible to clean. Also, there is a good chance that the power of the pressure washer will push you off the ladder and lead to injury. Since the results will not be consistent anyway, that risk is likely too much.
• Learn soft cleaning: If you are making awning cleaning a DIY project, use soft-clean techniques. Use only manufacturer-approved products and a soft bristle brush. Scrub where you see dirt and algae. For deep stains, you will likely have to scrub both sides of the awning. Rinse with your garden hose at low pressure.
• Check again when dry: When awnings are wet, they look clean and nearly perfect, but once they are dry, you will see missed spots. This is another reason pressure washing is a bad idea—once dry, you see lines where the pressure washing was applied unevenly. However, hand scrubbing results in fewer missed spots and no unsightly lines. Once dry, you can scrub any missed spots again and go for a better look.
• Do not forget the protective coat: Once you are done cleaning, adding a protective coat to the awning will prevent fading and return it to a like-new appearance. Many products come with a sprayer so you can gently apply it with a garden hose and a little bit of patience. At the end, you will have awnings that are ready to serve you this summer and beyond.

Once you have clean awnings, you likely want the rest of your exterior cleaned as well. That is where commercial power washing in Minneapolis, MN comes in! Diamond Roofing, Remodeling & Roof Shampoo offers exterior cleaning for decks, siding, stucco, concrete and solar panels. We also offer low-pressure exterior cleaning for more sensitive spots like windows and awnings. Call us today to set up an appointment.