How to Maintain Your External Blind or Awning — A Complete Care Guide

External blinds and awnings work hard. They're out in the sun, rain, salt air, and wind every day of the year. A little regular attention keeps them performing at their best — and can extend the life of a product by years. Here's what to do, and when to do it.

Your Seasonal Maintenance Schedule

Most maintenance tasks take less than 30 minutes. The key is to do them regularly rather than waiting for a problem to develop.

Cleaning Different Fabric Types

The cleaning method depends on your fabric type. Using the wrong product can damage coatings or cause colour fading.

PVC (Clear and Tinted)

PVC is durable but can scratch, yellow, or cloud if cleaned incorrectly.

• Rinse with fresh water to remove dust and loose debris
• Wash with a mild soap solution (dishwashing liquid diluted in water) using a soft cloth or sponge — never a scourer or stiff brush
• Rinse thoroughly with fresh water and allow to dry fully before rolling
• For yellowing or cloudiness: use a purpose-made PVC clear vinyl restorer (available at marine supply stores). Apply a UV protectant after cleaning.

Mesh and Shade Cloth

Mesh fabrics are the most forgiving to clean.

• Hose off with a garden hose — mesh is designed to let water through
• For stubborn dirt: mix warm water with mild detergent, scrub gently with a soft brush
• For mould or mildew: dilute white vinegar (1:4 with water) and apply to affected area, leave for 10 minutes, then scrub and rinse. For heavy mould, a diluted bleach solution (1:10) can be used but test on an inconspicuous area first.
• Allow to dry fully in an open/extended position before rolling up — rolling damp mesh traps moisture and encourages mould growth

Acrylic and Solution-Dyed Acrylic Canvas

High-quality acrylic fabrics (used on folding arm and pivot arm awnings) are naturally mould-resistant and UV-stable, but they still benefit from regular cleaning.

• Brush off loose dust and debris with a soft brush before wetting
• Rinse with a garden hose
• For stains: use a specialised awning fabric cleaner (Sunbrella Cleaning Solution or similar). Avoid household detergents — they can strip the fabric's water-resistant finish.
• Scrub gently with a soft brush, working in small sections
• Rinse thoroughly — soap residue attracts dirt
• Allow to air dry completely (ideally in the sun) before retracting

Caring for Tracks, Channels and Guides

For Ziptrak® blinds and side-retention systems, the tracks and guide channels are just as important as the fabric. Debris, salt, and oxidation in the tracks cause the blind to bind, stick, or run unevenly.

• Clean tracks regularly: Wipe out the inside of aluminium tracks with a damp cloth to remove dust, cobwebs, dead insects and sand. Do this at least twice a year — more often in coastal or bushfire-prone areas.
• Lubricate the tracks: Apply a dry silicone spray (not an oil-based lubricant, which attracts dirt) to the inside of the tracks once or twice a year. Run the blind up and down a few times to work it in.
• Check the zip edge: The fabric edge that runs in the Ziptrak track can wear over time. If the blind is skipping or jumping in the track, inspect the zip edge for damage.

Maintaining Folding Arm and Pivot Arm Hardware

The arms and joints on folding arm and pivot arm awnings need periodic attention to keep them operating smoothly.

• Inspect arm joints: Check that all pivot points move freely and that locking pins are secure. Look for any cracks or deformation in the arms — these are signs of overloading or wind damage.
• Lubricate pivot points: Apply a light machine oil or dry silicone spray to all pivot joints at least once a year. Wipe away any excess.
• Check the tension spring: Folding arm awnings have a tension spring in each arm that controls how the awning extends. If the arms droop at the ends or don't hold their angle, the spring tension may need adjustment. Contact us for guidance — this is not a DIY adjustment.
• Check wall fixings: Once a year, inspect all fixing bolts and brackets. Tighten any that have worked loose. If bolts are rusting or fixings feel insecure, don't use the product until the issue is resolved.

Caring for Motorised Systems

Electric motors from Somfy and similar brands are robust and largely maintenance-free. A few things to keep in mind:

• Don't override the limits: Your motor's travel limits are set at installation. Never try to force the blind past its stops — this can burn out the motor or damage the mechanism.
• Check the remote/receiver battery: If the motor stops responding, check the remote battery first. Most Somfy remotes use standard CR2032 lithium cells.
• Don't run the motor in extreme heat: Motors have a thermal protection cut-out that activates if they overheat. If the motor stops mid-cycle in summer, give it 20 minutes to cool before trying again.
• Wind sensors: If your system has a wind sensor, test it annually. Hold it in the wind stream of a fan to confirm it's triggering the retract command correctly.

When to Consider a Recover

Fabric has a finite life. In Australian conditions, most awning fabrics last 8–15 years depending on sun exposure, fabric quality, and how well they've been maintained. Signs it's time for a recover:

• Fading or bleaching that can't be cleaned away
• Small tears or fraying along edges that are spreading
• Persistent mould or staining that won't respond to cleaning
• Cracking or brittleness in PVC (particularly with age and UV exposure)

A recover uses your existing frame and hardware and replaces only the fabric. It's significantly less expensive than a full replacement — and it's exactly what Awnly's recover service is designed for.