At the end of this page the awning will be clean, dry and ready to retract. The fabric will also be re-proofed where the cleaning stripped its finish. Each soak takes up to 15 to 20 minutes. Drying takes as long as the weather needs.

Before you start, find out what the fabric is. Acrylic, polyester and vinyl each tolerate different chemicals. If the label is gone, the outdoor fabric comparer sets out how the three differ.

What you need

  • Soft-bristle brush

    Never a hard-bristled brush. It abrades the fabric.

  • Garden hose

    Not a pressure washer.

  • Bucket and rubber gloves

    A 1 gallon (3.8 liter) bucket matches the mixing ratios below.

  • Mild soap

    Woolite or Dawn dishwashing liquid. Use laundry detergent for vinyl.

  • A mildew treatment for your fabric

    Bleach (acrylic only), hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar (polyester), or a non-chlorine powder cleaner (vinyl). See the table in the steps.

  • Water and stain repellent

    For example 303 Fabric Guard or Sunbrella Restore. Needed after any bleach treatment.

  • Silicone spray or lithium grease

    For the arm joints and hinges of a retractable awning.

The steps

  1. Extend the awning fully on a dry, warm day. A warm day speeds drying, according to The Awning Company. The whole fabric surface should be reachable.
  2. Brush off loose debris from top to bottom. Use the soft brush on dry fabric. No leaves, twigs or dust should remain.
  3. Rinse the fabric with the garden hose. The fabric should be evenly wet.
  4. Mix the solution for your fabric. Use the table below. 1 cup is about 240 ml. 1/4 cup is about 60 ml. 1 gallon is about 3.8 liters.
  5. Apply the solution with the soft brush. Cover the full panel from seam to seam. Cleaning only one spot leaves water rings, per Sunbrella.
  6. Let it soak. Sunbrella gives up to 15 minutes for its bleach mix. Van Nuys Awning gives 15 to 20 minutes. The stain should look loosened.
  7. Scrub gently in circular motions. Do not scrub hard. The surface dirt should lift.
  8. Rinse until the water runs clear. No suds should remain in the seams.
  9. Leave the awning extended to air dry. Do not use heat. Check the folds and seams, because fabric can feel dry on the surface and still hold moisture inside (Cambridge Awnings).
  10. Apply water repellent to the dry fabric. This step is required after bleach, Sunbrella says. Work in a well-ventilated area and follow the product label. Water should bead on the fabric afterward.
  11. Lubricate the arm joints and hinges. Use silicone spray or lithium grease once a year. The arms should retract smoothly and evenly on both sides.
  12. Check the brackets and hardware. Look for loose mounts, rust and wear. Repair any of these before the next storm or winter.
  13. Retract the awning only when it is completely dry to the touch. A damp roll grows mildew. Carefree of Colorado calls it "a surefire way to invite mildew, mold, and musty smells."
Fabric Routine clean Stubborn stains or mildew Do not use
Solution-dyed acrylic (Sunbrella) Mild soap and water, or Sunbrella Clean 1 cup bleach + 1/4 cup mild soap per 1 gallon water; soak up to 15 minutes; repeat if needed Pressure washer, hard brush, machine wash, dry cleaning; bleach scrubbed on the coated underside of Sunbrella Plus
Polyester Mild soap and water Hydrogen peroxide with warm water, or white vinegar diluted with cold water (source gives no ratio) Undiluted bleach, pressure washer
Vinyl / PVC Laundry detergent and water IOSSO Mold and Mildew Stain Remover (non-chlorine powder), or baking soda scrubbed with a soft brush Pressure washer

Sources: Sunbrella shade fabric care and Trivantage. For a general soap mix, Rollac and Van Nuys Awning both give 1/4 cup dish soap per 1 gallon of water.

Bird droppings, tree sap and rust stains are washed with mild soap and water. Treat oil spills first. Cover the spill with cornstarch, wait about 10 minutes, then scrape it off before cleaning.

If your awning maker does not approve bleach, do not use it. Carefree of Colorado gives 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water as an alternative, soaked for at least 15 minutes.

If it did not work

Repeat the treatment. Sunbrella says the bleach mix can be repeated if stains persist. Mildew grows on dirt and pollen, not on the acrylic fiber, so hosing the fabric monthly prevents it from returning. Mildew damage is not covered by the [Sunbrella warranty](https://www.sunbrella.com/warranty).

Bleach strips the factory finish. Reapply a water and stain repellent to the fully dry fabric.

It was rolled up while damp. Extend it again, let it air dry completely, and check the folds and seams before you retract it.

The awning is now clean, protected and ready to retract. Sources differ on how often to repeat the full clean. Sunbrella gives a monthly rinse with a deep clean every 2 to 3 years. Create Your Shade gives two cleans a year, one at the start of the season and one before winter storage, with more if tree debris or pollen is heavy.