Awning Care and Maintenance

HomePlus awnings will give you and your family many years of shelter in your outdoor area, provided simple care and maintenance instructions are followed.

MAINTENANCE:
Regular maintenance inspections will help to identify and fix any issues before they could become serious. A six monthly visual inspection is recommended for your awning, particularly before and after summer, for any damage. Any tears or rips need to be fixed as soon as they occur,as ongoing use can quickly increase the tear size. Maintenance of the fabric is needed to achieve a longer life expectancy and a better look.

The awning fabric and the structure are not designed to support water pooling on the fabric or excessive windy conditions. Ensure the awning is retracted during heavy rain or wind periods; any damage caused by these conditions are not covered by the warranty.
For awnings operated by a crank handle, ensure the handle is stored inside when not in use, do not leave outside attached to the awning.

CLEANING:
1 - Brush off any loose dirt (which can lead to the formation of mildew).
2 - Clean your awning fabric with a mild neutral detergent and a soft cloth, or if necessary use a soft bristle brush.
3 - For localised stains clean with a neutral detergent mixed with lukewarm water (maximum 380C).
4 - Rinse with water.
If material is regularly exposed to damp conditions, extra cleaning is recommended.

DO leave the fabric to dry completely before it is rolled up. If the awning has to be rolled up when the fabric is still wet, this can be air dried but never hot dried.
DO NOT use solvents or harsh detergents. 

POWDER COATED / ANODISED ALUMINIUM - CARE & MAINTENANCE

To comply with warranty requirements and to extend the effective life of anodised/powder coated finishes, very simple maintenance and regular visual inspections should be scheduled and undertaken.

MAINTENANCE:
In general, anodised or powder coated aluminium in urban areas should be cleaned every three months and every six months in rural areas. In industrial and marine environments (within 1km of the sea), monthly cold water washing as well as six monthly washes, with warm water & detergent, is necessary.

NOTE: It is universally recognised some sunscreens adversely affect powder-coated finishes and this should be avoided near the product in question.

CLEANING:
1 - Carefully remove any loose surface deposits with a wet sponge by gently rubbing.
2 - Clean by gently rubbing the surface with a soft brush (non-abrasive) and a dilute solution of a mild detergent, e.g., pH-neutral liquid hand or dishwashing detergent in warm water to remove dust, salt, and other deposits. For stubborn stains use only recommended solvents on the affected area, e.g., Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or methylated spirits and rinse off with clean water. Do not use other aggressive solvents.
3 - Anodised finishes with greasy deposits or hard to remove grime, should be cleaned with a soft cloth dipped in white spirit, turpentine or kerosene then wiped with a dry rag.
4 - Rinse the surfaces with clean fresh water after cleaning to remove all residues. A quick wipe-over with an absorbent cloth or chamois will prevent water marks from forming

DO remove obvious deposits as they occur.
DO NOT use abrasive steel wool, scrapers, scouring liquids or powders to remove paint splashes - these will damage your anodised/powder coating.
DO NOT use aggressive solvents, thinners, petrol etc, on powder coating as these solvents will attack gloss levels and reduce its life expectancy.
DO NOT let any solvents used on anodised finishes come in contact with any rubber components as they can degrade them.
DO NOT expose your anodised/powder coatings to excessive heat, heaters or hot air guns - these may damage the coating.

DO NOT allow sunscreens to come into contact with powder coated services