How To Care For Your Outdoor Blinds

Outdoor blinds and awnings will experience some wear and tear as the years go by, it's simply unavoidable. But with the right care and cleaning tips, you can ensure your outdoor blinds remain functional and fashionable for many years to come.

Caring for outdoor blinds and awnings

Retractable blinds and awnings

If you have any retractable products installed around your home or building, we recommend folding them up when not in use. This is particularly relevant during windy or stormy weather. These products are designed to provide shade during calm conditions, and as such, can’t withstand extreme weather conditions.

Windmaster and Alpha M blinds

Out of all of the outdoor blinds that we offer, we would strongly recommend Windmaster blinds or Alpha M blinds. These blinds have been specially built for windy conditions, with features that help to minimise fabric movement and reduce noise. But while these blinds are great for withstanding windier conditions, be mindful that they still need to be rolled up during extreme weather.

PVC café and patio blinds

Given their close proximity to people’s hands and faces (compared to other blinds and awnings) outdoor blinds can often get dirtier much quicker. When it’s time to clean these blinds, always avoid using anything abrasive to wipe the surface. This will prevent unsightly scratches appearing on the plastic.

Another great tip is to always ensure that your blinds are free of creases during the rolling up process. The easiest way to do this is by operating your blinds while they are warm. These blinds will expand and contract if exposed to warmth and can become stiff if exposed to cooler temperatures. On cooler days, simply operate your outdoor blinds with extra care to avoid any damage.

Aftercare tips for outdoor blinds and awnings

If your outdoor blinds or awnings feature powder coated metal components, these should be cleaned at least twice a year (or more frequently if you live by the coast) with mild soapy water. The reason for this is because build-up of dirt and salt on these surfaces reduces the life of the powder coating. If you live near the ocean, make sure to check out our guide on the best blinds and window awnings for coastal areas.

Lubricate: Any moving components should be lubricated with a light oil once a year to ensure operation is smooth. Be careful not to get any oil on the fabric of the outdoor blinds or awnings, as this can stain!

Leave to dry: After a storm or heavy rains, allow the fabric to dry in the sun as soon as possible to prevent mould or mildew from forming. Your blinds or awnings should never be left rolled up or retracted while wet.

Wash when required: To remove dirt, dust or cobwebs from your blinds or awnings, first try dry brushing the fabric with a soft brush. Alternatively, a spray with cold water from the garden hose may do the trick.

If you have stains that won’t budge, don’t apply regular soaps, detergents, solvents or other liquid cleansers directly to the fabric. To avoid damage and discolouration, mix one-part soap to ten-parts water and wipe very gently with a soft cloth. Hard scrubbing may otherwise damage the surface of the material.

Want more tips on cleaning outdoor blinds and awnings? You can find out more about caring for outdoor shutters here, or click to learn how to clean Zipscreen blinds. You can also give us a call on 13 13 15, visit one of our Perth showrooms or arrange a free measure and quote with a highly-trained consultant in your own home.

All of our blinds, curtains and awnings are made in Australia and are sold for the lowest prices in the market, guaranteed. Just bring in a quote on any competitor’s comparable item and we’ll beat it by 5%!