An image of outdoor dining under brown awnings.
Keeping awnings and other outdoor shades clean and bright requires regular cleaning, even if your awnings are made with high-quality outdoor fabric from brands like Sunbrella® or Dickson®. Depending on how routine your cleaning practices are, the climate and conditions where your awnings are located, and the type of awning fabric involved, a thorough cleaning may be as easy as using a soft brush and mild soap. Sometimes more vigorous methods and tools may be required.
At Trivantage, we approach awning fabric cleaning in a holistic way, since clean fabric is more easily maintained and longer lasting. For a directory of brand-specific cleaning guides, visit our Care and Cleaning webpage.
When sewing heavy vinyl fabric, feeding it through a sewing machine can be difficult due to its weight and stickiness. To aid in sewing, use polyester batting underneath the fabric. It will make it easier to feed the vinyl through.
How do I clean acrylic awning fabric like Sunbrella® or Dickson®?
Begin by brushing off loose dirt, debris, cobwebs, or bird droppings using a soft-bristle brush. Mix a solution of mild dish soap and clean water; soak the fabric with this mixture while it’s still on the frame. Gently scrub using the soft-bristle brush, then rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap residue. Allow the fabric to air dry fully. For stubborn mildew or stains, use a solution of 1 cup bleach + 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of water: let it soak up to 15 minutes, scrub, rinse, then air dry. If fabric has a water-repellant coating (e.g. Sunbrella Plus), spray the cleaning solution rather than soak, rinse thoroughly, dry, and then reapply a professional protectant like 303 Fabric Guard.
What’s the best way to clean polyester or FIRESIST® awning fabric?
First, brush off any loose debris. Rinse the fabric with a garden hose. Create a mild cleaning solution with dishwashing liquid and lukewarm water. With a soft bristle brush or cloth, gently scrub, allowing the mixture to soak into the material. Rinse thoroughly until no soap remains and air dry. For tough stains like bird droppings, make a solution of about 1 Tbsp dish soap per 2 cups cold water and sponge or blot at the stain repeatedly, rinsing between applications, until the stain lifts.
How do I clean vinyl awning fabric safely?
Vinyl (PVC-coated or laminated) awnings require a neutral liquid detergent in water — adjust temperature and concentration based on how soiled the fabric is. Clean using soft cloths or soft-bristle brushes, rinse with plenty of clean water, and allow the fabric to air dry completely. Always avoid solvents like acetone, turpentine, and industrial degreasers. Use only color‑fast white cloths or soft brushes.
How can I remove mildew stains from different types of awning fabric?
Do's: Proper Care & Maintenance
Don'ts: What to Avoid
Click here to access a more detailed PDF version of the above, containing general instructions for cleaning select awning, marine, and industrial fabrics. Read on to learn about specific cleaning instructions for different types of awning fabrics. .
Awnings & outdoor shades made with Sunbrella, Dickson, or another acrylic shade fabric benefit from regular light cleaning. A more detailed version of the Sunbrella Awning Fabric cleaning instructions can be found here.
While the fabric is still on the awning frame, brush off any loose dirt or debris. Soak the fabric with a cleaning solution of mild soap like Dawn® dishwashing liquid and water, then clean with a soft bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning so all soap residue is removed. Allow the fabric to air dry.
Sunbrella awning fabric can be treated with a soapy cleaning solution, like that described above, mixed with diluted bleach. This mixture is especially helpful for cleaning mildew that has begun to grow on dirt or other detritus on the fabric. To make the bleach and soap cleaning solution for stubborn stains:
After mixing, allow the mixture to soak into the fabric for as long as 15 minutes. Once the fabric is saturated, clean it with a soft bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly, reapply mixture, & continue gentle scrubbing, if necessary. Allow to air dry.
Special care must be taken when cleaning fabrics that feature additional water repellant features, like Sunbrella Plus, Sunbrella Supreme (discontinued), and Sunbrella Clarity (discontinued):
Whether you’re working with residential or commercial awnings, polyester awnings & outdoor shade fabric, like FIRESIST®, benefit from regular cleaning treatments. Fabric that is flame-retardant or flame-resistant requires consistent maintenance to maintain integrity and performance.
First, brush off all loose dirt and debris. Next, hose the awning fabric down. Dilute a mild dishwashing liquid in clean, lukewarm water. With a soft bristle brush or soft cloth, clean the fabric with the cleaning solution. Allow the soapy mixture to soak fully into the fabric. Rinse with clean water until no more soap residue remains. Allow to air dry.
For stubborn stains, dried grime, or bird droppings, try the following:
Gently scrape off any hardened or stubborn material present on the fabric, removing large pieces while loosening the rest for removal. Make a cleaning solution of 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap to two cups of cold water. With a clean color-fast cloth, sponge at the stain with the cleaning solution. Blot at it until the fabric is saturated with liquid. Rinse. Continue to blot, saturate, and rinse until the stain disappears.
When cleaning PVC-coated or laminated vinyl material like performance marine fabric, use a neutral liquid detergent in a clean water solution. Adjust the solution — and the temperature of the water — to how difficult the cleaning project appears to be.
So there you have it: A treasure trove of advice that should make sewing upholstery and working with heavy fabric and canvas easier and more predictable. If you’d like more tips and tricks, check out the many tutorials and explainers in our Video Library today.
The purpose of this guide is to give fabricators some general guidelines and product information.
This guide should not be considered as the sole source of information on cleaning upholstery fabric. This guide is strictly informational.
Please reach out to your local customer care teamfor more guidance.
