Cleaning an awning
gently, by fabric and stain
An awning gives shade for your patio, balcony and garden. It is not a storm shelter or a rain roof. Over the season the fabric collects dust, pollen, bird droppings and, in time, algae. How you clean the awning fabric depends on the fibre: acrylic, polyester and polypropylene do not tolerate the same products. Here you can read the basic clean step by step, when the washing machine is allowed and which stains come out with what.
If you want to clean your awning, lukewarm water, washing-up liquid and a soft brush are usually enough. The fabric decides whether bleach or the washing machine is allowed. You can find all other awning topics in the awning guide.
- Remove dry dirt with a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery nozzle.
- Apply 1 part washing-up liquid to 20 parts lukewarm water, 30°C at most, with a soft cloth or sponge in circular movements.
- Rinse thoroughly with clear water and leave to air-dry in a shady, well-ventilated place.
- Heavily soiled acrylic panels may go into the washing machine on a gentle cycle at 30°C. Polysun by hand only. Every wash gradually washes out the protective finish.
- No pressure washer, no solvents, no tumble dryer and no water above 30°C.
- Bleach solution 1:20 only on Agora and Sunbrella. Dralon, Olefin and Polysun do not tolerate bleach.
Which fabric is on your awning?
Colour and fibre decide which products are allowed. We make the made-to-measure rope tension awning in four fabrics: Dralon, Agora, Polysun and Olefin. For the folding awning and any other awning too, care depends on the fabric. Our outdoor fabrics are also available as fabric by the metre.
| Fabric | Fibre | Washing | Bleach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agora, from Spain | Solution-dyed acrylic | By hand with lukewarm water and neutral soap, heavy soiling on a gentle cycle at 30°C | Diluted 1:20 allowed, for mildew and stubborn stains |
| Dralon (Acrisol Liso), from Spain | Conventionally dyed acrylic | By hand, heavy soiling on a gentle cycle at 30°C, no fabric softener, low spin speed | No bleach, not even diluted |
| Olefin | Polypropylene | Machine on a gentle programme at 30°C, only when needed | Do not bleach |
| Polysun | Polyester | Hand wash only, 30°C at most | Do not bleach |
Cleaning an awning step by step
Protect the surroundings
Cover furniture, plants and the ground under the awning with sheeting or a tarpaulin. That way rinse water and loosened dirt do not end up on cushions and flower beds.
Make the fabric accessible
Take the panels down or make the fabric easy to reach. For a fixed awning, extend it fully. If you are cleaning the awning on a balcony or need to reach the fabric from above, work from a safe ladder.
Brush off dry dirt
Remove dry dirt with a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery nozzle, before water presses it into the weave.
Apply the washing-up liquid solution
Mix 1 part washing-up liquid with 20 parts lukewarm water, 30°C at most. Apply the solution with a soft cloth, sponge or soft brush in circular movements.
Rinse with clear water
Rinse thoroughly with clear water, from top to bottom. Watch the seams and folds: soap residue in the weave attracts new dirt.
Dry in the shade
Leave the fabric to air-dry in the shade. Do not retract the awning or push the panels together until the fabric is completely dry, otherwise mildew forms in the folds.
Cleaning awning fabric: by hand or in the washing machine?
When cleaning awning fabric, the rule is: as often as necessary, as gently as possible. The washing machine suits only certain fabrics and only for heavy soiling.
Light soiling by hand
Remove light dirt with a warm cloth and a little washing-up liquid. That is enough for care during the season.
Cleaning a heavily soiled awning
Acrylic panels, meaning Dralon and Agora, may go into the washing machine on a gentle cycle at 30°C when heavily soiled. With Dralon, use no fabric softener and a low spin speed.
Olefin on a gentle programme
Olefin may go into the machine on a gentle programme at 30°C. According to the manufacturer, frequent washing can affect the properties of the fabric, so wash only when needed.
Polysun by hand only
Polysun does not belong in the machine. Hand washing up to 30°C is allowed, ironing and bleaching are not.
Every wash counts
Every wash gradually washes out the protective finish. The fabric then gets dirty faster. It is better to brush often than to wash often.
No tumble dryer
None of our four awning fabrics belongs in the tumble dryer, and you should also avoid dry cleaning. How the panels of the rope tension awning sit in sliders and stoppers is shown in the rope tension awning installation guide.
Removing stains by type
The table applies to solution-dyed acrylic such as Agora. For Dralon, Olefin and Polysun, stick to the washing-up liquid solution and leave out bleach and acetone. Treat stains as soon as possible. For more on mildew and bird droppings, see removing mildew spots from an awning, and for algae and moss, see removing algae from an awning.
| Stain | Product | How to proceed |
|---|---|---|
| Bird droppings, sun cream, resin, berries, wine | Washing-up liquid solution 1:20, bleach solution 1:20 if needed | Apply, leave to work briefly, rinse thoroughly with clear water |
| Mildew spots, mould, algae | Bleach solution 1:20 | Soak the spot in the solution, wash again with washing-up liquid solution 1:20, rinse clear |
| Oil, grease, coffee, tea, milk, chocolate | Washing-up liquid solution 1:20 | Loosen with a soft cloth in circular movements, rinse clear |
| Car grease | Acetone, on the spot only | Dab with a soft cloth, then wash again with washing-up liquid solution |
| Rust | Lemon juice and salt | Soak the stain in lemon juice, cover with salt, leave for 24 hours, rinse, repeat if needed |
| Candle wax | Kitchen paper and iron | Let the wax harden and peel it off, iron out the rest under kitchen paper on low heat, wash again |
Cleaning an awning with home remedies
You do not need a special awning cleaner. You can clean your awning with home remedies that you usually already have in the house. Test every product first on an inconspicuous spot.
Washing-up liquid 1:20
1 part washing-up liquid to 20 parts lukewarm water. This is the basic solution for every fabric and for almost every stain.
Soft brush and vacuum cleaner
Dry dirt comes off with the brush or the upholstery nozzle. Leave out abrasive products.
Lemon juice and salt
Against rust on acrylic: lemon juice on the stain, salt over it, leave for 24 hours, then rinse.
Bleach only on Agora
1 part bleach to 20 parts water does not attack the solution-dyed acrylic fibre of Agora. No bleach on Dralon, Olefin and Polysun.
Hydrogen peroxide on Dralon
For very stubborn mildew on Dralon, you can try diluted 3 % hydrogen peroxide. Test it first on an inconspicuous spot.
Vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder?
The fabric manufacturers' care instructions do not mention these products. We therefore do not recommend them, even though they often circulate as a tip.
The hard water jet damages the water-repellent finish of the fabric. A steam cleaner is also out, because none of our awning fabrics tolerates more than 30°C.
Hot water can impair the waterproofing. Lukewarm is enough for every clean.
No dry cleaning, no petrol, no solvents and no abrasive cleaners. The only exception is acetone on the spot for car grease on acrylic.
Damp fabric in direct sun easily gets water marks. Dry in the shade and in the open air.
Care through the season and reproofing
A thorough clean of the awning is due twice a year: in spring before it is first extended and in autumn before the winter break. In between, you treat stains straight away. For ongoing cleaning of the awning fabric, a soft brush is usually enough.
In spring
Brush or vacuum the fabric thoroughly once. Treat mildew spots from storage as described above.
In autumn
Clean panels you have taken down before storing them, and rather leave them to dry a day longer. Store them dry and well ventilated, not directly on bare concrete.
Fabric bundle under the roof
When retracted, the fabric of the rope tension awning pushes together into a bundle. You park the bundle under the roof, it must not be left out in the weather. In storms and bad weather, retract every awning.
Clean and reproof the awning?
The fabric comes with its water-repellent finish from the factory, and every wash weakens it. On Olefin and Polysun, do not apply a reproofing spray yourself, as it can react with the factory finish. More on this under reproofing an awning.
Patching awning fabric or a new panel?
Not every damage can be washed out. A tear or a hole in the fabric calls for repair or replacement.
Repairs on GERMES products
We carry out repairs on GERMES' own products. Send us a photo of the damage via the Service Centre.
Making a single panel again
The rope tension awning consists of individual fabric panels. If one panel is ruined, we make a new one, on request with the tube spacing of the existing panels.
New fabric for the awning
If the whole fabric is faded or brittle, new fabric is worthwhile. How that works is explained under re-covering an awning.
Is there an awning fabric test winner?
For care, the fibre counts for more than a test verdict. Our guarantee on colour fastness: Agora 5 years, Olefin and Polysun 2 years each, Dralon without a separate guarantee. Which fibre suits your awning is explained under awning fabric: acrylic or polyester.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Last reviewed: 23.10.2026 · Reviewer: Germes-Team
Not sure which fabric is on your awning?
Send us a photo of the fabric and the stain. We will tell you which product the fabric tolerates and what you had better leave alone.