Outdoor Blind Care & Maintenance

Make sure your outdoor blinds and awnings last as long as possible with these handy tips.

1. WIND AND BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS:

Should your area experience high winds or if high winds are predicted, your blinds should instantly be rolled up and awnings retracted. Leaving your blinds down during extreme weather can cause damage to both the blinds and potentially your home. Our warranty won’t cover damage of this nature.

Our exterior E-Zip, E-Shade, Drop Arm Awnings and Folding Arm awnings will generally withstand wind up to around 50km per hour. Notwithstanding this suggestion, it is the responsibility of the customer to retract the external blind or awning in windy conditions.

If you are planning on leaving the property for a long period of time, it is highly recommended that you retract or roll up all outdoor blinds and awnings before leaving.

2. WET PVC, ACRYLIC & SUNSCREEN FABRIC

Try to avoid rolling up your blinds if the fabric or PVC is wet. PVC, acrylic and some sunscreen fabrics can hold or absorb water, which in some cases can result in the clarity and the longevity of your blinds.

Water will generally not damage an exterior awning or exterior roller blind fabric however if you need to retract them when they are wet, they should be extended as soon as practical and allowed to dry.

3. WASHING YOUR OUTDOOR BLINDS AND AWNINGS

It is recommended to regularly wash down your outdoor blinds and awnings.

Don’t leave foreign matter such as dirt, bird droppings or tree sap in contact with the material of the shade blind for an extended period. Keep your blinds unsoiled by regularly cleaning both sides of the material using a soft cloth and water. Remove any particles on the shade blind material to avoid scratches when wiping with a cleaning cloth.

Wipe gently with a soft fabric cloth using diluted warm water mixed with a water-based cleaning detergent. A good rule for this is one-part detergent to ten parts water. Avoid hard scrubbing which may otherwise damage the surface of the material. Rinse completely with fresh water and wipe dry with a soft lint-free cloth or sponge. Allow to dry completely before rolling up.

It is also a good idea to occasionally hose your shade blinds with fresh cold water to remove dust and keep them looking clean and crisp.

Be careful with the detergent you choose for your shade blinds. Natural detergents work best. Avoid non-diluted detergents, cleaning fluids, soap, insecticides, garden sprays, petrochemicals and bore water. Never use a solvent based product to clean your blinds, even if the packaging says it is safe to use on PVC, Acrylic or Sunscreen Fabrics.

With a regular wash, you’re ensuring years of trouble-free protection from the sun and the weather.

4. GENERAL CARE

Remove cobwebs and any build up in the channels or guides by dusting lightly with a brush or broom & lubricate with a silicone spray at least twice per year. If you allow a build-up of dust and dirt in channels and guides, your blinds may not retract and extent as intended.

Lubricate metal clips and tie-downs moving parts with a silicone spray or WD40 at least per year.

Please be sure to check that outdoor furniture, pots, plants etc are not in the path of the outdoor blind when lowering.

By following the above instructions, you will be rewarded with many years of service from your blinds.

If you require any further advice, please do not hesitate to call Signature Blinds.