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How to clean awnings

Author Lisa CooperHead of Product at Hunter DouglasWritten 01/08/2026
Contemporary patio awning extended over an outdoor dining set beside a brick house, creating shade across the seating area.

With the right care and maintenance, you can keep your awning looking as good as the day it was installed. This guide covers simple methods for regular awning cleaning.

Here, you’ll learn how to clean your awning structure, fabric and the best cleaning solution to use.

Watch our step-by-step guide

This easy-to-follow guide gives you plenty of cleaning tips and techniques to keep your awning looking great for longer.

Before you begin cleaning your awning, we recommend checking your local weather forecast to ensure dry conditions. Avoid cleaning your awning in wet or windy weather as this could damage it.

Person wiping down the cassette of a grey patio awning mounted on a brick house during routine outdoor maintenance.

1. Clean your awning casing

It's a good idea to clean the outer casing while the awning remains fully closed. Using a soft cloth and warm soapy water, gently wipe down the cassette, front profile and any visible external surfaces to remove dirt, dust and debris.

Grey patio awning extended over glazed doors and a paved terrace, providing shade beside a brick house and garden planting.

2. Prepare your awning

Extend your awning fully, ensuring the fabric is nice and taut and the arms are locked into place. Remove any furniture or garden accessories from underneath the awning as these could get wet during the cleaning process.

Person brushing debris from an extended grey patio awning attached to a brick house during outdoor cleaning and maintenance.

3. Remove loose dirt and debris

When you are ready to start cleaning the fabric, remove as much loose dirt and debris as possible to prevent scratches or tears. We recommend using a soft bristled brush for this job.

Person wiping the frame of a modern pergola with a cloth, cleaning the underside of the roof beside leafy garden planting.

4. Clean the awning structure

The cassette and brackets for your awning should only require the occasional wipe-over with a cloth and warm, soapy water.

TOP TIP: A good way to maintain the outer appearance of the awning casing and any brackets is to apply a neutral colour car polish, recommended twice yearly.

Person using a sponge to clean the underside of an awning while standing on a stepladder in a leafy garden.

5. Cleaning awning fabric

Use a sponge with clean, warm water to thoroughly clean the awning fabric, taking care not to scrub too hard or apply too much pressure.

Person spraying cleaning solution onto the frame of a modern pergola, surrounded by leafy garden planting.

6. For tougher stains and marks

For tougher stains, bird droppings or tree sap, use a specialist fabric cleaner making sure to follow the manufacturers guidelines.

As always, test your cleaning solution on a small, hidden area first to ensure it won’t mark the fabric.

Person rinsing the frame of a modern pergola with a garden hose, surrounded by leafy planting beside a brick house.

7. Rinse and leave to dry

Once you have fully cleaned your awning, use a damp cloth or very lightly rinse the cassette and awning arms with clean water to remove any remaining soap or cleaning residue. Avoid saturating the fabric.

Leave the awning fully extended until all components are completely dry. If the awning is retracted while damp, it should be reopened and dried within two days to help prevent mould and damage.

With just a little care now and then, your awning will stay looking its best, ready for you to enjoy your outdoor space.

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