Outdoor shades in the Draper At Home collection are built to last for many years. But regular cleaning and maintenance will help you get the most out of your outdoor shades.
Hardware Cleaning:
Draper At Home outdoor shade hardware consists of powder coated aluminum extrusions. Dust, sand, dirt, and other debris can collect on the hardware or in grooves of the hardware. This buildup can damage the finish and affect the operation of the unit.
- Hardware should be washed with pH neutral water using a garden hose. A pressure washer should not be used: high pressure can damage the unit.
- If there is heavy buildup on the hardware, use a mild detergent, such as dish soap, with a soft sponge. Do not use abrasive pads on the hardware.
- To remove debris, sand, and grit from side channels, we recommend using a low-pressure air gun to blow out the debris. You can also use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment.
Hardware should be cleaned annually except in sandy areas. In sandy locations, side channels should be cleaned every 3 months with air or a vacuum, as noted above. If the product is within 10 miles of salt water, the hardware should also be washed monthly to prevent salt build-up.
Fabric Cleaning:
FlexShade fabric is PVC-coated fiberglass or polyester. Clean using a soft brush or PH neutral water from a hose.
- If there is a sprayer on the hose, use a low setting.
- DO NOT use a pressure washer: this may damage the fabric.
- For tougher grime and dirt, use a mild detergent, such as dish soap, with a soft sponge.
Systems left extended near lights (security, flood lights, etc.) may attract bugs which become caught up in the fabric roll. Although products have built-in brushes to prevent this, we still recommend brushing off bug debris monthly.
Mesh fabric material may have debris caught in the weave which a brush will not remove. A low-pressure air nozzle can be used to blow out the debris.
Bookmark this post to keep it handy, or you can download a free PDF copy from any Draper@Home outdoor shade product page under the “Technical Documents” tab (here, for instance).
