Want to keep your sun shades in working order and looking as good as new? The secret lies in regular care of these dust magnets! Clean them once or twice a year to prevent grime, mildew, bird droppings, or dry rot from damaging the solar shade fabric. Cleaning your outdoor shade is a simple, straightforward process. Just remove dust, dirt, stains, and heavier grime from the slats or fabric weave of your shades. Here are some quicker, more cost-effective methods to try. Microfiber cloth and lukewarm, soapy water is a cost-effective way for general cleaning. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum with hose attachment. For tough stains, prepare a solution of one part white vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle and generously spray the affected areas of solar fabric. Use a ladder to carefully wash your sun shades they are installed on. A better way is to remove them and spread out flat on a smooth surface for washing. Why Clean Your Sun Shades? A sun shade is a parasol, an awning, or a protective window film that blocks harsh UV rays from entering your outdoor living space. A well-placed and well-maintained sun blind can make your time outdoors more comfortable and pleasant by providing shade on sunny days or blocking rain on wet days. Things to Consider Before You Start Cleaning Before you roll up your sleeves and start cleaning your sun shades, consider the following things: Type of Fabric Fabric selection Determine the type of fabric used to manufacture your shade. It will affect your choice of cleaning method. Exterior or outside shades are usually made from cotton, nylon, knitted mesh, and solid or woven shade cloth. Gather Cleaning Supplies: Gather supplies, like soft cloth, feather duster, water, soap, bottle, and towel. Cleaning Method 1: Spraying Things You’ll Need A spray bottle (1 qt.) Lukewarm, warm, or hot water (1 qt.) Liquid dish detergent (1 tsp.) Borax (1 tsp.) A garden hose with a spray nozzle A plastic bristle brush (optional) Step 1: Fill Bottle with Cleaning Ingredients: Fill bottle with cleaning ingredients Add water (lukewarm, warm, or hot), borax, and dish detergent in a one quart spray bottle. Step 2: Mix Solution: Swirl the bottle well and avoid creating suds. Step 3: Spray the Fabric: Spray the fabric Fully saturate the entire fabric material of the sun shade by generously spraying the cleaning (soap) solution over it. Step 4: Soak the Fabric: Soak the fabric Leave the fabric for 20 to 25 minutes to let the solution soak into it. Step 5 (Optional): Scrub with a Brush: If necessary, use a plastic bristle brush to scrub at the sun shade fabric to remove any stuck on debris. Step 6: Rinse with Water: Remove the soap from the sun shade fabric using a garden hose with a spray nozzle. If it is still mounted on your exterior wall, let the soap run off completely by spraying it down from the top to the bottom. If it is lying flat on the floor, just rinse it. Step 6: Dry the Sun Shade Fabric: Leave the shade in the sun for 3 to 4 hours to allow it to fully dry. Step 7: Reinstall the Shade: Reinstall, retract, or close your sun shade. Cleaning Method 2: Multiple Treatments Things You’ll Need Cleaning materials Feather duster Vacuum Mild Soap or detergent Warm water Towels Step 1: Remove Sun Shade: Take your sun shade from the exterior of your wall or other outdoor space. Step 2: Do Dusting: To make the cleaning process easier and more effective, first remove the top layer of dust or dirt on your outdoor shades. You can use a feather duster. Step 3: Do Vacuuming: If, after dusting a tougher layer of debris remains on any corner of the fabric, gently pass the soft brush attachment of your vacuum to for a better cleaning. Step 4: Do Washing: Take your garden hose with a lower pressure stream and wash away any remaining debris on the shades. Avoid using a pressure washer, as it will damage your exterior shade. Step 5: Apply Soap Solution: For further cleaning, prepare a solution of mild soap or detergent in warm water and apply it to the shade. Step 6: Scrub Away Stains: If you notice any stains or discoloration, gently scrub them away with a soft sponge. Step 7: Rinse the Shade: Use a hose with a low, even pressured stream of water to rinse the entire shade fabric off. Step 8: Ring Excess Water & Dry: Wring out excess water from the fabric and spread it out in the sun for drying. Step 9: Rehang Them: Put your shades back on your outdoor living space. Note: Contact your product manufacturer or supplier to determine the type of cleaning solution that won’t damage the fabric. FAQs How do you clean outdoor sun shades? Use a shop vacuum with a soft brush attachment to first remove the top layer of dust or dirt on the fabric. Hose off any sticky debris with a low-pressure stream. Use a mild dishwashing detergent and a medium (plastic) bristle brush to gently scrub away any stubborn stains from the fabric. How do you clean sunshade material? When cleaning sunshade material, avoid using acidic chemicals, as they can damage the solar fabric or weaken its resistance against UV light. A safe way is to use a cleaning solution, made from mild detergent and lukewarm water. If there is a thin layer of dirt on the slats, just dust it with a soft cloth or brush. How do you clean sunscreen blinds? If your sunscreen blinds are made of (horizontal) slats, an easier way to clean them is to wipe them with a wet cloth. If they consist of a sheet of woven fabric, dry clean them using a fabric-safe cleaning agent, such as a mixture of lemon juice and vinegar. It will remove stains without damaging the fabric. After that, you can thoroughly rinse the fabric with water. What is the best way to clean solar screens? The best way to clean solar screens is to use a soapy solution made from warm water and a special screen detergent. Fill your bucket with warm water. Add a teaspoonful of special screen detergent and mix thoroughly. Take a brush or cloth, soak it in water, and gently scrub the fabric to remove stains. Rinse with clean water and dry – all done! Need More Help? Need expert advice on how to prepare a fabric-safe solution to clean your sun shades? Contact our professionals using 24/7 live chat or give us a ring at (800) 863-6109.