After a long and hot summer, the weather is undeniably beginning to turn. However, there are still afternoons when you can sit outside with a cup of tea and watch colours in your garden change.
Your awning can still get plenty of use as summer gives way to autumn. This is also a good time to clear away accumulated dirt, check that everything is working as expected and give the fabric a chance to fully dry before longer periods of storage.
Each awning has its own care instructions, but alongside those, these practical habits will help you keep your awning in great shape through the changing seasons.
Clear away leaves and loose dirt
If your awning sits beneath or near a tree, check the fabric for leaves and small twigs before retracting it. It is much easier to remove them while they are resting on the surface than after they have been rolled away with the fabric.
Start with dry fabric. Use a clean, soft brush to remove loose dust and debris gently, taking particular care around the seams. Dickson (who provides all of our awning fabrics) advises against brushing dirt into wet fabric, as this can embed it rather than remove it.
You don’t need to turn every check into a deep cleaning session. A quick look before closing the awning may be enough to spot a handful of leaves or a patch that needs attention. If part of the fabric is difficult to reach, ask your installer about suitable cleaning arrangements. Stretching across the patio with a broom while balancing on garden furniture is a job best left unattempted.
Keep cleaning gentle
For superficial marks on Dickson awning fabric, a simple clean with soapy water may be sufficient. Avoid harsh cleaning products, pressure washers and prolonged scrubbing. A stubborn stain needs the correct treatment for the fabric, not physical force. Check the fabric care instructions before choosing a cleaner and use a recommended one rather than reaching for a general household stain remover.
Accessible frame and cassette surfaces can also be cleaned with a soft sponge and warm soapy water, then rinsed. Avoid soaking electrical components and leave awkward or inaccessible areas to a professional.
After washing the fabric, let it air dry thoroughly before retracting it. Choose a calm day with settled weather and enough drying time.
Let fabric dry when the weather allows
Ideally, your awning fabric should be dry before you roll it away. In practice, we all know that the changeable UK weather does not always give you that option.
If conditions change and it is no longer suitable for your awning to remain extended, retract it even if the fabric is damp. Once the weather improves and it is safe to open it again, extend the awning and allow the fabric to dry fully. Reopen the damp fabric as soon as possible; leaving it rolled away wet for a long period can encourage mould.
Try to remember to do this after a shower, and also before a holiday or a longer break from using your outdoor space. If your awning will stay closed for several weeks, choose a suitable day to check that it is clean and dry first. A cassette protects your awning when it is retracted, but it cannot dry fabric that was wet when you closed it.
Retract your awning in unsuitable weather
As autumn approaches, get into the habit of checking the forecast before extending your awning, particularly if you plan to leave it open for a while. Follow the weather limits in the instructions for your installed model. We always advise against leaving an awning extended in high winds, but the limits for the complete system depend on its specification and installation.
Next, let’s talk about rain. Check what your awning’s instructions say about use in wet weather, including any requirements concerning its angle and drainage. Water-repellent fabric alone does not establish whether the whole awning is suitable for a particular downpour. If you are unsure about the limits of your particular awning, ask your installer to explain them.
Before leaving home or closing your business, make sure the awning is in the position recommended by your installer. Understand what any automatic controls may do while you are away, too.
Check your wind and rain sensors
If your awning has weather sensors, autumn is a sensible time to check that they are working correctly. Our motorisation options include the Somfy Eolis 3D WireFree RTS wind sensor, which retracts the awning automatically in response to wind-related movement. Correct installation and awning maintenance are needed for it to provide that protection.
Follow the instructions for your fitted sensor, including any battery checks, and ask your installer to carry out testing or adjustments if you are unsure. Different devices have different procedures.
If an Eolis 3D-equipped awning starts retracting unexpectedly in calm weather, you might need a new battery. Don’t ignore the issue; get it checked as soon as possible.
For other weather-related sensors, make sure you understand their programmed responses. Do not assume that a sun sensor also detects rain, for instance. Ask your installer which sensors you have and what each one does.
Use the cassette or protective cover correctly
Fully cassetted awnings, such as our BASE Plus, enclose the fabric and folding arms when retracted. This helps protect the stored components from dirt and weather exposure.
Watch how your awning closes. If you notice a new gap, uneven closure or fabric catching as it retracts, contact your installer rather than trying to push it into place.
Arrange awning maintenance if something changes
You know how your awning normally sounds and moves. New grinding noises, jerky movement or uneven retraction are reasons to arrange an inspection. Avoid repeatedly operating an awning that is struggling, and leave adjustments to the arms, brackets and motor settings to a professional. When contacting your installer, explain what has changed and when you first noticed it. Photographs or a short video can help, provided you can obtain them safely.
A little attention now makes seasonal care easier. Keep the fabric clean, dry it when conditions allow and react to changes in operation. Then, when a bright autumn afternoon arrives, you can get back to enjoying your outdoor space.
If you need help, contact your original retailer or installer. We also provide awning maintenance guidance and spare-parts support for our trade partners to help them look after our systems.