Newsletter 21

The Shade Insider: Keeping Your Outdoor Living Space Fresh!

Whether you are enjoying an autumn sun or sheltering from a sudden autumn shower, your outdoor shades work hard to keep you comfortable. To help your investment last for years to come, we’ve rounded up the ultimate care guide for your retractable awnings, Ziptrak® blinds, and shade sails.

🛠️ Retractable Awnings: Smooth Moves Only

• Operation: Always retract your awning during strong winds or heavy rain to avoid stretching the fabric or straining the arms.

• Cleaning:

  • Monthly: Give the underside a quick sweep with a household broom to remove spider webs and dust.

  • Annually: Hose down the fabric with cold water and a soft brush. For deeper cleans, use a mild soap but avoid harsh detergents which can strip the fabric's protective coating.

• Hardware: Lubricate moving joints and the gear mechanism once a year with a dry silicone spray such as food grade CRC 808 to prevent squeaks and stiff operation.

🏗️ Ziptrak® Blinds: The Track-Guided Pro

Ziptrak® blinds are loved for their ease of use, but keeping those tracks clear is key.

• Operating Tip: Always operate manual blinds from the centre of the bottom bar to ensure the material rolls up evenly.

• Lubrication: If the blinds feel stiff, apply a food-grade silicone spray inside the tracks. Avoid oil-based lubricants like WD40, as they attract dirt and can damage the spline tape.

• PVC Care: If you have clear PVC blinds, avoid rolling them up while wet. Trapped moisture can cause the PVC to turn cloudy or milky. If this happens, roll them down in the sun to clear the opaqueness.

• Cleaning: Use a soft cloth and soapy cold water. For PVC, specialized cleaners like

  Swiftee are highly recommended to prevent scratches and maintain clarity.

⛵ Shade Sails: Tension is Everything

A loose shade sail is a vulnerable shade sail. Keeping yours drum-tight is the secret to longevity.

• The "Drum Tight" Rule: Check your sail tension regularly. If it's flapping in the wind, it will wear out much faster. Tighten turnbuckles until the sail is rigid with no creases.

• Wintering: To quadruple the life of your sail, we recommend removing and storing it over the winter months.

• Washing:

  • Lay the sail flat on a clean surface (like a driveway).

  • Use a soft-bristled brush and a mild dishwashing detergent to scrub away bird droppings and dirt.

  • Rinse thoroughly and ensure it is completely dry before folding it for storage to prevent mould.

• Warning: Never use a high-pressure water blaster at close range, as it can damage the weave of the fabric.

Pro-Tip: The "Dry Before You Fly" Rule

The number one rule for all outdoor fabrics? Never store them wet. Rolling up or folding away damp fabric is a guaranteed recipe for mould and mildew, which can permanently stain and degrade the material.