Retractable pergolas have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a versatile and stylish way to enjoy your outdoor space. This type of pergola can provide shade to your outdoor space, thus providing you with effective protection from harmful UV rays during the spring and summer months. But not everything ends with the installation of a retractable awning. Just like the buds in your garden, your pergola needs care and maintenance. If you clean and maintain your pergola, it will provide you with years of shade and comfort. In this blog post, we will give you some tips on how to maintain and care for your retractable awning so that it will last for years to come.

Regular dusting and wiping
Retractable gazebos are exposed to dirt, grease, bird droppings, air pollutants, insects, leaf tannins, gums and other substances that can stain or bleach fabric. Although, rain can wash away some of the dirt on the one hand, it can also lead to mold growth on the other. This is why it is crucial to perform the necessary maintenance on your retractable pergola canopy. First of all, you can clean your awning with a water hose and broom every month. That will remove dust and dirt. But in case of stains and more difficulty removing dirt, it will be necessary to use cleaning solutions. In this regard, you must carefully choose the cleaning product based on the material of the retractable awning. Each fabric is specific and some cleaning products may damage your awning. In most cases, for general cleaning of fabrics such as natural materials, acrylic and vinyl, you can use dish soap and cold water. However, if there are grease, fruit stains, mildew, rust, etc, you may need to use other cleaners. Also, all metal parts only need to be wiped with a damp cloth and do not need to be cleaned frequently. Therefore, you can clean the frame once a month with a soft bristle broom.

Install correctly
When you own a gazebo make sure it remains protected from scratches when you switch it on or off. The constant abrasion will also cause the gazebo to tear. To avoid such circumstances ensure that the structure is properly installed and it does not lean on rough surfaces.

Keep away from plant matter
One of the keys to keeping your awnings looking new is to keep them free of leaves and plants. Hanging branches and leaves can cause permanent damage to the structure. Some plants release a chemical that can actually damage the fabric and aluminum or steel frames if they are in close proximity to the retractable gazebo canopy, thus significantly shortening the shelf life of the awning. Try to install your awning as far away as possible from trees that may drop leaves. If this is not possible, it is advisable to remove neighboring branches. Similarly, do not allow vines or other plants to extend over your awning, thus reducing the extra weight that vines exert on it.

Stowed when necessary
While retractable awnings can protect you and even some of your indoor furniture from the sun, this is not true in other weather conditions. Keep your awning stowed during hail, heavy rain and winds over 20 mph, which can damage the awning and even the fabric. Keep in mind that awning warranties are unlikely to cover damage caused by wind, rain, hail and other weather events. To honor the warranty, it's wise to put your awning away when it's not in use, especially if there's a threat of storms or other severe weather. It's a good habit to put your awning away at the end of the day's use - if a storm hits and no one is home, the retractable awning will be protected. Before stowing your pergola with retractable roof, make sure its surface is free of dirt and debris. This will prevent damage from objects that could get stuck in the concealment box. Never retrieve an awning that is not completely dry. If the motorized unit is turned on while the fabric is hardened by freezing water, mold growth may result.

Now that you understand how to maintain a retractable pergola, take good care of it and enjoy the proper function of your awning for years to come.