How To Clean Solar Screens
When you have retractable solar shades installed on your home to keep both indoor and outdoor areas cooler on the hottest of days, you’ll want to make sure you keep them clean and looking as good as they did when first installed.
Along with keeping them looking great, proper cleaning can also help your solar blinds have a longer lifespan. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and learn how to clean solar screens, our shade cleaning experts here at Rollac have some tips you’ll want to keep in mind.
Tools of the Trade
Similarly to cleaning rolling shutters, if you want to clean the solar shades at your home, you’ll need to have the proper tools of the trade. If you are thinking your cleaning job will require lots of specialized equipment, we’ll tell you that you’ll only need the most basic things to make your retractable solar shades look fantastic.
When compiling your list, start by including some microfiber cloths and a bottle of mild dishwashing liquid. Also have a soft-bristled brush at the ready, such as a vegetable brush or something similar. If you try to use a toothbrush, it’s probably going to have bristles that are too small to effectively remove dirt and debris from your solar screens. Plus, since the toothbrush is very small, your cleaning job will take much longer.
To rinse off the screens, we recommend you use either a garden hose or pressure washer that is set on the lowest possible pressure output. If you use a high-level pressure washer, you could potentially damage exterior solar shades.
Finally, have a cotton cloth available to dry off the screens. If you let them stay wet, it becomes easier for dirt and debris to accumulate on them, negating the great cleaning job you just finished.
How to Clean Solar Screens Step by Step
Now that you’ve got your tools together and are ready to get started, here are the steps you’ll use to clean your solar screens.
1. Dampen the Microfiber Cloth
Your first step in cleaning your sun screens will be to slightly dampen your microfiber cloth with a mix of warm soapy water. Once you do, clean your shades by washing both sides, since this will ensure all dirt and debris are loosened up and removed. If it’s been awhile between cleanings, you may need to go over the shades a couple of times to remove all the dirt.
2. Start Scrubbing
After you’ve finished the initial wash job, it’s time for you to pick up your brush and start scrubbing your retractable solar shades. While you want to put enough muscle behind this to get your solar blinds clean, you don’t want to scrub like you are trying to wear a hole in your blinds. If you scrub too hard, you risk damaging them. To get the best results, scrub at a slow and steady pace, using a moderate amount of force.
3. Rinse Away the Dirt and Soap
Now that your arm may be a bit tired from all that scrubbing, we recommend you put down the scrub brush, grab your garden hose or pressure washer, and rinse away all that dirt and soap from your solar shades. Remember, whether you are using the garden hose or pressure washer, don’t use a full-on spray to rinse off your solar blinds, since this can damage them. Instead, use as gentle a spray as possible, since it won’t take much to get rid of the soapy residue. If you’re nervous about using a hose or pressure washer, you can choose to simply pour a few gallons of water over your shades, which should work just as well.
4. Dry the Shades
Your final cleaning step will be to pick up your cotton cloth and dry off your solar shades. Like we said earlier, never leave your exterior solar shades wet, since this sets the stage for dirt and debris to once again quickly accumulate. When drying the shades, always do so when they are fully retracted, since this allows you to make sure any and all spots on the shades are completely dry.
5. Test for Any Damage
After your shades are cleaned and have dried, you may want to give them a quick test to make sure they are still working properly, especially if you used a pressure washer to rinse them off. Although our Rollac retractable solar shades are extremely durable, a pressure washer used incorrectly can cause damage. To have peace of mind, pull out the remote control and make sure all is well.
Need New Solar Shades?
Cleaning your solar shades isn’t a difficult task after all, is it? Make sure you follow our step by step guide and you will be able to enjoy your solar screens for years to come. If you are on the lookout for new solar shades, check out Rollac’s ZipShade Solar Shading solutions, designed to meet the highest quality standards while adding comfort, protection, and privacy to your home.