Regular maintenance is essential if you wish your retractable awnings to last a long time. However, cleaning your shades does not require a lot of effort or time. Simply sweep away dirt and dust with a cleaning brush. Then, hose your awning down with water at a gentle pressure. If there are any stains, they can be treated with a non-bleach cleaning solution. Rinse away the cleaning solution until there is no residue left, and dry the folding arm awning in the sun before retracting again.