Maintenance and Care

A well designed cover, shade or awning will shed water and allow wind to flow over it rather than creating a sail and added stress to the fabric resulting in a long-lasting fabric

Over time, your fabric will be subject to rubbing, sharp points, and wear-and-tear. WeatherMAX is tough but it is not impervious. If you start to see wear at specific points, add a reinforcement patch. Catching and addressing it early will save the fabric from a premature failure.

For optimal performance, an occasional rinsing will dispose of much of the dirt and organic matter that wafts through the air and lands on the fabric. That matter not only diminishes the water resistance, it creates a food source for mildew.

Using a soft brush and light pressure, apply a mixture of soap and water to the fabric. Thoroughly rinse the fabric and allow to air dry. Leaving soap residue can be worse than not cleaning at all.

WeatherMAX is great at controlling mold and mildew. However, storing away this fabric while wet or dirty can lead to issues such as mildew spores.

Not really. Mildew needs three things to survive and grow:
1) a food source (organic matter such as leaves, dirt, etc.)
2) Moisture
3) Warmth: 32°F to 95°F (0°C to 35°C)

Eliminate any one of those and you will not have mildew. Keep your fabric clean and breathable. If you see mildew start to grow, immediately clean your fabric. If that does not eliminate the mildew completely, use a diluted bleach mixture (refer to the care and cleaning guide).

First, make sure it is clean. Dirt and debris reduces the effectiveness of the water repellent finish. If after cleaning, it's still not to the desired level, it is likely time to retreat the fabric. Water repellent finishes will wear off over time. It is relatively easy to use an aftermarket treatment to rejuvenate the water repellency. Please refer to the care and cleaning guide for our recommendations on treatments.