The Ultimate Guide to Shade Sail Maintenance

Nothing beats enjoying a beautiful day under the comfort of a shade sail. Around the world, the market for shade sails is worth more than $2 billion each year!

Those are some impressive numbers. There is a reason that so many people support this industry. Shade sails and similar products provide an incredible amount of value.

However, shade sail maintenance is essential to keep shade sails providing that value. Cleaning shade sails and understanding how to remove lichen off a shade sail are essential parts of making the most of your shade sail.

So what exactly do you need to keep in mind when it comes to maintaining your shade sails? Read on to learn all about the most important tips to apply to your shade sail maintenance!

How to Maintain a Shade Sail

Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining the performance of your shade sails. After all, you depend on your shade sails to protect you from harsh rays from the sun and pounding rain from the clouds. As a result, your shade still has to absorb all of that wear and tear itself.

In particular, the fabric of your shade sail is susceptible to acquiring damage over time. On top of that, small tears in the fabric of your shade sail can turn into large tears if they are not carefully treated.

That is why it is so important that you regularly inspect your shade sails. Otherwise, you may not catch small tears in time. If you don't catch and repair small tears, you may have to buy a new shade sail.

This is especially true because of how hard it is to repair tears in your shade sail. If you can find the tears soon enough, you might be able to patch them so that your sail will last longer. However, once you have your first tear, it shouldn't surprise you if your sail's days are numbered.

Although less susceptible to damage, your shade sail also has a metallic structure. Make sure to check that metallic structure for any damage. In most cases, damage to the metallic part of your shade sail will require you to buy a new shade sail or at least a new shade sail frame.

Along with your regular checks, you will also want to have special inspections. A special inspection will be appropriate after some kind of unusual event that might've caused damage. In most cases, this would be especially bad weather.

Tips on Cleaning a Shade Sail

Of course, serious damage is only one reason you might need to replace an old shade sail with a new one from quality manufacturers like Shadetex Sails. A sufficiently dirty shade sail also needs replacement.

Shade sails tend to accumulate dirt at an exponential rate. That means that if you let a little bit of dirt accumulate, they are more likely to accumulate more and more dirt. They may eventually become stained so much that they will not retain their original appearance without serious treatment like bleaching or dying.

However, if your shade sail is that dirty, it's simpler to simply replace it.

To avoid that, you want to keep your shade sail clean. That means having a regular cleaning so that excess dirt does not have time to accumulate and stain. 

It is worth remembering that you can only do so much on the maintenance end to keep your shade sale in good shape. If it is not installed properly, it will take on damage and dirt faster.

It also helps to have quality materials. If possible, you want a sturdy steel post and a shade sail made out of a robust fabric.

How to Remove Lichen off a Shade Sail

When it comes to lichen, you have a couple of choices. You can use white vinegar or you can use bleach.

If you do use bleach, then you will need to make sure to dilute it with a lot of water. In general, you're looking for about 15 times as much water as bleach in your solution.

Then spray your solution or vinegar across any lichen that you can see. You want to make sure there is enough spray to saturate the lichen. Instead of wiping the solution off, wait until it dries.

Once it is dry, you can clean it off with water.

How to Clean Mouldy Shade Sails

The best cleaning tool to clean mould off of a shade sail is vinegar. You want to make sure that every spot of mould and mildew comes in direct contact with vinegar. In contrast, you want to make sure that you do not come in direct contact with the mould.

Instead, make sure to wear gloves and keep yourself protected while you are cleaning. Mould can provoke allergic reactions and respiratory problems.

You want to use a soft brush for cleaning mould off of your shade sail. That will give you enough cleaning strength to do the job without being too abrasive. If you are too harsh, you can do some damage to your shade sail.

If necessary, you can also use baking soda on especially difficult stains. Baking soda will also remove any unpleasant odours.

Laying your shade sail out in the sun can also help kill any remaining mould. Of course, it will also help dry out your shade sail. 

Understand the Most Important Principles of Shade Sail Maintenance

We hope that some of the ideas in this brief article about the most important principles of shade sail maintenance have been helpful for you. Many people enjoy their shade sails the most when they first buy them and they are still looking pristine. However, they soon lose the enjoyment of their shade sails as they degrade over time.

Fortunately, you can extend their longevity and beauty by cleaning shade sails. The right maintenance tips can help you keep a shade sail in good condition for as long as possible. To learn more about how to properly take care of your shade sail or where you can find experts to help you find new shade sails, feel free to reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!

Please note the contents of this post is information only and general in nature.
If you require advice it is best to contact one of our shade specialists who can review your particular circumstances and then provide tailored advice according to your needs.