How to Clean and Care for Motorized Exterior Solar Shades

Published November 2026

An exterior solar shade is a roller shade that sits outside the window or opening and stops heat before it reaches the glass. It lives in sun, rain, pollen and, for many Connecticut homes, salt air, so a little regular care goes a long way. This guide covers what to do and what to avoid. For the product itself, see our exterior solar shades page and our in-depth shades guide.

Shaded outdoor spaces stay comfortable longer when the fabric is kept clean and the motor is looked after.

What will I need?

• A soft-bristle brush (not a wire or stiff scrub brush).
• A garden hose with a gentle spray nozzle.
• Mild soap and a bucket of cool or lukewarm water. If your fabric is Sunbrella, Sunbrella also makes its own fabric cleaner.
• Clean cloths for hardware.
• Your remote, wall switch or app, so you can lower the shade to a comfortable working height.

Pick a mild, overcast day if you can. Cleaning in direct sun makes soap dry on the fabric before you can rinse it.

How do I clean exterior solar shade fabric, step by step?

1. Lower the shade. Use the remote to bring the fabric down to a height you can reach without a ladder. If it is on a high window, ask us about service rather than climbing.
2. Brush off loose dirt. Dust, leaves and spider webs come off more easily dry. Work gently from top to bottom.
3. Hose it down. Rinse the fabric with a gentle spray, not a pressure washer.
4. Wash with mild soap. Mix mild soap in cool to lukewarm water, brush the fabric lightly with the soft brush and let the solution sit a few minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly. Keep rinsing until you see no soap residue running off. Leftover soap attracts dirt.
6. Air dry. Leave the shade down until it is completely dry before rolling it up. Do not use a heat gun or hair dryer.

That is the same approach Sunbrella describes on its page for cleaning Sunbrella shade fabrics: brush off loose dirt, hose down, wash with water and mild soap using a soft brush, rinse until the soap residue is gone, and air dry. If your fabric is not Sunbrella, follow the care instructions from its maker, or ask us which fabric is on your shade.

What about mildew and stubborn stains?

Regular cleaning matters more than any special product, because mildew grows on dirt that stays on the fabric. If you do see spots, Sunbrella’s guidance for its own fabric is a stronger solution: one cup of bleach and one-quarter cup of mild soap per gallon of clean water, left on for up to 15 minutes, then brushed gently and rinsed thoroughly. Sunbrella also sells a mold and mildew stain remover as an alternative, and it advises that fabric may need to be retreated for water and stain resistance after a bleach solution.

How do I look after the motor, brackets and hardware?

The fabric is only part of the system. A motorized shade also has a roller tube, a motor, side guides or tracks, and mounting brackets. A few habits keep them working:

• Keep water off the motor head. Rinse the fabric, not the motor. Avoid pressure washing anywhere near the tube ends or the motor.
• Clear the tracks. If your shade runs in side guides, brush or vacuum out leaves, pollen and spider webs so the fabric moves smoothly.
• Wipe the hardware. A damp cloth removes salt and grime from brackets, covers and fascia.
• Look at the hardware. On shoreline homes, loose or corroded fasteners are worth a call. Our exterior solar shades guide describes the stainless hardware we specify for coastal projects.
• Test your remote. If the shade responds slowly or not at all, replace the remote battery first. Then check the power. Our power and control options guide explains how the systems work.

A simple year-round care calendar

Our spring checklist covers the same ground for awnings and screens, and the storm prep guide lists what to do before a storm.

When should I call a professional?

Call us instead of trying to fix it yourself if you see any of these:

• The shade rolls up crooked or the fabric ripples or sags, which can indicate a tension or alignment problem.
• The motor hums but the shade does not move, or it stops partway.
• The fabric has a tear, frayed edge or loose seam.
• Brackets or fasteners are loose or visibly rusted.
• The shade sits high on a second-floor window and you cannot reach it safely.

Our repair and replacement guide explains what to expect, and the free estimate page is the fastest way to ask for help. Sensors can also affect how a shade behaves in wind; see our wind and sun sensor guide for how they work.

Should I choose a shade for easy care?

If you are choosing between a solar shade and another product, think about how you want to maintain it. A shade is a single sheet of fabric that is easy to lower, brush and rinse, while a retractable screen is a different tool for a different job, such as keeping insects out. Our solar shades vs retractable screens guide helps you decide which is right for your space. Fabrics, openness and color affect how much heat and light you want to block, so we bring samples to every free estimate.

Frequently asked questions