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Kenlow’s broad range of custom-made patio shades and outdoor alfresco blinds come in a wide choice of colours and fabrics to match and enhance your décor and style.
If you are seeking to shade an exposed window from direct sunlight and add an attractive feature to your home, Kenlow offers a choice of window awnings and window blinds that will block up to 90% of the heat and harmful UV rays.
For over 50 years, Kenlow has been the preferred choice for awnings, canopies and Ziptrak blinds for restaurant, café and business owners all over Perth.
Kenlow offers a range of heavy duty, outdoor umbrellas suitable for both commercial and residential use. Browse umbrella shade solutions from both Skyspan and Ultrashade.
Find the right portable awning or annexe for your caravan, motor home or camper trailer, no matter what make or model. Kenlow's awnings & annexes are made from the highest quality, most durable materials. They are easy to clean and easy to take with you. See the range today.
Kenlow has been supplying tool bags and back-packs to the mining and industrial industries for over 50 years. Made from high grade canvas or PVC, our tool bags are built tough to cope with the rigours of Perth summers and the harshest environments.
Posted on 3/12/2026
We get asked about outdoor blind maintenance all the time. The good news? It’s pretty straightforward. A bit of regular attention goes a long way, and knowing what to avoid is half the battle. Just remember, your outdoor blinds are part of your home and should be included in your regular cleaning regime.
Whether you’ve got mesh, PVC or acrylic outdoor blinds in Perth, here’s how to clean outdoor blinds and keep them in top shape.
A regular brush on both sides of the fabric with a soft bristled brush, as well as hosing occasionally with clear, cold water.
Do not allow bird droppings, earth, sand or vegetable matter to remain in contact with the fabric.
Do not use a high pressure washer to the fabric as this can damage the fabric and will void the warranty.
We also recommend avoiding soaps, detergents, cleaning fluids, insecticides, as well as, petrol oil, solvents, kerosene or other similar fluids.
Swiftee Outdoor Blind Cleaner, produced by Ziptrak, is an Australian-made cleaning solution specifically for mesh and PVC blinds. It is a pH neutral concentrate that dilutes in water to clean and restore mesh and PVC blinds.
It is important to remember to let your mesh blind down to dry after cleaning or wet weather and should not be rolled up or stowed away when wet.
It is also important to avoid having your mesh blinds have direct contact with bore water. Whether it’s a direct spray or overshoot from a sprinkler system, bore water can leave staining and discolouration on the material that’s tough to shift.
PVC, like mesh, should be kept with a regular cleaning regime. Think of your windows at home – you would clean regularly along with the rest of your home – the same should be applied to your PVC blinds.
It is vitally important the PVC surfaces are not exposed to chemical compounds capable of damaging the PVC surface.
Ensure any particles are removed from the surface of the material to avoid scratches when wiping with a clean, soft cloth.
We also recommend Swiftee outdoor blind cleaner, diluted with water to clean the blind. Then rinse completely with clean water and wipe dry with a soft lint-free cloth or sponge.
Just like mesh outdoor blinds, it is important to leave your PVC blind down to dry after wet weather and should not be rolled up or stowed away when wet.
We’ve written a more detailed guide specifically for PVC Ziptrak blinds, covering operation, lubrication and cleaning step by step. You can read our detailed guide on how to care for your PVC Ziptrak blinds here.
Acrylic blinds come in a variety of colours that you will want to stay vibrant for years to come. The fabric that Kenlow uses is 100% solution-dyed, meaning the colour goes all the way through the fibre rather than sitting on the surface. That makes them resistant to fading, but they still benefit from a clean every now and then.
Avoid high-pressure washers as these can damage the fabric and will void the warranty.
For water-based stains, rinse first with cold water. If that’s not enough, a mild solution of soap in lukewarm water can be used, then thoroughly rinsed. Use a soft brush or sponge and keep the brushing gentle — harsh scrubbing can damage the Teflon coating of the fabric. Strictly mild soap solution and water only — avoid detergents, cleaning fluids, insecticides, petrol, oil, solvents and kerosene.
As with all outdoor blinds, leave the blind down to dry fully after cleaning or wet weather. Don’t roll up or stow away when wet.
One thing people often overlook is lubrication. Moving parts need a bit of attention, especially if you’re near the coast or in a dusty area.
For Ziptrak blinds, use a food-grade silicone spray like Helmar H4000. Lower the blind all the way, spray evenly in the groove between the spline and the track on both sides, then open and close the blind a few times to work it through. Whatever you do, don’t use WD40 or any oil-based lubricant. It damages the spline tape and attracts dust, which ends up clogging the track — the opposite of what you want.
For gear-operated or rope and pulley blinds, a light oil on the moving parts once a year keeps things running smoothly. Just be careful not to get oil on the fabric. It stains, and it’s not easy to get out. For more on why Ziptrak’s track-guided system is Perth’s most popular outdoor blind, see our blog on the benefits of Ziptrak blinds for Perth homes.
Perth throws a bit of everything at outdoor blinds – strong sun, heavy downpours, gusty winds. A few simple habits make a real difference.
Retract when it gets wild. Strong winds and storms are when blinds are most at risk. If you can’t fully retract them, lock them down all the way. The worst position is halfway, where the wind catches the fabric and puts strain on the whole system.
Don’t roll up wet blinds. After rain, give them time to dry in the sun first. Moisture trapped inside a rolled-up blind is a recipe for mildew and musty smells.
Changing weather and temperatures. It is very important to understand that all fabric products are by nature malleable and capable of some deflection. Changing weather conditions and temperatures will impact the fabric (some more than others) and the fabric may shrink, stiffen, expand, loosen with the changing conditions. This is to be expected and will not impact the functionality of your blind or awning.
Look after your metalwork. If your blinds have powder-coated frames or brackets, give them a wash with mild soapy water a couple of times a year. Living near the coast? Do it more often. Salt build-up eats into powder coating faster than you’d think.
If you’re weighing up which type of outdoor blind handles Perth’s conditions best, our guide on outdoor blinds vs awnings covers the key differences.
Need help with your outdoor blinds, or thinking about getting new ones? At Kenlow, all our outdoor blinds are handmade in Perth from durable materials built for the local climate. We’ve been doing this since 1969 and we’re happy to help with advice, maintenance or a brand new installation.
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