Patio enclosures are meant to cut off the maintenance hassle as they will protect the patio for a long time. However, taking care of aluminum patio enclosures is always confusing for the most. Aluminum parts of the patio get easily affected by molds and create unrecoverable damages. Especially when there is a higher level of humidity, such damages seem to happen more.
You need to consider what are the products you’re using and what’s the procedure you’re following as well. It takes little of your effort but more of your research. Here things can go easier if you get some professional tips and directions on how to clean aluminum patio enclosures.
Aluminum patio enclosures are certainly one of the best picks. Patio enclosures don’t require any extra maintaining hassle, but you must make sure you’re following the basic tips here.
Does the Aluminum patio enclosure get affected by mold?
An aluminum patio enclosure can get easily affected by molds/ algae. Such effects can damage the aluminum parts and cause premature age to the patio.
Not cleaning the surface regularly causes such effects often. If the weather is rainy and the humidity level seems too high, there is a big chance of gathering rain, general debris or pollen on the patio. If once your aluminum patio catches such infectious elements, they become stubborn to clean out. Then, you must clean such series immediately from your patio.
How to clean aluminum patio enclosures?
Materials like aluminum seem to require proper maintenance. You can try both regular and deep cleaning here. Regular cleaning is also known as hand cleaning. In contrast, deep cleaning is required as well. Deep cleansing is known as a power washer.
Regular Cleaning
You better not use any harsh chemicals for regular cleaning or go with any complicated tools. You can use gentle cleaners and complete the entire procedure with your hands only. Regular cleaning can be described in three basic steps: Spray, scrub and dry.
Tools & materials you’ll need:
- Dish soap/ Vinegar
- Brush
- Soft bristles
- Elbow grease
- Garden hose
Process:
Firstly, wipe the patio using a clean and wet microfiber cloth to remove extra debris. Then, get a bucket and pour some warm water into it and mix it with mild dish soap.
Use a soft brush and soft bristle for scrubbing. Spread the mixture thoroughly over the surface. Make sure the brush and bristle are not abrasive as that can be a threat to your surface.
If you’re not sure about the dish soap, use some vinegar mixture here. You cause 1:1 = vinegar: water here. Pour this solution into a spray bottle to spread up the solution properly. If the patio has scratches, consider using a slight amount of bleach here.
Now, start scrubbing over the surface thoroughly. Use any good quality elbow greaser for cleansing out the greasiness.
Once the surface seems thoroughly cleaned, get a water hose and wash out all tint of debris and products.
Now allow the patio to air dry. If you still notice any griminess over the patio, consider repeating the entire process again.
If you clean the surface in this way regularly, there will neither be any scratches nor any greasiness.
Deep Cleaning:
Deep cleansing is a must but not every week. Depending on the dirt accumulation, you can follow this process once/ twice every month. Such cleansing is required to reach tough areas of the patio enclosure. Here you might have to use a power washer.
Tools & materials:
- Power washer
- Wax
- Regular cleaner material
Process:
In the deep cleaning procedure, follow the regular cleaning process first. Here you need to use a power washer at a high level.
The high-pressurized warm water will wash out all extra debris and give extra shine to the enclosure. Make sure the water here is not too hot as that can cause damages to the screen. Mold/ stains/ mildew or algae can be thoroughly removed with such wash.
The best way here is to set up the machine at the lowest level. Then slightly start raising the power level to keep the process safer.
As an extra step, don’t forget waxing. Wax will keep the aluminum and the glass part of the patio enclosure shinier. Consider using wax esp[ecially manufactured for aluminum. These are strong enough to keep the aluminum and glass materials safer and protected.
Tips For Better Cleansing:
- Don’t use any abrasive/Strong brush/bristle as they can create scratches.
- Don’t use regular car wax as an alternative here as they are not strong enough to deal with the sun fade.
- Bleach can cause discoloration to the aluminum parts of the enclosure. Use 3:1 = water: bleach for keeping it safer.
- Use gloves and a mask to protect your skin while cleaning.
- Keep the lights off while cleaning the enclosure on a sunny afternoon.
- If you’re using any commercial cleaner, give a check on the elements and don’t go for any harsh one.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you aluminum patio enclosure?
How often one should clean the patio will depend on the dirt accumulation and condition of the enclosure. It is super simple to regular cleansing. So, you can consider whipping off the enclosure every day, just like your window. For deep cleaning, choose any day of the month.
Can I use a garden hose instead of a power washer?
A power washer requires good skill and experience to control the machine at a blanched level. It is possible if you want to use a garden hose instead of a power washer. In such a case, go with a power washer that is easy to balance.
Wrap up
A filthy aluminum patio enclosure is a threat to your functional components. It is nothing complicated to take care of the enclosure. Whichever process you follow, stay gentle both with the chemicals and procedure. Take good care of the surface, and you can easily protect it from mold/ algae/ griminess/ scratches.