It’s So Easy! “Low-Maintenance” Instructions for Porch Enclosures
Say goodbye to special cleaners. All you need to clean and maintain your PES most days is a hose! 

To maintain the clarity and extend the life of your PES, we recommend:

1. Rinse off any dirt and salt build-up prior to rolling up your enclosure (hose down).
2. For more stubborn buildup, we suggest wiping down with a mild soap & shammy.
3. Keep it low-maintenance! Polish the clear portion once or twice per year using Novus cleaner/wax included in your care kit, helping to reduce any buildup. Keep that shine alive!
4. Tips and requirements for extreme weather, when & how to close for the season are listed below.

Care Kit

Each of our proud new Porch Enclosure Systems owners receives a PES Care Kit with their purchase, to keep their Porch Enclosure System looking and functioning at its best. Includes:

• Novus Plastic Clean & Shine Polish #1, 2 & 3. This top-of-the-line system gently cleans your Regalite® press polished vinyl, helping maintain its glass-like clarity for the life of your Porch Enclosure System. Leaves a lustrous shine that resists fogging, repels dust, and eliminates static.  Protects against smudges and scratching. Refills available on Amazon.
• Soft Shammy Cloth. The best we have found to wash, dry, and polish your Regalite® press polished vinyl. They are like a towel, chamois, and sponge all in one, extremely absorbent and can be used over and over. Machine washable and bleachable, will not scratch surfaces, and last for more than 10 years!
• Iosso EZ Snap Zipper & Snap Lubricant. The best product we have found to lubricate, waterproof, and reduce friction on snaps, zippers, hinges, and hardware. Used by the marine industry on the finest yachts, it keeps snaps from corroding and locking up and keeps zippers sliding smoothly. E-Z Snap Zipper and Snap Lubricant will not rinse away or dissipate in hot weather, and is non hazardous, containing no solvents, silicone, or Teflon. To use on a snap, simply place one drop in the head of the snap and open and close it a few times. To use on a zipper, place a drop in the middle of the zipper and work up and down a few times to distribute.

Properly securing and rolling up your enclosure 

In the fall and spring, you will likely be using your enclosure more often. These are good times to polish your enclosure as it will keep debris from sticking and provide a nice shine and reduce the need to wash your enclosure prior to rolling. Things to keep in mind

1. When rolling up your enclosure it is always a good idea to start by hand rolling, especially if it will be up for an extended period of time. This will help reduce wrinkling the next time your enclosure is rolled down.
2. Be sure your curtains are properly fastened in the down position. One way to destroy your enclosure is to roll your system down and then forget to fasten it in heavy winds
3. When sustained winds above 50-60 MPH are expected (hurricane is in the forecast), your system should be rolled entirely up – with all panels up.
4. If you plan on keeping your system down for the winter, you should lower all panels before temperatures drop below 54 degrees. Once temperatures drop lower you may have additional difficulty fastening your enclosure and it may take longer than you had hoped to do so. 
5. Avoid rolling up curtains with clear vinyl when temperatures are below freezing. While the clear vinyl has been tested to withstand flexing in sub-zero temperatures it may reduce the longevity of your clear vinyl and fastening many prove difficult. 

Fabric Protection (No Need for Valences)

Once the clear vinyl is attached to your curtains the height on the clear view is 53″. We suggest a minimum of 12″ on top so when your curtains are rolled up the clear vinyl is covered (encased) by the fabric to protect the rolled clear portion from UV refraction.

This also protects the clear portion of your panel from sitting on the lines and creating unnecessary creasing.

Do Not Use // Avoid

DO NOT USE HARSH DETERGENTS. Apply with a clean, soft cloth or microfiber towel to gently clean the window. Never use harsh brushes or abrasives when cleaning plastic windows. Do not use products containing silicones or alcohol on your plastic window, such as typical commercial vinyl care products and glass cleaners.

Do not rub the plastic window when dry as this will scratch the window. Always flood the window with water before gently wiping it with a damp, soft cloth.

Do not roll dirty curtains or you risk scratching the clear vinyl.

Do not leave your curtains partially rolled up and allow the pull cords to rest on the clear portion of the clear vinyl for extended periods or time. 

To avoid UV refracting in the summer sun be sure your curtains are rolled up so that the clear vinyl is encased in fabric. 

Caring for an Inside-Mounted System

Caring for an inside-mounted PES (shown in 2nd video, above) requires a bit more time. You can hose down through your screen from outside. To wipe down, you’ll need to detach it from vertical supports (either self-locking fasteners along left and right hand sides, or zippers) and wipe with a shammy cloth and some mild detergent.

For quick maintenance of an inside-mounted PES, two people can clean it together. Wet and wipe down the inside manually with a soft shammy / cloth. To clean the outside-facing section, have one person gradually roll the panel up while the other uses a shammy (soft cloth) to wipe down the back, section by section.