You've invested in a quality set of Snap Shades, custom-fit and built to Australian UV standards for your exact vehicle. The last thing you want is to damage them because you cleaned them the wrong way.
To clean your Snap Shades, wipe the mesh with a damp microfibre cloth and a small amount of mild soap, then air dry completely before storing or reinstalling.
The cleaning method for your side window shades differs from how you should care for your front windscreen shade. Here's how to do both correctly.
No special products required. Just grab these basics:
Your side window Snap Shades use a smart magnet system to attach to your vehicle's window frame, with no suction cups, no stickers, and nothing touching the glass. Magnetic car shade cleaning requires a little more attention around the magnet strip than standard fabric shades. The mesh blocks up to 84.6% of UVA and UVB rays, and keeping it clean ensures it keeps performing to that standard.
The mesh and flexible frame handle everyday use well, but a few things cause genuine damage:
Avoid prolonged moisture around the magnets. A quick targeted wipe beats a long soak every time.
Your front windscreen shade is a different product entirely.
It doesn't use the magnet system; it relies on a precision custom fit to sit snugly against the windscreen when parked. Studies on parked vehicle heat build-up show interior temperatures can exceed 60°C on a hot Australian day within 30 minutes.
The front windscreen shade is your most effective barrier against this, blocking direct sun at the source before it converts to cabin heat.
The same cleaning rules apply as the side window shades: no heat, no harsh chemicals, no machine washing. Two things specific to the windscreen shade:
For most Australians, once every one to three months is enough for regular use. If you're regularly driving on dusty roads, doing off-road trips, or your car is constantly in use with little ones, clean them more frequently. Parents with baby car accessories in the mix will know how quickly a car interior collects grime.
The simplest check is visual. If the mesh looks grimy or feels sticky, it's time for a clean.
With proper care, your Snap Shades should last for years. Most customers report getting two to three years of regular daily use before any wear becomes noticeable on the mesh or frame.
The biggest factors are drying them fully before storage and avoiding any chemical cleaners. The mesh fibres degrade from solvents faster than from physical wear.
If a magnet loosens or a clip breaks before the shade itself wears out, you don't need to replace the whole set. Snap Shades stocks a full range of spare parts and accessories, including replacement magnetic mounts, toddler clips, port window clips, and storage bags. Always worth checking there before assuming you need a whole new set.
Proper storage matters as much as proper cleaning:
No. Machine washing damages both the mesh fabric and the frame. Hand wash with mild soap and lukewarm water, then air dry fully before storing or reinstalling.
You can give them a light wipe-down while installed, but for a thorough clean it's better to remove them. You'll get into the edges and around the magnets more easily, and avoid soapy water dripping into the car interior.
Start by checking for dust or residue on the magnet strip. A gentle wipe often restores grip quickly. If the magnets are genuinely worn, replacement magnetic mounts are available from the spare parts range.
Most customers get two to three years of daily use before any wear becomes noticeable. The mesh fibres are more vulnerable to chemical cleaners than to physical wear, so the single biggest thing you can do to extend the life of your shades is stick to mild soap and avoid anything solvent-based.
A faint soapy smell that disappears once fully dry is normal. A persistent musty smell usually means the shades were stored while still damp. Give them a thorough clean, then dry completely in a well-ventilated spot before packing them away.
Clean them regularly, store them dry, and replace a part when needed rather than the whole set. With basic care, your Snap Shades will hold up for years of Australian driving.
Browse spare parts and accessories or shop the full Snap Shades range while you're here.
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