Like with all furniture, especially fabric, regular and routine cleaning is the best way to keep your outdoor umbrella looking its best. Umbrellas made with Sunbrella fabrics are easy to clean, weather resistant, and mold and mildew resistant.
Regular cleaning helps prevent dirt from becoming deeply embedded in the fabric and eliminates the need for more frequent thorough cleaning. In most environments, a thorough cleaning will only be needed every two to three years.
General Umbrella Care Tips
For everyday cleaning and routine maintenance to your outdoor umbrella, Sunbrella fabrics are easy to care for. One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella fabrics looking good is to hose fabrics off monthly with clean water.
Regular Cleaning: Equipment Needed
- Clean water; using a hose is an easy way to reach your umbrella and thoroughly soak the fabric
- Mild soap such as Woolite® or Dawn® dishwashing liquid
- Soft bristle brush
How to Clean your Outdoor Umbrella
Spot clean any stains by following these steps:
- Brush off loose dirt and debris
- Hose down
- Prepare a cleaning solution of water and mild soap such as Woolite® or Dawn® dishwashing liquid
- Use a soft bristle brush to clean
- Allow cleaning solution to soak into fabric
- Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed
- Air dry
Cleaning Mold and Mildew Off an Outdoor Umbrella
Sunbrella fabrics are resistant to the growth of mold and mildew, however, extended exposure to dirt or other foreign substances can cause mildew to grow. To clean mold or mildew from your outdoor umbrella:
- Prepare a solution of 1 cup bleach and ¼ cup mild soap per gallon of clean water
- Allow mixture to soak into fabric for up to 15 minutes
- Clean with a soft bristle brush
- Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed
- Air dry
- Repeat if necessary
- Re-treatment of fabric for water and stain resistance will be necessary after using a bleach solution. We recommend 303® Fabric Guard as a suitable re-treating agent.
FAQ
Should I close my patio umbrella every night?
Always close your umbrella if a storm is coming, powerful winds can grab the umbrella and flip your table over, risking damage to your umbrella, table, chairs, and deck/patio. A good rule of thumb is to put down your umbrella any time you know you will not be using it for a while or if a storm is coming. If a particularly powerful storm is coming through, remove the umbrella from the table entirely and put it away for safe keeping.
What cleaners work to clean an outdoor umbrella?
Regular cleaning can be done with a solution of mild soap and water (such as Woolite® or Dawn®). We also recommend 303® Multi-Surface Cleaner for all Sunbrella fabrics, including umbrellas.
Does this work for all outdoor materials?
Most Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned with the same basic steps. You can view our How to Clean Page to see details for specific cleaning instructions.
Can you wash an outdoor umbrella in the washing machine?
This depends on the umbrella you have. Some manufacturers have detachable canopies on their umbrellas or shade structures. If your canopy/fabric is detachable, Sunbrella fabrics are machine washable. You should contact the umbrella manufacturer for details on how or if your umbrella canopy is detachable.
Can you pressure wash an outdoor umbrella?
You should not use a pressure washer on Sunbrella fabrics.
Learn More
We have several helpful guides that provide tips and tricks for the most effective and efficient cleaning method for your Sunbrella fabric. Visit our How to Clean page for detailed instructions or contact us for more information.
