How To Clean A Patio Umbrella

1. Prep the umbrella

This is the first step that will make cleaning the umbrella a snap. Begin by collapsing your umbrella and closing it carefully to avoid ripping the cloth. Choose a cleaning location that is shady.

If your umbrella has a detachable canopy, that’s great; however, if your umbrella’s canopy is fixed to the umbrella staff, don’t panic; washing it is still simple. To disconnect your fabric from the staff, begin unhooking the umbrella and unscrewing the cap on top of the fabric.

The majority of patio umbrellas have less than ten prongs linked to their base. Please make certain that you unhook all of them.

Since some patio umbrellas have their fabric linked to their base, double-check that everything is disconnected. While you’re at it, keep an eye out for a care tag on the fabric that will tell you if it’s machine washable or not.

2. Remove loose dirt

You will place your umbrella fabric on a trap before you begin cleaning. If your fabric is still attached, gently open it and spread it out on a protected surface.

Then, using a soft brush, remove all of the dust, or rinse it well with a water hose until all of the dirt is removed. Using a soft brush will keep the dirt from becoming more embedded. You can also shake a disconnected canopy to get rid of any loose soil.

Normally, I prefer to spray my umbrella with an outdoor hose. It’s entertaining at times, and it feels like I’m cleaning with superpowers. My neighbors’ looks when I pull out my umbrella are usually priceless. It is a more efficient and straightforward method of removing trash.

Also read: Fade-resistant patio umbrellas

3. Prepare a cleaning solution

The next critical step is to create a cleaning solution. You should not use a powerful detergent because it will damage the finish on your umbrella.

Make your own in a bucket with 2 cups of white vinegar, 2 cups of warm water, and a spoonful of dish soap. If you don’t have any of them, a quarter cup of liquid laundry detergent and a gallon of lukewarm water will suffice.

4. Cleaning

You may either machine or hand wash an umbrella with a removable canopy. If you prefer hand washing, soak the fabric in the cleaning solution you prepared and remove spots with a sponge or a soft bristle brush. Pour your cleaning solution into a spray bottle for an attached canopy, then spray the solution into the fabric with a soft brush. Please pay special attention to the soiled spots and apply extra elbow grease to them.

Because handwashing can be time-consuming, you may want to use a machine. It is quick and saves you the effort of scrubbing. Machine wash the fabric in cold water with normal amounts of mild laundry soap, depending on its size. Bleach should only be used on white fabric.

Also read: Cleaning powder coated aluminum patio furniture

5. Rinse and dry

To eliminate the soap residue, thoroughly rinse the fabric with a hose sprayer. Dirt will be drawn to any soap residue left on the fabric.

Then, instead of using an automatic dryer, let the fabric air dry. After it has dried completely, reattach it and enjoy your new and clean patio umbrella.

Also read: Heavy-duty wind resistant patio umbrella

Care Tips for a Patio Umbrella

It is critical to take proper care of your patio umbrella if you want it to last a long time. But how do you go about doing so? Keep your patio umbrella clean by washing it regularly. A monthly wash isn’t too much to ask, especially if your umbrella is more exposed.

Storing during the off-seasons will ensure that they sustain you for extended lengths of time. Keep them safe from inclement weather. To avoid mold and mildew formation, make sure everything is totally dry before storing it.

Also read: Heavy duty umbrella base with wheels

FAQs About Patio Umbrella

Can you pressure wash the patio umbrella

Washing an umbrella with a pressure washer is a fun do-it-yourself project. If you don’t have a horse visit your local car wash and borrow their pressure washer.

Also read: Sliding patio door insulation

How do you get mildew out of fabric?

There are many ways to remove mildew on your patio umbrella’s fabric but using bleach is the most effective strategy for removing mildew on white fabric.

You will apply one part of bleach to three parts of water on the mildew. Allow the solution to sit for 4 minutes, then scrub and rinse

Will bleach harm Sunbrella fabric

Using bleach on a non Sunbrella fabric will cause fading. However, when you use bleach on a Sunbrella fabric, ensure it is thoroughly rinsed and allowed to air dry.

Author

Ricky

Hi, I’m Ricky. I’ve been involved in lawn care and landscaping from when I was 15. To be honest, I didn’t like the idea of pushing mowers, collecting grass clippings, and maintaining flowerbeds at the time. But having seem the passion my parents had for gardening and outdoors and the effort they put in maintaining the health and beauty of our landscape, I couldn’t help but not only admire their hard work but also I became a part of it. As someone who loves to spend time with nature’s best, I find myself learning a lot more about gardening and outdoors on a daily basis. Not to mention I love to share the knowledge I’ve gathered over the years with my readers at We Mow Dallas. To be clear, I don’t have a Master’s degree in gardening or anything like that. Everything I’ve learned about gardening, landscaping, and lawn care spring from passion and engagement with my parents. And with a ton of free information out there, plus the ability to run tests and determine what works best for lawn care and landscaping, every day is an opportunity to learn and implement something new. My goal with We Mow Dallas is to teach you exactly how to maintain your lawn and landscape. And since I walk the talk in reality, you shouldn’t hesitate to join me in this wonderful world of landscaping and lawn care.

View all posts