Sunbrella is not only known for its durability but also for how effortless it is to clean. Any difficult-to-remove stains won’t easily stain them. The fabrics will look fantastic after years of use, with frequent, easy maintenance. Below we have compiled Sunbrella cleaning instructions to help you maintain the quality of your Sunbrella fabric. Let’s delve in!
Table of Contents
How to Clean Sunbrella Outdoor Fabrics
While Sunbrella fabrics are compatible with outdoor and indoor usage, the cleaning techniques should change significantly. It is mainly due to the manufacturing and fabrication of the upholstered furniture itself.
So, let’s start with the cleaning methods for Sunbrella outdoor upholstery. If you have a unit with removable fabric, you can simply wash them by hand or throw them in your washing machine. Here are the methods to follow:
A. Hand washing
First and foremost, make a cleaning solution in a large bucket by mixing a gallon of warm water and ¼ cup of mild soap. Soak the Sunbrella fabric in the bucket of cleaning solution for a few minutes.
Next, use a soft bristle brush or sponge to scrub the stained area gently. Once you are done, rinse it in clean water to remove the soap residue. Lastly, let the Sunbrella fabric completely dry in the sun.
B. Machine washing
This instruction is applicable for both outdoor and indoor fabrics. To start the Sunbrella cleaning instructions for machine washing, you first need to zip all zippers up. Next, use a suitable stain remover to pretreat stained areas.
Then, machine washing the fabric in the delicate mode in cold water using average amounts of laundry detergent. If your Sunbrella has severe mildew, consider adding 1 cup of bleach. Lastly, let the fabric completely air dry.
How to Clean Sunbrella Indoor Fabrics
Cleaning your Sunbrella indoor fabrics doesn’t require you to prepare a specific type of cleaning agent. However, the cleaning method is entirely different from Sunbrella outdoor fabrics. It requires a bit of effort.
First, you must make a cleaning mixture using mild soap and water. Consider using a spray bottle for ease of use. Afterward, spray a light mist of the cleaning solution on the stained surface.
With a soft bristle brush or sponge, softly brush the stained surface of the Sunbrella from seam to seam. Do not scrub the surface, nor even use a hard bristled brush, which would damage the fabric.
Next, rinse the entire Sunbrella with clean water to remove any soap remains. To prevent mildew from accumulating, blot up any excess moisture using a clean microfiber sponge or cloth. Then, wet-vacuum water residue off the fabric’s whole surface from seam to seam.
Lastly, allow the Sunbrella to air dry. You may repeat the rinse and blot step until no soap residue is visible on the fabric’s surface.
How to Remove Stains on Sunbrella Fabrics
Before following any Sunbrella cleaning instructions above, you need first to pretreat any stain visible on your fabrics. Doing so will enhance the chances of dirt removal. Here are the instructions to remove common stains from your Sunbrella fabrics.
1. Mold or mildew
Sunbrella does not stimulate mold or mildew growth. Yet still, mildew may develop on foreign elements left untreated on the fabric’s surface. To remove them, you can first make a cleaning solution from a gallon of water with ¼ cup of mild soap and 1 cup of bleach.
Spray the solution on the stained area and let it soak for about 15 minutes. Use a soft-bristled brush, clean towel, or sponge to clean the entire surface in blotting movement. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to dissolve any soap residue. Finally, allow the Sunbrella fabric to air dry.
If the mildew or mold stains are severe and considerably hard to remove, you may increase the amount of bleach.
2. Oil-based stains
Your Sunbrella fabrics are not invulnerable to stains. It seems as though all kinds of stains, particularly the oil-based ones, find their way to your Sunbrella upholstered pieces. Luckily, you can quickly treat them using household products like cornstarch.
You can directly apply cornstarch to the oil-stained area and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Afterward, remove the absorbent powder with a straight edge. It effectively prevents the stain from being absorbed into the Sunbrella fabric.
Next, put a small amount of mild soap with water on the stained area. Rinse it thoroughly and allow the fabric to air dry. If the initial attempt does not entirely remove the stain, consider repeating the cleaning process.
Additional Tips for Cleaning Sunbrella Fabrics
The following additional tips will help you better perform the Sunbrella cleaning instructions above.
- Clean the entire surface of the Sunbrella fabrics from seam to seam rather than rubbing them in a circular motion. It will help prevent water stains or rings from developing.
- Before you clean your Sunbrella with bleach, protect the surrounding area of the fabric. Bleach can discolor your non-Sunbrella fibers. Also, bleach can be damaging to the natural environment.
- Avoid ironing the Sunbrella with an iron set or even a steamer. If you have to iron out visible wrinkles on your Sunbrella, set your iron on “synthetic fabric” mode. To prevent any mishap, make sure first to test a small area of the fabric.
- Do not scrub or use stiff bristle brushes and other harsh cleaning methods to clean the surface of your Sunbrella. All those can enhance the chances of damaged material.
- Avoid using a dryer to dry Sunbrella fabrics. Let them air dry to maintain their original shape.
Sunbrella fabrics are made with stain and water-resistant coating, allowing them to last for years. Yet still, you will need to clean them to maintain their original shape and look regularly.
You can follow the Sunbrella cleaning instructions above whenever you want to clean your fabrics. Following proper cleaning procedures can make your Sunbrella-covered furniture look new again. Let alone if you combine Sunbrella fabrics with teak furniture, such as a sun lounger for an outdoor pool. Want to see how good the combo is? Buy a teak sun lounger here!
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