You may be familiar with the performance and quality of Sunbrella fabrics, but are you up-to-speed on the best practices to keep these fabrics looking like new for years to come? We sat down with the Sunbrella Care Team to get expert tips and advice on fabric care. See what they had to say below, and for stain-specific guidance, download the Sunbrella Cleaning Guide.
Which Sunbrella cleaning products would you recommend customers keep on hand, if they were only going to pick a few? How do each of them work?
- A few that should be kept close are Clean™, Restore™, and Extract™.
- Restore is designed to renew the fabric’s stain-resistant performance after it’s been thoroughly cleaned.
- Clean is a multi-purpose solution for general soiling and stain removal. It’s designed to be used with a seam-to-seam cleaning method, which can be done by machine-washing or hand-washing the whole application.
- Extract is designed to remove lingering oil stains from fabrics once they’ve been allowed to dry. If you have an oil-based stain on your fabric, we recommend you first do a seam-to-seam cleaning with Clean to remove particulates that are mixed with the oil. After drying, use Extract to remove the remaining oil-stain.
If you didn’t have Sunbrella Extract on hand, what at-home method could help with oil-based stains?
- Cornstarch is a powder-like substance that will absorb oil out of fabrics when allowed to sit for a few minutes. Once the stain has been absorbed, the cornstarch can be brushed or vacuumed away, thus removing the stain.
Are there any special considerations for using Sunbrella fabrics outdoors?
- Outdoor installations should be lightly cleaned and vacuumed weekly to remove dirt, dust, and other organic build-up. This will help prevent the possibility of mildew formation.
- Dripping water onto your Sunbrella fabric is a good way to tell if it’s time for a cleaning or treatment. If the water does not bead up, you should clean and retreat your fabrics with Restore.
- Stains that are exposed to sunlight and the elements have a greater chance of becoming set in if not addressed in a timely manner.
What are some common mistakes people make when cleaning Sunbrella fabrics?
- The most common mistake we see is trying to spot-clean set-in stains rather than following our recommended seam-to-seam cleaning method. Spot cleaning may create a nonuniform appearance by creating one clean spot, while the remainder is soiled.
- Another common mistake is trying to remove stains by scrubbing, rather than allowing the chemistry to do the work. Customers should neither scrub hard nor use a stiff brush, both of which can damage the fabric. We recommend gently agitating the cleaning solution into the fabric with a soft-bristle brush—one you would feel comfortable using on the paint of your car. Agitation helps work the cleaning solution into the weave of the fabric, allowing the chemistry to lift the stain.
Is it safe to use bleach on all Sunbrella fabrics? What precautions should one take?
- Bleach can be used on Sunbrella fabrics without fear of harming the fabrics. However, you should exercise caution when utilizing bleach to not damage any non-Sunbrella components.
Are there any methods or tools to avoid when cleaning Sunbrella fabrics?
- We do not recommend Sunbrella fabrics to be machine dried as it may shrink the thread in the seams of the cushion casings and cause the seams to pucker. Customers should also not clean their fabrics with any high-velocity equipment, like a pressure-washer, as these machines can severely damage woven fabrics.
When might it be advisable to hire a professional cleaner? What questions should consumers ask professionals to ensure they understand Sunbrella-specific cleaning needs?
- We recommend customers seek professional cleaning services when dealing with fully upholstered furniture pieces or awnings/canopies. IICRC-certified professionals will have the appropriate knowledge and cleaning equipment to service these pieces safely and successfully.
- Customers should ask cleaning professionals if they are experienced and familiar with Sunbrella Fabrics. They will need to know that Sunbrella Fabrics are bleach-cleanable, which is required to successfully remove mold, mildew, and natural or synthetic color stains like dye transfer or berry juice. We recommend having a copy of our Care and Cleaning Guide on hand to share with the cleaning team.
Written By
Kelsey D. Fox
