Outdoor umbrellas extend the living space of a property, give you the chance to shade a sunny spot on your patio or deck and even provide shade on a beach. Patio umbrellas are exposed to the elements, sun, wind, rain, dust, air pollution, tree sap and bird poop.
The problem with patio umbrellas is that over time they start to look shoddy and in need of a good cleaning. The key to keeping your umbrella looking great is to clean it regularly throughout the sunny season and especially before you slip on the cover or store it away during the colder months.
Patio umbrellas can be made from canvas, solid vinyl, or vinyl mesh. Most umbrellas offered for home use are made from treated acrylic fabrics (like Sunbrella) that help repel moisture, stains, and mildew.
Unfortunately, even the best fabrics get covered with airborne soil, touched with sunscreen-coated hands, and bombed by birds. These particles embed themselves in the fibers causing unsightly stains that can even mildew when exposed to moisture.
If you want to extend the life of your patio umbrella it is important that you clean it regularly. I’ve decided to do some research on how to clean your outdoor umbrella. You now have at your fingertips a comprehensive guide on how to clean a patio umbrella.
Cleaning your umbrella monthly should do the trick or do it more regularly in extreme conditions like you have lots of trees nearby, construction works going on or anything else which might cause extra dirt to build up.
How to clean a patio umbrella in easy steps
With this guide, you can teach yourself how to clean a patio umbrella in easy steps like a pro and get the best out of your patio umbrella.
Step 1: Check if the canopy is removable.
How do you clean an umbrella fabric? Since cleaning is a necessity most manufacturers of umbrellas make regular maintenance as easy as possible with detachable canopies. Check to see if your umbrella canopy is fixed to the staff or detachable from the frame.
If you can detach the canopy from the staff and frame, detach it. With detachable canopy, you can spread it out over a protective surface like a blanket or tarp to make sure you do not damage it before moving to the next step.
If the canopy is attached then let it stay, the cleaning process will be a little different with the canopy attached. It would be a great idea to move the umbrella into a shaded area on your property so that you do not have to work in the hot sun.
With that being said It is now time to get ready for some good old fashion cleaning work.
Step 2: Vacuum of the excess dirt.
As the canopy can be made of different types of material the cleaning process may be a bit different.
If the canopy is made of fabric to process is quite simple, you can wash it in your washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water and a little mild detergent. Do not put in the dryer to dry as the canopy could be damaged. Always follow the manufacture’s guidelines.
If it is made of vinyl the cleaning process may be a bit more straightforward because you will not be able to put it in the washing machine. With vinyl, you have to put in some elbow grease (hard work).
Whether the canopy is removable or not, the first step in the cleaning process is to use a vacuum and vacuum of the excess dirt and particulate off. It just makes cleaning less rigorous.
Don’t have a vacuum to remove the excess dirt, you can use a soft bristle brush to remove any loose dirt and fine debris. A hard bristle brush would damage the material.
Step 3 How to clean a patio umbrella: Cleaning the Canopy
Now it is time to really begin cleaning. For fabric canopies, it can be washed in a washing machine. If it is heavily soiled consider using a power washer to do the heavy lifting and get rid of some of the embedded dirt.
You can also soak the heavily soiled canopy in soapy water for about 20 minutes to loosen the dirt before spraying your umbrella down with your outdoor hose or pressure washer. Use mild soap or laundry detergents in the water to clean your canopy. This is the easiest and fastest way to loosen stubborn dust, dirt and grime.
When scrubbing with the mild, warm, soapy water and a soft-bristle brush, scrub the canopy section by section, a bit at a time. Go a little longer on the stained spots, the places where the birds let their droppings fall. I know, hard work but a little extra elbow grease never hurt anyone.
When you’re done, spray your umbrella down again with the hose or pressure washer to rinse off the soapy residue. If soap residue is left in the material is will stain, stain from soap residue will make the fabric of your canopy look tatty.
After the canopy is washed and rinsed put it to dry. This can be done easily by replacing it on the frame and let it air dry. Alternatively, you can hang in on the clothesline.
One precaution, do not place the umbrella fabric in the dryer. Unless you do want to destroy it. Again, let it air dry – either back on the umbrella frame by reattaching it (if it is the removable type) or hang it on a clothesline.
What if it looked wrinkly after drying? In case your umbrella canopy becomes extra wrinkly after washing in the washing machine, you can iron out the wrinkles. However, make sure the iron is on a low-heat setting to avoid burning or scorching the fabric. You do not want to damage it at this time.
How to mix the soapy solution to clean the canopy?
Get a five-gallon buckle and mix 1/4 cup liquid laundry detergent per gallon of lukewarm water in the bucket. Use a good quality soap with enzymes to break apart stubborn dirt and stain, Tide or Persil are good contenders.
If you need to get rid of mildew the same process would apply but you may have to soak the fabric in the soapy water for an extra twenty minutes to really loosen up the mildew.
Step 4 How to clean a patio umbrella: Cleaning the umbrella’s frame
The frames of the patio umbrella can be made of different materials. The most common of which are wood or aluminum frame. I shared here exactly how the clean both. I got you covered, no problem.
> How to clean a patio umbrella Aluminum frame?
Use a mixture of dish soap and water along with a soft towel to clean the umbrella frame. Two teaspoons dishwashing liquid and two cups warm water are enough to make the soap solution. After the dirt is loosened rinse away with clean water.
Since you do not want any soap marks, dry the aluminum frame with a soft clean cloth. Never use any harsh materials or liquids such as bleach to clean your umbrella frame, as the finish will easily be damaged.
If your aluminum frame has water spots on it, wipe it with a soft cloth lightly damped in a solution made with a mix of nine parts water and one part distilled vinegar. Follow that process up with a rinse using clean clear water. Afterwards, dry with a clean towel.
> How to clean a patio umbrella wooden frame?
Most umbrella frames are made of aluminum, however, if yours are made of wood the cleading process is also straight forward. Before I go any further, it is important for me to impress upon you the importance of following the manufacturers’ guidelines for their respective products.
In cleaning the wood staff, use a mixture of two teaspoons of mild dishwashing liquid and two cups warm water. Damp a soft cloth in this solution or a soft-bristled brush and wipe down the frame.
Wood may warp when soaked in water, therefore, you should try not to overwet the surface. After applying the solution, rinse it off by wiping down with a clean cloth dipped in clearwater and allow to air dry. Remember, water and wood are not friends, so do not soak the wood.
Step 5 Reassemble the canopy to the frame
Reassemble the patio umbrella by re-attaching your canopy to the umbrella base, reposition it in the base and enjoy your shaded patio once again.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you learnt how to clean a patio umbrella and will follow the steps to keep your outdoor umbrella looking great and extending its lifespan. As outdoor umbrellas are exposed to rain, sun, dirt, debris and pollutants including bird droppings and tree sap, it’s important to clean it regularly. Brush off the dirt, debris, and cobwebs as often as you can.
P.s. Sustain the life of your patio umbrella by avoiding stains and not allowing mildew, sunscreen or oily leaves to allow to sit on the canopy for long periods of time.
P.p.s. When your canopy is not in use (during the offseason) store it away under its cover. Also, protect it from moisture.
P.p.p.s. If you are storing your umbrella after use, please ensure it is completely dry to avoid mildew growth.
P.p.p.p.s. Hope you found this information useful on how do you clean a dirty patio umbrella? You can now visit the main patio umbrellas page on diyhomeguru.com or buy one of the recommended patio umbrellas. It would definitely help out the site.
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