How to Clean Your Patio Umbrella

The canopy of your patio umbrella can be cleaned with a mild detergent and lukewarm water, while the pole will need to be coated with a protective sealant or rust-neutralizing primer. Keep in mind, some materials stain more easily than others so it helps to know what your umbrella is made from before getting started.

About the Canopy

Patio umbrella canopies are commonly made from: Sunbrella, Polyester, Olefin, Acrylic and Thatch. No matter what the material, these are the steps for cleaning a patio umbrella's canopy:

Step 1
Mix ¼ cup of mild detergent with lukewarm water. Make sure the detergent doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals as these are damaging to your patio umbrella.

Step 2
Dip in a small bristled brush and use it to scrub away any stains. Don’t use too much water or soap or you run the risk of staining the canopy.

Step 3
If you see any mildew, dilute a ¼ cup of bleach in your water and gently scrub the area. Please note that sunspotting or fading may occur if you use too much bleach, so test a small spot first.

Step 4
Once your canopy is completely cleaned, cover it in a protective fabric guard spray. These are available online or at most grocery and department stores.

Step 5
Dry your canopy using the last few rays of the summer sun!

Now that the canopy is clean, the next step is to tackle the pole or shaft. This is slightly less time-consuming to clean, but just as important.

 

About the Pole

Patio umbrella poles or shafts are made from:Wood, Metal, Plastic. Before you store your umbrella away, be sure to cover the pole with some kind of protective sealant.

For wood, use Sealant or Finish.
For metal, use Car Wax or Neutralizing Primer.
For Plastic, use Polish & Sealer.