How to Clean Sunbrella Fabric on Your Backyard Furniture

Sunbrella fabric is a popular fiber from DuPont that’s designed to resist fading and water damage. However, it can also become dirty when oils or dirt are transferred onto the material. Here are some tips for cleaning your Sunbrella fabrics in minutes.

Sunbrella fabric is a popular outdoor fabric that has been around for years. It’s made from polyester and nylon, which makes it durable, but also stains easily. The best cleaner for sunbrella fabric is one that can kill mold spores without harming the material itself. Read more in detail here: what is the best cleaner for sunbrella fabric.

How can I know whether my fabric is Sunbrella?

Sunbrella is a brand name, so if you have it, you can usually find it on the label or the box it came in. Sunbrella is a popular outdoor patio furniture cloth.

It’s composed of acrylic, which is quite durable and retains its color well over time. Sunbrella is resistant to moisture and stains in most situations, so even when it becomes filthy, it’s simpler to clean than it seems. (The technique is roughly the same whether you have Sunbrella inside your house or on your boat or other watercraft.)

However, like with so many things, the longer you leave an issue unattended, the more difficult it becomes to solve. The day you first detect stains or other discolorations is the ideal time to address them.

You shouldn’t have to stop your family time or a social gathering to worry about a dropped olive, but you also shouldn’t wait until winter to bring everything inside.

If you deal with problems when they arise, you’ll spend less time and energy cleaning Sunbrella cloth in the long term.

Sunbrella Fabric Cleaning Instructions

Don’t be alarmed if your Sunbrella fabric becomes soiled, discolored, or spilt on. First, try the simplest options. When dealing with dry messes, carefully brush off any dirt or debris before it settles or works its way into the fabric.

Look for nooks or curves where particles might hide. There’s no need to go overboard; the idea is to avoid letting dirt sit for any longer than is absolutely necessary.

Avoid rubbing it into the fabric while trying to wipe it off. If it doesn’t come off relatively easily, skip down to the instructions for Getting Rid of Sticky Stains below.

A soft absorbent cloth can readily manage many liquid accidents. Blot, rather than wiping, as you would with most carpets or textiles in your home.

If it doesn’t work, try a basic solution of water and liquid dishwashing detergent, which you presumably already have in your kitchen.

Apply it to the stain and massage the cloth with a soft bristle brush in a circular motion. The cleaning will be done by the motion, not the pressure.

You’re not attempting to sand the seat cushions down; if gentle pressure doesn’t work, try the next method.

Here’s a hint: don’t simply clean the area surrounding the stain. Treat the whole cushion if the spill occurred on a seat cushion, for example. It’s not that huge and won’t take long, yet cleaning the whole cushion decreases the risks of water rings or discoloration over time.

If your furniture sees a lot of usage, you want any slight wear that shows up over time to be as uniform as possible. After all, there’s no harm in giving your cushions a quick cleaning now and again, even if you haven’t spilled a drink or someone’s food on them!

When finished, lightly rinse with water and dab excess moisture with dry cloths. Check to see whether the detergent mixture has been thoroughly washed away.

If a few soap bubbles remain after washing or patting dry, continue the rinsing procedure. Allow the surface to air dry until it seems clean and clear of detergent, and you’ve wiped away any excess.

Getting Rid of Sticky Stains

If the stain is very tenacious, a little quantity of bleach may be added to the mixture, although this is seldom required. Make sure there are no additional directions for your patio furniture or whatever your Sunbrella is covering on the label.

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Just because you don’t want stains to set for any longer than necessary doesn’t mean you should rush and do anything risky.

If oil-based stains appear on your patio furniture, use an absorbent such as corn starch to the stain. Allow ten to fifteen minutes for it to soak in, then gently scrape it off with a ruler or other straight edge.

(Of course, you shouldn’t use anything that’s meant to cut or slice.) Then, using the procedures above, clean until the stain is gone.

Sunbrella Fabric Cleaning Instructions With Mold Or Mildew

Mold and mildew resistance is built into Sunbrella textiles. However, nature has a way of expressing itself, and you may find evidence of mold or mildew on your patio furniture in certain temperatures and settings.

Because we reside in Florida, everything in our backyard appears to acquire mold or mildew due to the constant moisture. Decking, fences, patio furniture coverings, and even our furniture cushions are some of the materials we use.

Typically, this happens because the mold or mildew has gotten onto another item, which has then gotten into your patio furniture. That’s OK; it’ll be simple to delete either way.

To begin, obtain a clean bucket and fill it with a gallon of fresh water (any temperature would do). Bring the same soft bristle brush you’ve been using to clean your patio furniture.

If you don’t have a brush, a sponge or a clean cloth would suffice.) A clean, empty spray bottle and some protective home rubber gloves are also required.

Pour in one cup of bleach and a quarter cup of the mild dishwashing detergent we spoke about before. Lightly whisk the ingredients together.

Fill the spray bottle halfway with the mixture and squirt it all over the area. Don’t merely attempt to mask the mold or mildew. Get the whole cushion if it’s on a seat cushion. Spray the whole area if it’s anything bigger.

Allow for a fifteen-minute soak time. Before you begin brushing, let it to work its way into the cloth.

Put on your gloves and use your soft bristle brush to clean the area (or sponge, or towel). Keep in mind that you’re not attempting to go through the furniture; instead, you’re agitating the material to assist the ugly things come out.

You’re definitely pushing yourself too hard if you think of what you’re doing as “scrubbing.” Consider it similar to exfoliating your skin or washing your pet. You want it to be as clean as possible, not stripped for priming.

Rinse well and let air dry. If possible, keep this portion out of direct sunlight. Your Sunbrella fabric should ideally be allowed to dry completely but gradually.

Alternative Cleaning Methods

If you’re in doubt, go back to that tag. Special instructions are generally readily available there.

If your Sunbrella fabric is detachable, you may be able to wash it on the gentle cycle. Use an usual quantity of mild washing detergent and wash on cold.

Mold and mildew may be removed with a modest amount of bleach. Sunbrella should not be dried. Allow it to air dry, exactly as if you had cleaned it by hand.

Sunbrella can be cleaned by certain professional cleaners in your area, but don’t count on it. Inquire about their previous expertise with the topic and how they would approach it. However, in most cases, this shouldn’t be required.

Finally, commercial products that perform well with Sunbrella are available. Sunbrella suggests 303® Multi-Surface Cleaner, Dawn®, or Resolve® as safe and effective alternatives if the preceding treatments don’t appear to be working.

Conclusion

Sunbrella fabric maintenance should be rather simple and easy most of the time, providing you plenty of time to enjoy your backyard doing the things you like. Don’t forget to take a break along the route and relax with your family, friends, or a nice beverage and a good book. Check out our finest teak sealers if you want to preserve your teak furniture in tip-top form.

Then keep doing the tiny things that improve the appearance and feel of your backyard. They pile up faster than you would expect. We also offer some additional cleaning suggestions, such as how to clean a concrete patio or pressure wash a deck.

Sunbrella is a fabric that is typically used for outdoor furniture, so it can be difficult to clean. You can use oxiclean on sunbrella fabric, but you should not use bleach or other harsh chemicals. Reference: can you use oxiclean on sunbrella fabric.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you clean Sunbrella outdoor furniture?

A: Sunbrella furniture is made from a durable fabric that can withstand harsh conditions, so its not typically recommended for indoor use. However the best way to clean Sunbrella outdoor furniture is with mild soap and water to remove dirt and debris. You should never use abrasive cleaners or detergents on any material like this as they could damage the fabric over time.

How do you clean Sunbrella fabric?

A: Sunbrella fabrics are typically found on outdoor furniture, such as loungers. To clean these pieces of fabric, you should use a mild soap or detergent and rinse with water. You could also gently brush the fabric to remove dirt and debris before cleaning it by hand.

Can I use vinegar on Sunbrella fabric?

A: Vinegar is safe to use on Sunbrella fabric as long as its diluted and not in a concentrated form.

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