Spending time outdoors in summer can be a challenge. On the one hand, the weather is finally warm enough to go outside. But on the other hand, we know that prolonged exposure to the sun is bad for our skin. While we may remember to take all the proper precautions—sunscreen, hats, carry plenty of water—we may pay less attention to the sun when we leave the house when we’re in our own backyard.
This is where umbrellas come in handy. Even if you don’t have a tree big enough to provide decent shade, you will always have some shade.
But because these umbrellas live outdoors, they can get very dirty, picking up everything from leaves and lawn debris to bird droppings and sap. Even if you keep it indoors all winter and take it outside for the first time this season, it can still be dusty. Here’s how to clean an outdoor umbrella to keep it looking good all summer long.
The amount of work required to clean an outdoor umbrella depends largely on the material it is made from: cotton is the most maintenance-friendly, followed by polyester, and finally Sunbrella, a durable, high performance acrylic fabric used in many of the new designs. Regardless of the material, it’s a good idea to read the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before you start, just in case your umbrella needs special care.
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All in all, here’s how to clean an outdoor umbrella, courtesy of the experts at Consumer Reports:
Start with a soft brush to remove any debris such as dirt, leaves and branches from the canopy (fabric part). It is recommended to do this regularly so that dust and other debris do not eat into the fabric and stick to it after rain.
Check the label on your umbrella to see if it is machine washable, and if so, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you know you can put it in the washing machine but can’t find specific instructions, wash it in cold water with your regular detergent and the machine’s waterproof fabric setting (if available). If not, choose the normal setting.
Canopies that cannot be machine washed (and/or cannot be removed from the frame) can be cleaned with a solution of ¼ cup mild laundry detergent (such as Woolite) mixed with one gallon of warm water. Gently rub it into the dome in a circular motion with a soft brush, leave for 15 minutes (using a cleaning solution), then rinse with a hose or bucket of clean water.
No matter how you wash the fabric of the umbrella, it should be dried outside – preferably in a sunny place with a wind.
Your umbrella stands can also get dirty. Wipe the aluminum rod with a damp cloth using a mixture of warm water and dishwashing detergent to remove any sticky stains or stuck-on stains. You can use the same solution to clean wooden rods from umbrellas, but you’ll need a brush instead of a rag.
Post time: Dec-03-2022
