Sunbrella is a solution-dyed synthetic fabric made of acrylic that can be used inside or outside.
Since the cloth is typically used to create outdoor patio furniture, it must always be clean and in good condition.
The easiest way to clean and maintain Sunbrella fabrics is to brush off dirt before it gets caught in the fabric and to mop up spills as soon as possible. If spills and stains are cleaned up quickly, they are frequently simpler to remove.
Some Sunbrella Fabric Care Tips You Can Follow
You can follow any of the care tips and instructions to clean and maintain your sunbrella fabric. This ensures long-lasting use in interior and exterior upholstery and furniture use. Some of these tips include:
- Wipe dirt off your Sunbrella fabric with a soft bristle brush. You can use a soapy water cleanser on the fabric and a sponge or mild hand-washing soap to remove the dirt. If possible, you can do this weekly.
- You may use an added cleaning solution to remove tough stains.
- If you notice the stain doesn’t seem to go away, use an extra cleansing agent to remove the particular stain, such as mildew.
- Rinse and dry the fabric by spraying it with clean water or pouring water over the fabric until the cleaning solution or soap has been completely washed off.
- Leave it to air-dry(don’t place the fabric directly under the sunlight). Or you can gently dry it by blotting it with a dry towel. Please do not rub it aggressively.
Sunbrella fabric should be handled gently. Cleaning the cloth shouldn’t include scrubbing or tugging at the fibers.
When cleaning Sunbrella, a soft bristles brush is recommended over a hard one to avoid damaging the fabric.
Different Ways to Clean Sunbrella Fabric
Sunbrella is a popular choice for outdoor furniture due to its durability and water resistance. If you notice that it has picked up dirt, it should be cleaned as soon as possible.
Dealing With Stains And Mildew
- When you’re done cleaning, put together the Sunbrella fabric by gathering all of the individual pieces.
- Run it through the laundry using cold water and a gentle detergent.
- Just hang them up somewhere outside to dry.
Create a bleach mixture to treat the mildew
- Add 1 cup of bleach and 60 ml of mild dish soap to 1 gallon of water in a large mixing bucket. After the ingredients have been combined, pour them into a spray bottle and give them a good stir.
- Spray the mixture on the Sunbrella fabric and let it soak for about 15 minutes.
- You can clean the mildew with a soft bristle brush and spray the fabric with water to rinse the cleansing solution.
Create a typical soap and water solution
This solution can remove basic stains like chocolate, raw egg, ketchup, soda, etc.
- Mix ¼ cup or 60 ml of mild dishwashing liquid with a gallon of water.
- Then, stir, put in a spray bottle, and spray the mixture over the stain.
- Afterward, use a soft bristle brush to rub the solution into the stain and rinse it with water.
Getting Rid Of Stubborn Stains
Removing Wine Stains
- First, spray the stain with clean water, so it becomes saturated, then spray it with soapy water.
- Spraying clean water on the fabric and cleaning it with a gentle bristle brush can remove the soap residue.
- Simply wipe the stain with a dry towel and let it air dry to get rid of it.
- For deeper cleaning, you should first vacuum the stained area with a wet vacuum.
Removing Blood Stains
- To remove blood stains, spray the stain with soapy water to remove some of the stains.
- Then, mix ¼ of dishwashing liquid, ½ cup of ammonia, and a gallon of water.
- After mixing the solution, spray the cleansing mixture on the stain and rub it with a bristle brush. Then rinse off with water.
Removing Strong-Smelling Stains
- Make a soapy vinegar solution by mixing ¼ cup of dishwashing liquid with ⅓ cup of white vinegar and a gallon of water.
- You should then spray the solution onto the soiled area and scrub it with a bristle brush. Then, clean it with water.
This solution can remove stains like urine, food coloring, vomit, etc.
For Oil-Based Stains
Solutions for oil stains can remove tomato juice, paint, salad dressing, etc.
- Sprinkle cornstarch over the oily stain so it can absorb excess oil.
- Scrape off extra cornstarch with a ruler, and spray soapy water on the stain.
- Rub the mixture using a soft bristle brush, then rinse it with clean water.
Can I Clean Sunbrella Fabric with Vinegar?
Vinegar (white) is a natural stain remover that may be used on many different types of upholstery, especially Sunbrella fabric on outdoor furniture.
- Blend 60 ml of dish soap, 75 ml of white vinegar, and a gallon of water.
- Spray the solution on the stained area using a spray bottle.
- Rub it with a sponge, and rinse off the residue with clean water.
This mixture helps to get rid of smelly stains like urine.
- Alternatively, you can start by blotting the stain with an equal mixture of water and vinegar solution.
- Then, wipe the stain away gently with a clean cloth.
- Use mild laundry detergent and warm water to eliminate the lingering vinegar smell.
- Allow it to air dry.
It is advisable always to treat any stains immediately after they happen, ensuring that no further damage is done to the fabric.
Can you Dry Clean Sunbrella Fabric?
Upholstery fabrics are made with different fibers and methods. Some may be suitable for machine washing and drying, while others may not.
The Sunbrella fabric is one of those fabrics on that list that cannot and should not be dry cleaned.
You can clean the Sunbrella fabric without dry cleaning it. If you subject the fabric to excessive heat, it will shrink, so it is advisable to always air dry the fabrics after washing.
Sunbrella fabrics are woven, which means they are highly breathable, allowing them to dry quickly once exposed.
Depending on the kind of furniture, Sunbrella fabric can be removable or non-removable. If they have removable covers, put them in a washing machine, bring them out, and let them air dry.
If you dry clean the fabric, it could cause the Sunbrella fabric to fade or shrink. Instead, drip-dry it in the shade, away from direct sunlight, since the sun bleaches some fabrics.