Sunbrella Upholstery Fabrics Upholstery Care and Cleaning
- June 8, 2024
- Sunbrella
Table of Contents
Sunbrella Upholstery Fabrics Upholstery Care and Cleaning
Upholstery Care and Cleaning
One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella® fabrics looking good is to brush off dirt before it becomes embedded in the fabrics and wipe up spills or clean soon after a stain occurs. The quicker you clean spills and stains, the easier they can be to remove.
Try this first…
With a new spill or stain on your Sunbrella fabric.
- Blot (don’t rub) liquid spills with a clean, dry cloth. For oil-based spills, apply an absorbent such as corn starch, then remove with a straight edge.
- Spray on a mild cleaning solution of soap (such as Dawn or Woolite) and water.
- Rinse the fabric thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Air dry.
Try this next…
If your first try doesn’t get the stain completely out.
Though Sunbrella fabrics can be used both outdoors and in, your cleaning methods should differ slightly indoors and out because of the fabrication and manufacturing of the furniture. We recommend using the appropriate cleaning instructions for your application.
Outdoor Upholstery
Cleaning Removable Fabric
Hand Washing
Soak fabric in a solution of ¼ cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Use
a sponge or very soft bristle brush to lightly agitate the stain. Then rinse
thoroughly to remove all soap residue, and allow fabric to air dry.
Machine washing
Some removable casings can be washed in the washing machine, however consult
the furniture manufacturer before removing the casing as cushion construction
may vary. To wash, first close all zippers. Machine wash in cold water on the
delicate cycle with normal amounts of mild laundry detergent. For severe mold
or mildew, add 1 cup of bleach. Allow fabric to air dry.
Cleaning Non-Removable Fabric
Prepare a solution of ¼ cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Use a soft
bristle brush to clean, allowing the cleaning solution to soak into the
fabric. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue and allow fabric to air
dry.
Mold and mildew stains
Sunbrella fabrics do not promote mildew growth, however, mildew may grow on
dirt and other foreign substances if not removed from the fabric. To remove
mold or mildew:
- Prepare a solution of 1 cup of bleach and ¼ cup mild soap per gallon of water.
- Spray on entire area and allow to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes.
- Clean entire surface area with a sponge, clean towel or very soft bristle brush.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Air dry.
For severe mold/mildew growth, bleach quantities may be increased.
It is best to clean the entire surface area of the fabric to avoid water rings
and stains.
For other stains, products such as Dawn,
Resolve® or 303® Spot Cleaner are applicable. Specific information on stain
cleaning is available at
www.sunbrella.com/stainchart
Indoor Upholstery
- Apply a light mist of mild soap and water using a spray bottle.
- Work the solution into the stain by lightly agitating the entire surface area of the fabric, moving from seam to seam, with a sponge or very soft bristle brush. Avoid scrubbing, and do not use a hard bristled brush or anything that will abrade the fabric.
- Rinse the entire fabric thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Blot excess moisture with a clean, soft towel or sponge.
- Blot or wet-vacuum excess water from the entire surface area of the fabric, moving from seam to seam.
- Air dry. Repeat rinsing and blotting until all soap residue is removed.
Professional Cleaners
Inquire about a firm’s experience working with Sunbrella fabrics and knowledge
of cleaning and re-treatment requirements.
Machine Washing
Some removable casings can be washed in the washing machine, however consult
the furniture manufacturer before removing the casing as cushion construction
may vary. To wash, first close all zippers. Machine wash in cold water on the
delicate cycle with normal amounts of mild laundry detergent. Allow fabric to
air dry.
Seam-To-Seam Cleaning
When cleaning upholstered pieces, clean the entire surface area of the fabric,
from seam to seam, instead of rubbing the fabric in a circular motion on the
stain. This method, along with an extractor, may be required in order to avoid
water rings and stains.
Oil-Based Stains
Immediately apply an absorbent such as corn starch directly on the oil-based
stain. Let sit for 10 minutes and remove the excess using a straight edge or
ruler. This helps remove the stain and prevents it from being pressed into the
fabric. Then proceed with the cleaning process.
For other stains, products such as Dawn, Resolve® or 303® Spot Cleaner are applicable. Specific information on stain cleaning is available at www.sunbrella.com/stainchart
Retreating Sunbrella Fabrics
Sunbrella fabrics are treated with a proprietary water and stain repellent finish that is designed to last for several years, but may require replenishing after a thorough cleaning. Glen Raven® recommends 303® Fabric Guard™, available in the United States, and Tex’Aktiv, available internationally.
Applying a retreatment:
- Clean Sunbrella fabric, using one of the cleaning methods.
- Allow Sunbrella to completely air dry.
- Apply retreatment in a well-ventilated area following instructions on the container.
Helpful Hints
Avoid scrubbing, hard bristle brushes or any other abrasive cleaning method. Sunbrella should only be allowed to air dry.
Protect the area around your Sunbrella fabric when using bleach or other chemical solvents that may discolor non-Sunbrella fabrics. Always rinse Sunbrella thoroughly.
Bleach can have harmful effects on the natural environment around you. Please follow all safety and environmental precautions according to the bleach label.
If fabric has some wrinkling, use an iron on the synthetic setting. As iron temperatures may vary, first test a small inconspicuous area before ironing the entire piece.
DO NOT use a steamer or an iron set to the steam setting.
SUNBRELLA® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF GLEN RAVEN, INC.
Read More About This Manual & Download PDF:
Sunbrella Upholstery Fabrics Upholstery Care and Cleaning – Original PDF
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