how to clean sunbrella fabric

Wine, Coffee, Sunscreen, oh my!!! Sunbrella fabric cushions for your outdoor patio furniture are probably the most popular premium fabric used in BC. Often used for high quality backyard patio furniture, or many marine applications... knowing how to clean stains out of Sunbrella cushions is going to be important for you!

Cleaning Sunbrella fabric, try this first:

So, you're curious as to how to clean your new Sunbrella cushions- whether you are in dire need of this "How-to," or you're reading this as a precaution, we will be going over fresh spills of wine, sunscreen, coffee, and more!

Sunbrella fabric cushions Word of Mouth Floors outdoor patio furniture

Before spills and stains occur, ensure that you are frequently brushing off excess dirt and debris, and wiping up fresh spills, to ensure that your new Sunbrella cushions don't become embedded with dirt to make the cleaning process easier.

SUNBRELLA Outdoor Cushions are fabulous against spills:

When a spill occurs, ensure that you use a clean, dry cloth (as soon as possible) and blot the area- DON'T RUB! If the spill is oil based, apply an absorbent such as corn starch and remove with a straight edge right away to ensure it does not soak into the fabric. Make sure to leave the absorbent until all the moisture has been removed.

Sunbrella fabric cushions Word of Mouth Floors outdoor patio furniture

The next step we recommend if a spill occurs on you Sunbrella cushions is to apply a mild cleaning solution of soap (Dawn/Dawn Power Wash or Woolite are great options) and dilute with water. Ensure that you rinse the cushions thoroughly with water to remove any soap residue.

Lastly, make sure to air dry your cushions completely.

CLEANING REMOVABLE FABRIC:

Hand washing is often the best option (depending on the fabric) when cleaning your Sunbrella cushions. Soak the fabric from your cushions in a solution of ¼ cup of mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Then, use a sponge or soft bristle brush to gently agitate fabric from seam-to-seam. Seam-to-seam cleaning ensures there are no water rings and residue after cleaning. Lastly, rinse the fabric to remove any soap residue and let air dry completely.

Some casings may be fine to machine wash, but always do your research by consulting with the manufacturer to be safe. The first step to machine washing is to zip all zippers, then machine wash in cold water on a delicate cycle with mild laundry soap. If there is any mildew buildup, ensure to add a cup of bleach to the machine as well. Lastly, let the fabric air dry completely.

CLEANING NON-REMOVABLE FABRIC:

To clean non-removable fabric, you will need mild soap, water, and a soft bristle brush. Begin with a mixture of ¼ cup of soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Then, using the soft bristle brush, work the solution into the fabric and gently scrub the fabric from seam-to-seam. Rinse with water to remove all soap residue. Let the fabric air dry completely.

SUNBRELLA vs MOLD AND MILDEW:

Our Sunbrella cushions do not promote mold or mildew buildup. However, if not wiped frequently, dirt and debris on the cushions may begin to promote mold growth and mildew buildup.

To remove mold and mildew, you will need a solution of 1 cup bleach and ¼ cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Next, spray the mixture on the entire surface of the cushion and allow to sit on the fabric for 15 minutes. After letting sit, you can either use a sponge, clean towel, or a very soft bristle brush to agitate the area, again, from seam-to-seam. Lastly, rinse your cushion to remove soap residue and allow to air dry completely. In more severe cases, the amount of bleach you should use can increase.

Our suggestion, however, is simply to remove any debris that may cause mold or mildew frequently to avoid the issue entirely!

SUNBRELLA SPILL SPECIFIC CLEANING GUIDE:

Wine:

We get it, after a long day of work, we also want to sit our patio furniture and sip a glass of red wine- in fact, we encourage it! However, a spill may not be best for your Sunbrella cushions.

Start the cleaning process by spraying the affected area with water. Next, spray with a mixture of mild soap and lukewarm water. Then, agitate and work in the soap solution with a soft bristle brush, then rinse the area with water to remove soap residue. Lastly, pat dry and allow to air dry. More persistent stains may require a wet vacuum or a stronger solution: 1/3 cup of white vinegar, 1 cup of isopropyl alcohol, and 1 gallon of water.

SUNBRELLA Fabric vs Sunscreen:

I'm sure many of us have kids, and I know you spend far too much time begging them to put o sunscreen before they head into the pool or into the sun, just for them to get it on your Sunbrella cushions. Well, worry not, we have the solution for you!

Begin by scraping the excess sunscreen off with a spoon. Next, spay the affected area with a mixture of mild soap and lukewarm water and begin to agitate with a soft bristle brush from seam to seam. Lastly, rinse with water to remove any soap residue. If you find that soap didn't do the trick, try using a strong degreaser. Lastly, pat dry and continue with your warm, sunny day outside.

Coffee:

Also works for bird droppings, ketchup/mustard, cola, raw egg, grape juice, milk and tea.

Oh yeah, we can see it now- you're having a great morning, the birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and you're sitting out on your patio with a fresh cup of coffee in hand. Then, suddenly, the cup slips out of your hand and the coffee lands on your Sunbrella cushions, and just like that your morning, and your cushion, is ruined. Or so you thought! Don't fret, here's how to clean up that pesky coffee stain!

Begin by rinsing the area with a mixture of mild soap and lukewarm water. For tougher stains, you can try a mixture of bleach and water. Then, agitate the area with a soft bristle brush until the stain is out, scrubbing from seam to seam. Next, rinse thoroughly with water to remove soap residue. Lastly, pat dry and then allow to air dry.

We hope that we have answered any of your concerns about how to wash your new Sunbrella fabric! For any other questions, or to learn more about purchasing patio furniture from Word of Mouth, contact us!

Phone: (604) 370-8769

Email: hello@wordofmouthfloors.com

Website: wordofmouthfloors.com