Caring for Sunbrella

A guide to the care and cleaning of your Sunbrella outdoor fabric.

General or Light Cleaning

1. Brush off any loose dirt.
2. Prepare a cleaning solution of ¼ cup mild soap, such as dishwashing liquid, per 4 litres of lukewarm water.
3. Use a sponge or a soft bristle brush to clean.
4. Allow the cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
5. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
6. Allow the fabric to air dry.

Spot Cleaning

1. Apply a light mist of mild soap and water using a spray bottle.
2. Work the solution into the stain by lightly scrubbing the area with a sponge or very soft bristle brush.
3. For oil-based stains, an absorbent such as corn starch can be applied directly to the stain for around 10 minutes, then the excess removed using a straight edge. This aids in stain removal and prevents it from being pressed further into the fabric.
4. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
5. Blot excess moisture with a clean, soft towel or sponge.
6. Wet-vacuum or blot excess water.
7. Air dry, repeating steps 3 and 4 until all soap residue is removed.

Note: seam-to-seam cleaning in combination with an extractor may be required to avoid water rings or stains.

For Removable Sunbrella Fabric

Hand Washing

1. Soak the fabric in a solution of ¼ cup mild soap per 4 litres of lukewarm water.
2. Use a sponge or a soft bristle brush as necessary.
3. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
4. Air dry.

Machine Washing

Machine wash in cold water. Depending on wash load size, use normal amounts of mild laundry detergent and add 1 cup of bleach. Allow the fabric to air dry. Be sure any zippered casings are closed prior to machine washing.

Heavy Cleaning for Stubborn or Set-In Stains and Mildew

Sunbrella fabrics do not promote mildew growth, however mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric.

To clean stubborn stains

1. Prepare a solution of 1 cup of bleach and ¼ cup mild soap per 4 litres of water.
2. Spray on the entire area and allow to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes.
3. Blot stubborn or set-in stains with a sponge, clean towel or very soft bristle brush.
4. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
5. Allow the fabric to air dry.
6. For severe mould or mildew growth, bleach quantities may be increased. See the stain chart below for removal of specific stains.

View the Sunbrella fabric stain chart here — noting that 1 gallon is around 3.8 litres.

Re-treating the Fabric for Ease of Cleaning

As part of the finishing process, Sunbrella fabrics are treated with a fluorocarbon finish, which enhances water repellency. This finish is designed to last for several years, but must be replenished after a thorough cleaning. Based on test results, Sunbrella's manufacturer, Glen Raven®, recommends a product called 303® Fabric Guard™ as the preferred re-treatment product. Fabrics should be re-treated after thorough cleaning or as needed.

Applying 303 Fabric Guard

303 should be applied to Sunbrella fabrics after each thorough cleaning, which typically removes the original finish and reduces the fabric's water repellency.

1. Clean the Sunbrella fabric using one of the cleaning methods above.
2. Allow the Sunbrella fabric to completely air dry.
3. Apply 303 Fabric Guard in a well-ventilated area, following the instructions on the container.
4. Apply 303 in a thin, even coat and allow the fabric to dry completely.
5. Apply a second thin, even coating of 303 — two light coatings are more effective at restoring water resistance than a single heavy coating.

Helpful Hints

Protect the area around your Sunbrella fabric when using a bleach solution, as bleach may discolour non-Sunbrella fabrics. Always rinse Sunbrella thoroughly to completely remove bleach. Please be aware of the environment when cleaning with bleach — it can have harmful effects on the natural environment around you. We do not advise using bleach if you are surrounded by a body of water or other environment that could be affected.

Sunbrella should only be allowed to air dry. If the fabric has some wrinkling, an iron can be used if necessary, but only on the synthetic setting. As some irons exceed the recommended temperature on the synthetic setting, test a small inconspicuous area before ironing the entire piece.

This guide is adapted from Sunbrella's official care documentation at sunbrella.com. If you have any further questions, please contact your local store on 1300 660 330.

Frequently Asked Questions