How to Clean Sunbrella® Fabric: A Simple Guide
Known for its durability, fade resistance and ease of maintenance, Sunbrella fabric is a top choice for marine, shade and upholstery applications. Proper cleaning is essential to ensure your Sunbrella fabrics last as long as possible (and look great at the same time). This guide will answer a common question, then teach you how to clean Sunbrella and re-treat it for water repellency. Finally, we’ll cover some general Sunbrella cleaning tips. Let’s get started!
Is Sunbrella Fabric Machine Washable?
We get this question a lot, and for good reason — it’s much quicker and more convenient to machine wash fabric than to wash it by hand! The answer is yes for some Sunbrella fabrics and no for others. You can machine wash Sunbrella upholstery fabrics, but not Sunbrella marine or awning fabrics. Here are instructions for how to wash Sunbrella upholstery in a machine:
- Remove the fabric cover from the upholstered piece. Close any zippers.
- Machine wash cold, delicate cycle, with mild laundry detergent.
- To remove mold and mildew, add 1 cup bleach and wash as stated in step 2.
- Allow the fabric to air dry. Never machine dry Sunbrella fabric.
Keep in mind that you can only machine wash Sunbrella fabric that can be removed from its upholstered piece. You must hand wash nonremovable fabric, and you have the option to hand wash removable fabric as well. We’ll cover hand washing Sunbrella upholstery next.
Cleaning Sunbrella Upholstery Fabric
Sunbrella upholstery fabrics are designed to withstand spills and stains. But when a spill happens, quick action is key to keeping the fabric looking new. Try this first:
- Remove the excess spill from the fabric:
a. Blot liquid spills with a clean, dry cloth. Do not rub at the spill.
b. Apply cornstarch or other absorbent material to oil-based spills. Let sit for 10 minutes, then remove the material with a straightedge. - Spray on a cleaning solution of 1/4 cup of mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Good soap options are Woolite® or Dawn dishwashing liquid.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap.
- Allow the fabric to air dry.
Clean up most spills with items you already have in your home! A towel absorbs liquid spills (left), while cornstarch picks up oil-based materials (right).
If there is a stain after you try the above method, your fabric may need a deeper clean. See how to clean indoor and outdoor upholstery fabric here:
Indoor Upholstery
- Prepare a cleaning solution of mild soap and water in a spray bottle.
- Lightly mist the fabric with the solution, then gently work it into the fabric with a sponge or soft brush. Move from seam to seam.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap.
- Blot the fabric with a clean, soft towel to absorb excess moisture. If needed, use a wet vacuum. Move from seam to seam.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 as needed until all soap is gone.
- Allow the fabric to air dry.
Outdoor Upholstery
- Prepare a cleaning solution of mild soap and water.
- Use a soft bristle brush to clean the fabric. Give the cleaning solution a few minutes to soak into the fabric.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap.
- Allow the fabric to air dry.
For mold or mildew, you can safely use a solution of 1 cup bleach and 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of water. Use a sponge, clean towel or very soft bristle brush, and follow the cleaning instructions above for your fabric type.
If you use Sunbrella outside or on your boat, keep reading to clean your shade and marine canvas items.
Cleaning Sunbrella Marine & Shade Fabric
Marine and shade fabrics, such as those used for boat tops, covers and awnings, are exposed to the elements and need regular care to prevent dirt and stains from setting in. In most cases, these fabrics only need thorough cleaning every two to three years, depending on the environment. Regular monthly rinsing can prevent the need for deep cleaning.
Use a bucket or a hose to rinse your outdoor Sunbrella items every month.
General Cleaning
When it’s time to give your fabric a light cleaning, follow these steps:
- Brush off loose dirt to prevent it from embedding in the fabric.
- Hose the fabric down with clean water. Do not use a pressure or power washer.
- Prepare a cleaning solution of mild soap and water.
- Use a soft bristle brush to clean the fabric. Give the cleaning solution a few minutes to soak into the fabric.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water until all soap is gone.
- Allow the fabric to air dry.
Removing Mildew & Stains
Sunbrella fabric itself is mildew resistant, but it’s possible for mildew to grow on dirt or other contaminants that are on the fabric’s surface. If you encounter mildew growth or other tough stains on your Sunbrella fabric, follow these steps:
- Prepare a cleaning solution of 1 cup bleach and 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of water.
- Soak the affected area of the fabric in the cleaner for 15 minutes.
- Use a sponge or clean towel to blot the stain or loosen it with a soft bristle brush.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap and bleach.
- Allow the fabric to air dry.
Renewing Water & Stain Repellency
Sunbrella fabrics have a special finish that makes them water and stain repellent. After a thorough cleaning, the fabric’s finish may need to be replenished. Glen Raven, the manufacturer of Sunbrella, recommends 303® Fabric Guard for restoring this protection.
Extend the life of your Sunbrella fabric by treating it with 303 Fabric Guard after every deep cleaning.
How to Apply 303 Fabric Guard
- Clean the fabric using one of the methods above.
- Allow the fabric to air dry completely after cleaning.
- Move the fabric to a well-ventilated area. Apply a thin, even coat of 303 Fabric Guard.
- Allow the first coat to dry completely. Then apply a second thin coat and allow to dry completely.
Two light coats of 303 Fabric Guard are more effective than one heavy coat. A 16-ounce bottle can cover 75-100 square feet of fabric, depending on the material and application method.
Helpful Cleaning Hints
Use these additional tips to get the best results when cleaning your Sunbrella fabric!
General Cleaning
- Sunbrella upholstery is the only Sunbrella fabric that can be machine washed. Do not machine wash Sunbrella marine or awning fabrics.
- Sunbrella should only be air dried. Do not machine dry any type of Sunbrella fabric (including upholstery).
- To prevent damage to the fabric, avoid scrubbing, hard bristle brushes, pressure/power washers and any other abrasive cleaning methods.
- If fabric has some wrinkling, use an iron on the synthetic setting. Iron temperatures may vary. Always test a small, inconspicuous area before ironing the entire piece. Do not use a steamer or an iron set to the steam setting.
Bleach Cleaning
Always protect yourself and the natural environment when cleaning with bleach.
- Protect the area around the Sunbrella fabric when using a bleach solution. Bleach may discolor non-Sunbrella fabrics, deteriorate sewing thread or cause other damage.
- Bleach 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 another environment that could be affected.
- For severe mold or mildew growth, bleach quantities may be increased.
- Always rinse fabric thoroughly to completely remove bleach.
- Always wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area when using a bleach solution.
Seam-to-Seam Cleaning
- Clean the entire surface area of an upholstered piece from seam to seam instead of concentrating only on the stain. This helps avoid water rings and discolorations.
- A wet vacuum or extractor may be required to fully remove water from the piece after seam-to-seam cleaning.
Conclusion
Caring for Sunbrella marine, shade and upholstery fabrics is simple and effective when you follow the right steps. Keep your Sunbrella fabrics clean, and they’ll continue to protect and enhance your spaces for years to come.
Do you have a favorite Sunbrella fabric care trick that this blog didn’t cover? If so, we want to hear about it! Share your personal best practices in the comments below.
If you’d like a printable version of these Sunbrella fabric cleaning instructions, click the links below to download PDFs of the steps we covered — plus a bonus stain removal guide!