Cleaning Guide: Sunbrellas and Awnings

If you’re considering a vinyl fabric for your awnings or outdoor space, Sunbrella offers a variety of colors and patterns to suit your taste. Even better, its legendary durability and easy-to-clean factor makes it an easy choice. It can stand up to some of the toughest stain culprits like wine, chocolate, or markers. However, there will come a time when you need to do some routine maintenance or restore the look of the fabric.

Whether you’re trying to stay ahead of the cleaning curve or need to revitalize your Sunbrella fabric, here are some ideas to get you started

Routine Upkeep for Your Fabric

Sunbrella fabric and other vinyl fabric awnings can accumulate debris over time, which left untouched, embeds dirt deeper. If you simply hose off the fabric on a monthly basis, you can avoid this and rigorous scrubbing in your future.

If you want to take it a step further than a freshwater rinse, mix water and a mild soap or a dishwashing liquid like Woolite or Dawn. Using a soft-bristled brush, soak the cleaning solution into the fabric and rinse off. Allow the fabric to air dry.

Using a pressure washer is not recommended. Not only is too harsh for the infrastructure of the fabric, but it can also embed dirt deeper into the material, blow off letters and graphics, split seams, and stretch the material.

Resolve Stubborn Stains

If you have a stubborn stain or have neglected your run off stains, you may need to bring bleach into the equation. Mix 1 cup bleach and ¼ cup soap per gallon of fresh water, or use Resolve®. Allow the mixture to soak into the stain for no more than 15 minutes. Use a soft-bristle brush and rinse off the soapy residue. One thing to be conscious of is the underside of your Sunbrella fabric. If you have Sunbrella Plus, Supreme, or Clarify, the back of your fabric is coated and not equipped to combat bristles. If you need to clean it, spray the bleach solution, skip the brush, and rinse it thoroughly.

Revamp and Restore

Every two to three years, you will want to do a deep cleaning on your Sunbrella or awning. If an awning is badly neglected or dirt gets deeply entrenched, it might be time to replace it. The fabric grade, environment, and exposure to chemicals are three variables for its condition. If you’ve done quite a few deep cleanings, you may have diminished the water- and stain-repellant finish. If the fabric is restorable, there are a few steps you can take to revamp the look.

It’s a two-step process: a deep clean followed by a protectant. Once you’ve rinsed it off, use a soft applicator and apply the protectant to the fabric, but be sure not to buff it out. Also, only wash an area as large as you can keep consistently wet. Finally, be sure to swipe from the bottom up to avoid treatment streaks. The sealer will soak into the fabric upon air drying.

All Vinyl Fabrics carries a wide spectrum of vinyl materials, and we want to help you find the right one for your lifestyle. Contact us or explore our selection of vinyl grades, colors, and textures. If you want to speak to one of our vinyl specialists, call 877-618-4695 today.