Patio Umbrella Care

PATIO UMBRELLA CARE

Cleaning

You may need to clean your patio umbrella fabric after dirt and grime (and bird poop!) may have accumulated over months of exposure outdoors.  Here are our tips:

• Use a cleaning solution of warm water and mild soap/detergent (dish detergent or fabric detergent).
• Allow the cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
• Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub stains.
• Rinse thoroughly to ensure all soap residue is removed.
• Air dry.

Do not put the fabric into a washing machine or dryer machine.  The hot water or air can shrink or melt the fabric. 

Do not use chemical cleaners on the fabric or frame.

Damage Protection

• Close the umbrellas in high winds. Strong winds can damage or knock over your umbrellas, so it is important they be closed in storms, and even better if you can bring them indoors.
• Bring them indoors or put them in storage for the winter.  Cold weather and snow is harsh on outdoor furniture and can take years off its life.  For storage, we recommend putting a Protective Cover on it to keep the fabric clean in whatever storage environment you put them in.
• Ensure you have enough base weight.  If the base is too light, the umbrellas will fall over and the impact on the ground damages the frame.  Use the guidelines we have provided for our umbrellas.
• Ensure you purchase an umbrella that is designed for the level of winds your patio gets:  On each product page, we describe whether the umbrella is suited for mild winds, moderate winds or high winds.  If you purchase an umbrella suited for mild winds, but you actually get moderate or high winds on a regular basis, the winds can cause damage to the frame.
• Train your staff on handling the umbrellas.  Being dropped by staff, leaving them open overnight, etc. will cause damage eventually.

PATIO UMBRELLA BASES CARE

Cleaning

For cleaning, use a cleaning solution of warm water and mild soap/detergent (dish detergent or fabric detergent) and a hose to rinse it off.  Do not use a pressure washer of any strength…it can damage the exterior coating on the base and allow water/moisture to get into the concrete and cause the concrete to break/crumble.  

Damage Protection

The bases should be brought indoors/put into storage in the winter.  Cold weather and snow is harsh on outdoor furniture and can take years off its life.  Water can seep into small spaces, then freeze and expand and crack the cement or stone.  Do not put de-icing or salt near your bases, it can erode the stone/concrete material and cause it to break/crack.