Clean a garden or patio umbrella by brushing off loose debris, scrubbing the fabric with a mild soap solution while the umbrella is open, rinsing thoroughly, and leaving it open in the sun to dry completely before closing it. The two things that ruin umbrella fabric are mildew from being put away damp and fading from the sun, so drying fully and, where needed, re-proofing the water resistance are what keep an umbrella usable for years.
Step by step
- Open the umbrella fully and brush off loose dirt, leaves, cobwebs and bird mess, including the underside and the seams.
- Scrub with a mild soap solution. Gentle detergent in warm water, worked over the fabric with a soft brush. Avoid harsh chemicals that strip colour and the water-resistant coating.
- Treat any mildew spots with an oxygen-based cleaner rather than bleach, which strips colour from the fabric.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water so no soap residue is left.
- Leave it open in the sun to dry completely before closing it. Closing a damp umbrella is the single most common cause of mildew.
Re-proofing the water resistance
Umbrella fabric is treated to repel water, and that finish wears with age, cleaning and sun. If water no longer beads and instead soaks in, a fabric water-proofing spray made for outdoor fabric restores the repellency. Apply it to clean, dry fabric and let it cure. This both keeps you dry and helps the fabric resist mildew and staining.
Keeping it good for longer
- Never close it wet. Always let it dry open first.
- Close or cover it in strong wind and when not in use to limit sun exposure and fading.
- Use a protective cover over a closed umbrella left outdoors.
- Brush off debris regularly so it does not stain or feed mildew.
Common questions
How do you clean a patio umbrella?
Open it fully, brush off loose debris, scrub the fabric with a mild soap solution and a soft brush, rinse thoroughly, and leave it open in the sun to dry completely before closing it. Treat mildew spots with an oxygen-based cleaner rather than bleach, which strips the colour.
Can you machine-wash umbrella fabric?
Only if the canopy is removable and the care label allows it, which is uncommon. Most umbrellas are cleaned in place, open, by hand. Whatever the method, the fabric must be dried completely, open, before the umbrella is closed, to prevent mildew.
How do I make my umbrella waterproof again?
Clean and dry the fabric, then apply a water-proofing spray made for outdoor fabric to restore the repellent finish, which wears off with age and sun. If water soaks in rather than beading on the canopy, it is time to re-proof it.
For a professional clean of a patio umbrella and your outdoor furniture, request a quote or see our outdoor furniture cleaning page.