Sunbrella fabrics are made to last through years of fun with family and friends. Sunbrella fabrics stand up to life on the water, but an important part of maintaining long-lasting performance is regular care.
General or Light Cleaning
- Brush off any loose dirt.
- Blot (don’t rub) liquid spills with a clean, dry cloth.
- For oil-based spills, apply an absorbent such as corn starch, then remove with a straight edge.
- Spray on a mild cleaning solution of soap and water or use Sunbrella Clean™ Multi-Purpose Fabric Cleaner or a cleaner such as 303® Multi-Surface Cleaner.
- Rinse the fabric thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Air dry.
Download Sunbrella Marine Upholstery Cleaning Instructions PDF
For Removable Sunbrella Fabric
Hand Washing
Soak fabric in a solution of 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Use a sponge or very soft bristle brush to lightly agitate the spill. Then rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue and allow fabric to 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 fabric to air dry.
Oil-Based Stains
If a stubborn oil-based stain persists after cleaning, use Sunbrella Extract™ Oil-Based Stain Remover or treat with a strong degreaser and rinse thoroughly.
Specific information on spill cleaning is available in our Cleaning Guide.
Heavy Cleaning for Stubborn 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:
- Prepare a solution of 1 cup of bleach and 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of water.
- Spray on entire area and allow to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes.
- Remove stain with a sponge, clean towel or very soft bristle brush.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Allow fabric to air dry.
For severe mold/mildew growth, bleach quantities may be increased.
We recommend our Sunbrella Clean™ Multi-Purpose Fabric Cleaner followed by a diluted bleach solution.
Specific information on spill cleaning is available in our Cleaning Guide.
Retreating Sunbrella Fabrics
Sunbrella fabrics are engineered to provide long-term performance. After repeated thorough cleanings, or extended use and exposure, you may choose to refresh your fabrics with an appropriate retreating agent. We recommend Sunbrella Restore™ Fabric Protector & Repellent or 303® Fabric Guard™, available in the United States, and Tex’Aktiv available internationally.
Applying a retreatment:
- Clean Sunbrella fabric, using one of the cleaning methods outlined.
- Allow Sunbrella to completely air dry.
- Apply retreatment outdoors in a well-ventilated area following instructions on the container.
Professional Cleaners
In evaluating the services of a professional firm, you should inquire about the firm's experience in working with Sunbrella fabrics and knowledge of cleaning and retreatment requirements.
DO NOT dry clean Sunbrella fabrics.
Helpful Hints
While Sunbrella fabric offers excellent protection against stains, full removal is not always guaranteed if spills are not addressed promptly.
Protect the area around your Sunbrella fabric when using a bleach solution - bleach may discolor non-Sunbrella fabrics. Always rinse Sunbrella thoroughly to completely remove bleach.
Please be aware of the environment when cleaning with bleach. 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 other environment that could be affected.
Sunbrella air-dries very quickly. Machine drying is not necessary.
If fabric has some wrinkling, use an iron, 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 entire piece.
DO NOT use a steamer or iron set to steam setting.
