Outdoor Furniture Care
Care and Cleaning & Stain Chart
One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella® fabrics looking good is to brush off dirt before it becomes embedded in the fabrics and wipe up spills or clean soon after a stain occurs. The quicker you clean spills and stains, the easier they can be to remove.
Try this first... With a new spill or stain on your Sunbrella fabric.
Blot (don't rub) liquid spills with a clean, dry cloth. For oil-based spills, apply an absorbent such as cornflour, then remove with a straight edge.
Spray on a mild cleaning solution of soap (such as washing up liquid) and water.
Rinse the fabric thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
Air dry.
Try this next... If your first try doesn't get the stain completely out.
Though Sunbrella fabrics can be used both outdoors and in, your cleaning methods should differ slightly indoors and out because of the fabrication and manufacturing of the furniture. We recommend using the appropriate cleaning instructions for your application.
CLEANING
Hand Washing
Soak fabric in a solution of ¼ cup mild soap per 5 litres of lukewarm water. Use a sponge or very soft bristle brush to lightly agitate the stain. Then rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue, and allow fabric to air dry.
Machine Washing
Some removable casings can be washed in the washing machine, however consult the furniture manufacturer before removing the casing as cushion construction may vary. To wash, first close all zippers. Machine wash in cold water on the delicate cycle with normal amounts of mild laundry detergent. For severe mould or mildew, add 1 cup of bleach. Allow fabric to air dry.
Cleaning Non-Removable Fabric
Prepare a solution of ¼ cup mild soap per 5 litres of lukewarm water. Use a soft bristle brush to clean, allowing the cleaning solution to soak into the fabric. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue and allow fabric to air dry.
Power Wash
A garden power wash can be used to clean your Sunbrella fabric which will quickly and easily remove gerenal day to day dirt and grime. Please ensure you keep the nozel at lease 6 inches from the cleaning surface.
Mold and mildew stains
Sunbrella fabrics do not promote mildew growth, however, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances if not removed from the fabric. To remove mould or mildew: Prepare a solution of 1 cup of bleach and ¼ cup mild soap per 5 litres of water. Spray on entire area and allow to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes. Clean entire surface area with a sponge, clean towel or very soft bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue. Air dry. For severe mold/mildew growth, bleach quantities may be increased. For severe mould/mildew growth, bleach quantities may be increased. It is best to clean the entire surface area of the fabric to avoid water rings and stains.
Helpful Hints
Avoid scrubbing, hard bristle brushes or any other abrasive cleaning method.
Sunbrella should only be allowed to air dry.
Protect the area around your Sunbrella fabric when using bleach or other chemical solvents that may discolor non-Sunbrella fabrics. Always rinse Sunbrella thoroughly.
If fabric has some wrinkling, use an iron on the synthetic setting. As iron temperatures may vary, first test a small inconspicuous area before ironing the entire piece.
DO NOT use a steamer or iron set to steam setting.
Stain Chart. | |
A comprehensive list of stains and recommended cleaning solutions. | |
Stain | Recommended Cleaning Solutions |
Berrys | Combine 1/4 cup washing up liquid and 1/2 - 1 cup of white vinegar per 5 litres of water. |
Bird Droppings | Combine 1/4 cup washing up liquid per 1 gallon water. |
Mustard | |
Coffee | |
Coco-Cola | |
Egg (raw) | |
Grape Juice | |
Milk | |
Tea | |
Beer | Combine 1/4 cup dishwashing liquid and 1/3 cup white vinegar per 5 litres of water. |
Food Colouring | |
Urine | |
Vomit | |
Butter | Apply cornflour as an absorbent, remove excess with a straight edge, clean up residual with washing up liquid and water. |
Grease | |
Oil | |
Paint Wet/Dried (latex, oil, lacquer) | |
Salad Dressing | |
Shoe Polish (liquid) | |
Suntan Lotion | |
Tomato Juice | |
Tree Sap | |
Blood (dried) | Combine 1/4 cup washing up liquid and 1/2 - 1 cup ammonia per 5 litres of water. |
Charcoal, Pencil Marks | Vacuum, then clean with 1/4 cup washing up liquid per 5 litres of water. |
Chewing Gum | Treat with isopropyl alcohol. Then clean with 1/4 cup washing up liquid per 5 litres of water. |
Chocolate | Combine 1/4 cup washing up liquid and 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide per 5 litres of water. |
Crayon | Treat with isopropyl alcohol. Then clean with 1/4 cup washing up liquid per 5 litres of water. |
Ink (Ballpoint) | Treat with volatile solvent (acetone 100%). Then clean with soap and water and rinse thoroughly. |
Nail Polish | |
Rust | Treat with a calcium/lime remover and rinse thoroughly. |
Fruit Juice | Combine 1/4 cup washing up liquid per 5 litres of water and rinse thoroughly. |
Mildew | Combine 1/4 cup washing up liquid and 1 cup bleach per 5 litres of water. |
Shoe Polish (wax) | Apply heated iron over towel. Apply cornstarch as an absorbent, remove excess with a straight edge, clean up residual with washing up liquid and water. |
Wax (candle) | Apply heated iron over towel. Treat with isopropyl alcohol. Then clean with 1/4 cup washing up liquid per 5 litres of water. |
Wine | Combine 1/4 cup washing up liquid, 1/3 cup white vinegar and 1/2 - 1 cup isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide per 5 litres of water. |
Cushion Boxes
Please note: Whilst every effort is made to keep water from entering our cushion boxes, a minimal amount of water will permeate through small openings in the internal Perspex protection layer especially in severe weather conditions. The open mesh base permits air to circulate and should prevent the cushions holding residual moisture. If this occurs, simply take out any damp cushions and allow to air dry naturally.
Mould and Mildew stains |
Westminster fabrics do not promote mould or mildew growth, however, mould will grow on dirt or dust and other foreign substances if not removed from the fabric. Mould will obtain moisture from the air when the air is very damp. These conditions accelerate mould growth. Mould needs water to grow and decomposes dead organic material. To remove Mould or Mildew: |
Prepare a solution of 1 cup of bleach and ¼ cup mild soap per 5 litres of water. Spray on entire area and allow to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes. Clean entire surface area with a sponge, clean cloth or very soft bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue. Air dry. For severe mould/mildew growth, bleach quantities may be increased. It is best to clean the entire surface area of the fabric to avoid water rings and stains. |