If you own an outdoor umbrella you will know that it’s usually very exposed to the elements and subject to all kinds of weather ranging from harsh sun to high winds and torrential rain. Being continually subjected to the elements can create problems which often lead you to replacing your umbrella long before you should need to!
Use these tips and instructions to extend the life of your umbrella.
- Be sure to brush off any loose dirt or leaves that have landed on the umbrella canopy.
- During winter months when the umbrella is not in use, it is beneficial to store it away in a dry place protected from the wind. Be sure the umbrella is completely dry before storing to prevent mold or mildew developing while in storage. It is best to store your umbrella upright to help prevent any undesirable pests doing damage to the canopy while in storage.
- The acrylic fabric of a good quality umbrella should resist mildew growth, but if your umbrella does develop mold, to clean this or other stubborn stains like bird droppings, dirt or pollen remnants do as follows; prepare a solution of bleach (240ml) and mildew soap (60ml) and clean water (approx 4 litres). Spray on the entire area and allow time to soak into the umbrella fabric. Scrub with a soft brush and rinse thoroughly with clean water. Allow the fabric to air dry. Note as not all acrylic fabrics are created equal, it is important to test a small insignificant area of your umbrella canopy with this solution before applying it to the full area.
- If the stain or mildew is severe the quantities of bleach may be increased. Again, this is a suggested solution for high quality acrylic fabrics and may cause permanent damage to different or inferior fabrics, so it is important to test first or if unsure, go back to the manufacturer for their recommendation.
- Take the umbrella down in high wind situations – this will prevent it from bending or damaging the frame or structure of the umbrella. Your umbrella was designed to shield your family and guests from the sun and may not be equal to nature’s more extreme elements, so you may need to bolt down the base of the pole to the ground or ensure it is fastened to a heavy base.
- If you have a wooden patio umbrella it may start to look weathered and require rejuventation after a period of time, with a polish and/or wax with furniture oil.
- If left unattended, ensure your umbrella is securely fastened to its base on a flat surface and is stable enough not to tip over.
- Lastly, make sure you adhere to your supplier's umbrella operational and care instructions. Be sure that the umbrella has UV stabilised fabric and is certified as fade resistant. The Sunbrella range of fabric is a proven shade material to look out for, you can learn more about it in this short article here.
If you want a long lasting, low care, outdoor umbrella purchase from Shadowspec, who have international award winning designs of aluminium umbrellas that are engineered, wind tested and certified to guarantee exceptional quality and top performance for many years. They also come with a significant warranty that makes purchasing from Shadowspec trouble free.
Take a look at our outdoor umbrella range
