Fabric Cleaning

One of the best way to keep Sunbrella fabrics looking good and to delay deep or vigorous cleanings is to properly maintain the fabrics. This can be accomplished by simply brushing off dirt before it becomes embedded in the fabric, wiping up spills as soon as they occur, or spot cleaning soon after stains occur.

When cleaning Sunbrella fabrics, it is important to observe the following:

1. Always use a mild soap such as Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite.
2. Water should be cold to lukewarm. (Never more than 100°F/38°C.)
3. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
4. Air dry only. Never apply heat to Sunbrella fabrics.

General or Light Cleaning

To clean Sunbrella fabric while still on an awning frame, follow these simple steps:

1. Brush off loose dirt.
2. Hose down.
3. Prepare a cleaning solution of water and mild soap such as Ivory Snow, Dreft, or Woolite (no detergents).
4. Use a soft bristle brush to clean.
5. Allow cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
6. Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed.
7. Air dry.
8. May not require re-treatment depending on the age of the fabric.
9. If stubborn stains persist, you can use a diluted chlorine bleach/soap mixture for spot cleaning of mildew, roof run-off or other similar stains (see our Stain Chart for specific recommendations).

Heavy Cleaning for Stubborn Stains and Mildew

View the Sunbrella fabric Stain chart. Sunbrella fabric does not promote mildew growth, however mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric. To clean mildew or other stubborn stains:

1. Eight ounces (1 cup) of chlorine bleach.
2. Two ounces (1/4 cup) of mild soap and/or detergent.
3. One gallon of water.
4. Clean with soft bristle brush.
5. Allow mixture to soak into fabric for up to 15 minutes.
6. Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed.
7. Air dry.
8. Repeat if necessary.
9. Re-treatment of fabric for water and stain resistance will be necessary.

Remember to protect the area around your Sunbrella fabric if using a bleach solution. Carpet or other fabrics that are not Sunbrella may have an adverse reaction to the bleach. If an awning is suitable in size for a washing machine, these steps should be followed:

1. Use mild soap and/or detergent.
2. For heavier stains add 1 cup of bleach to wash.
3. Wash and rinse in cold water.
4. Air dry. Never apply heat to Sunbrella.
5. Re-treatment for water and stain resistance will be necessary after machine washing.

Re-treating the Fabric

As part of the finishing process, Sunbrella fabrics are treated with a fluorocarbon finish, which enhances water repellency. This finish is designed to last for several years, but must be replenished after a thorough cleaning. Based on test results, Glen Raven recommends 303 High Tech Fabric Guard™ as the preferred re-treatment product for Sunbrella fabrics.

Applying 303 High Tech Fabric Guard

303 should be applied to Sunbrella fabrics after each thorough cleaning, which typically removes the original finish and reduces the fabric’s water repellancy.

1. Clean Sunbrella fabric, using one of the cleaning methods.
2. Allow Sunbrella to completely air dry.
3. Apply 303 Fabric Guard in a well ventilated area following instructions on the container.
4. Apply 303 in a thin, even coat and allow fabric to dry completely.
5. Apply a second thin, even coating of 303. (Two light coatings are more effective in restoring fabric water resistance than a single heavy coating. A 15-ounce bottle provides coverage of up to 50 square feet of fabric.) You can purchase 303 High Tech Fabric Guard here.

Professional Awning Cleaners

For professional awning cleaning, contact Kohler Awning for more information. Kohler has the experience of working with Sunbrella fabrics and knowledge of cleaning and re-treatment requirements.

DO NOT dry clean Sunbrella fabrics.

Helpful Hints

• Protect the area around the Sunbrella fabric when using a bleach solution – bleach may discolor non-Sunbrella fabrics. Always rinse Sunbrella thoroughly to completely remove bleach.
• 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 100°F/38°C 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.
• Use of bleach and/or advanced age of the fabric application may impact the deterioration of the sewing thread and other non-Sunbrella components.