One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella® fabrics
 looking good and to delay the need for deep or
vigorous cleaning is to hose fabrics off on a monthly
basis with clear water. This practice will help prevent
dirt from becoming deeply embedded in the fabric
and eliminate the need for more frequent vigorous
cleaning. In most environments, a thorough cleaning
will be needed every two to three years.
When it’s time for a thorough cleaning, Sunbrella
fabrics can be cleaned while still on an awning frame
or, size permitting, they can be removed for cleaning
in a washing machine.
When cleaning Sunbrella fabrics, it is important to
observe the following:
• Always use a mild soap such as
Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite.
• Water should be cold to lukewarm.
(Never more than 100°F/38°C.)
• Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
• Air dry only. Never apply heat to Sunbrella fabrics.
General or light cleaning
To clean Sunbrella while still on an awning frame, follow
these simple steps:
• Brush off loose dirt.
• Hose down.
• Prepare a cleaning solution of water
and mild soap such as Ivory Snow,
Dreft or Woolite (no detergents).
• Use a soft bristle brush to clean.
• Allow cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
• Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed.
• Air dry.
• May not require re-treatment depending
on the age of the fabric.
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
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:
• Eight ounces (1 cup) of chlorine bleach.
• Two ounces (1/4 cup) of mild
soap and/or detergent.
• One gallon of water.
• Clean with soft bristle brush.
• Allow mixture to soak into fabric
for up to 15 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed.
• Air dry.
• Repeat if necessary.
• Re-treatment of fabric for water and
stain resistance will be necessary.
Remember to protect the area around your Sunbrella
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:
• Use mild soap and/or detergent.
• For heavier stains add 1 cup of bleach to wash.
• Wash and rinse in cold water.
• Air dry. Never apply heat to Sunbrella.
• 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.
Fabrics should be re-treated after thorough cleaning
or after five years of use.
For more information on re-treatment products,
please visit www.303products.com.
*Synthetic fabric heat settings normally
do not exceed 150°F/66°C.
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 repellency.
• Clean Sunbrella fabric, using one
of the cleaning methods.
• Allow Sunbrella to completely air dry.
• Apply 303 Fabric Guard in a well ventilated
area following instructions on the container.
• Apply 303 in a thin, even coat and
allow fabric to dry completely.
• 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.)
For more information, please visit
www.303products.com.
Professional awning cleaners
You may have access to professional awning cleaning
firms. In evaluating the services of a professional
firm, you should inquire about a firm’s experience
in 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.
Awning Canvas replacement and repair
http://shadeshop.yolasite.com/awning-canvas-repair.php