• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Decor Outdoor

Decor Outdoor

Search
  • Patio Furniture
    • Lounge
    • Dining
    • Teak
    • Aluminum
    • Steel
    • All-Weather Wicker
    • Replacement Cushions
  • Umbrellas & Shades
    • Cantilever Umbrellas
    • Market Umbrellas
    • Cabanas & Pavilions
    • Umbrella Bases & Mounts
    • Patio Umbrella Accessories & Parts
  • Heating
    • Fireplaces & Fire Pits
    • Patio Heaters
  • Accessories
    • Outdoor Rugs
    • Outdoor Lamps & Lanterns
    • Outdoor Pillows & Cushions
    • Outdoor Storage
    • Miscellaneous Accents
  • Brands
    • Bambrella
    • Bromic
    • Calcana
    • Cane Line
    • EcoSmart Fire
    • FiberBuilt
    • Fillup Club
    • Fire Pit Art
    • Galtech
    • Heatscope
    • iSiMAR
    • Jaipur Living
    • Jardinico
    • Lloyd Flanders
    • Mamagreen
    • Radtec
    • Shademaker
    • Shadowspec
    • Sifas
    • Skargaarden
    • Umbrosa
    • Woodline
  • Blog
  • Browse
    • Guides
    • How To
    • Lists
    • Outdoor
    • Interior Design
    • Styles
    • Design Tips
    • Lighting

Cleaning & Caring for your Patio Umbrella

by Bill Ferris Leave a Comment

Five closed beach umbrellas with blue canopies between light brown wicker dining sets on an overcast day

Table of Contents

  • How do you maintain and clean a patio umbrella?
  • Shade umbrella maintenance tips
    • Open it gently
    • Close it when not in use
    • Keep it dry
    • Review manufacturer recommendations
  • Cleaning your deck umbrella
    • Fabric cleaning
      • A helpful reference for removing fabric stains
    • Frame cleaning
  • Patio umbrella storage ideas
  • Extend the life of your deck umbrella

How do you maintain and clean a patio umbrella?

To ensure that your outdoor umbrella is looking great and working properly year after year, it’s important to keep it clean, maintained and protected at all times.

Patio Umbrella Maintenance Tips

Shade umbrella maintenance tips

Throughout the warm and temperate seasons, a little common sense and care will go a long way toward keeping your outdoor umbrella in tip-top shape and delay the need to replace your umbrella’s canopy, ribs or frame.

Open it gently

Most umbrellas are designed to rest comfortably in a fully closed position. To properly and safely open yours, push and extend the main canopy ribs away from the pole a bit before engaging the lift mechanism. If you notice the umbrella struggling to open, don’t force it – you may need to clear stray twigs or leaves hindering the proper functioning of the lift.

Close it when not in use

Even if you have a substantial base or mounting fixture, it’s wise to keep your sun umbrella collapsed, in its locked position, when you are not using it. Inclement weather and high winds can play havoc with an open umbrella. Rather than risk damaging your umbrella’s ribs or launching it across the yard, take a few moments to close the canopy. Many manufacturers exclude wind damage from their warranties, so be smart.

Close-up of closed multi-canopy aluminum patio umbrella with black fabric mounted on concrete

Keep it dry

Ideally, you should employ an umbrella cover whenever it’s not in use. In addition to protecting it from unnecessary exposure to the sun, a cover helps keep out mildew-causing moisture. If you can’t always put it on, be sure that you completely dry the canopy before closing the umbrella. Most outdoor canopy fabrics are treated to resist mold and mildew, but moisture can collect and remain protected within the folds of a closed umbrella.

Quiz to find the right patio umbrella and base

Review manufacturer recommendations

Each manufacturer has instructions and tips for using their umbrellas. Some woods require periodic oiling, while others can go without it completely. Different materials and structural designs have their own specific guidelines for upkeep, so brush up on what you need to do before you set up your umbrella.

Cleaning your outdoor umbrella

Cleaning your deck umbrella

You should frequently clean your patio umbrella to ensure that it retains its appearance and remains free from debris that could hinder performance. Open the canopy completely and, using a hose, spray everything down with water. For in-depth and detailed cleaning recommendations, see our article “How to clean a patio umbrella” but here are some general tips.

Fabric cleaning

In general, mild soap and water are fine for most umbrella canopy fabrics, but be sure to read the instructions from the manufacturer for their recommendations. Use a sponge, dishrag or soft bristle brush to clean any problem areas. Let the cleaning solution soak in for a bit and then rinse since soapy buildup can lead to mildew. Keep the canopy open to allow the fabric to air dry completely. This is especially important if you’re storing your umbrella.

A helpful reference for removing fabric stains

Sunbrella, the “Gold Standard” in outdoor textiles, has videos showing how to remove several types of spills and stains on their solution-dyed acrylic textiles.

Frame cleaning

The directions for washing your umbrella frame are the same, whether it is wood, metal or fiberglass. Using a clean damp cloth, wipe down the ribs, hubs, pole and finial. Be especially careful around the joints, lift and tilt mechanisms, since you don’t want any threads or debris getting caught up in the moving parts. In most instances, mild soapy water is okay to use for cleaning very dirty areas, but consult the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure. You must avoid using an abrasive cloth or harsh cleaners, as they could damage the finish of your wood or metal frame. It’s also the perfect time to inspect the moving part of your frame and canopy assembly for damage. If you discover that something is cracked, loose or not working properly, contact the manufacturer. Most high-end outdoor shade brands sell umbrella parts as separate components. Keep the canopy open to allow the frame to completely air dry before closing.

Protection and Storage of Umbrellas

Patio umbrella storage ideas

When the weather is warm and sunny, nobody is thinking about protecting a patio umbrella in winter months. But, during the off-season, or when there are extended periods of time during which your shade is unused, you should carefully remove the pole and canopy from the umbrella base or mount and store it. Properly storing patio umbrellas is relatively easy and effective if you follow a few simple rules.

  • Make sure it’s clean and dry – Follow the guidelines listed earlier, before storing your patio umbrella.
  • Use a protective cover – It will prevent moisture build-up, block dust and debris, and minimize inadvertent damage from other items brushing up against it.
  • Wrap the folds in one direction – To minimize wrinkling and preserve the aesthetic qualities of your canopy, wrap the folds in the same direction, before securing it within the umbrella cover.
  • Cover the pole ends – To minimize damage to the ends of the pole, you should enclose them in cardboard or heavy rags.
  • Store it in an upright position – Laying umbrellas on their sides puts unneeded weight on the rib assembly, especially if other items are apt to be stacked on them or they are at risk of being stepped on.
  • Keep it in an enclosed dry area – Be sure to store your umbrella in a dry covered space like a garage, basement or pool house in the off-season. Even if it has a protective cover, the cold and moisture have a way of creeping in and damaging items left outdoors and unattended for too long.

Extend the life of your deck umbrella

You invested in a premium outdoor shade, so treat it properly to ensure it works and looks great for as long as possible. If you follow the manufacturer’s operational manual and periodically inspect and clean your umbrella, there’s no reason it can’t last for years.

Guide Sections

Ultimate Patio Umbrella Buying Guide

Patio Umbrella Buying Guide

Cantilever outdoor umbrella with beige octagonal canopy providing shade for a lounge set on a terrace overlooking green fields

Types of Patio Umbrellas – Designs, Sizes & Shapes

Close-up of grey powder-coated aluminum patio umbrella frame and struts with teal fabric canopy

Patio Umbrella Fabrics & Materials

Close-up of charcoal grey cantilever umbrella base with wheels on a hardwood deck

Outdoor Umbrella Bases & Mounts

Center pole outdoor umbrella with black canopy and LED lights at dusk in a tropical setting

Outdoor Umbrella Features – Canopy Tilt & Lights

Young man in black hoodie raising the canopy of a large cantilever patio umbrella with an aluminum frame

Patio Umbrella Wind Rating & Ease of Use

Filed Under: Guide - Patio Umbrellas, Outdoor Patio Umbrellas & Shades

Avatar for Bill Ferris

About Bill Ferris

Bill Ferris is the president of Decor Outdoor and founded the company in 2007. He's been quoted on patio furniture by Living Cozy and on home improvement by Realtor.com. When not writing posts for the website, he's a frequent guest contributor on the subject of online marketing and an interior design enthusiast.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Patio Umbrella Quiz – What’s right for your space?

Outdoor umbrella with white canopy next to a swimming pool and palm trees

Guide Sections

  • Patio Umbrella Buying Guide
  • Types of Patio Umbrellas – Designs, Sizes & Shapes
  • Patio Umbrella Fabrics & Materials
  • Outdoor Umbrella Bases & Mounts
  • Outdoor Umbrella Features – Canopy Tilt & Lights
  • Patio Umbrella Wind Rating & Ease of Use

Featured Guides

Modern rectangular canopy with wood slat sides, fabric roof and white curtains shading a dining set on a light deck next to a pool

Shade Structure Buying Guide

Ultimate Patio Umbrella Buying Guide

Patio Umbrella Buying Guide

Two Tuscan-style outdoor dining chairs with black wrought metal frames and lattice backrests with white seat cushions on a deck overlooking water

Patio Furniture Cleaning & Care Guide

Square outdoor dining table with teak slat top and black metal frame with coordinating benches and armchair on a lake pier

Patio Furniture Buying Guide

Brown outdoor wicker sectional sofa with round white topped coffee table on deck near a swimming pool

Outdoor Furniture Materials Guide

Footer

Customer Center

  • Account
  • Price Match Guarantee
  • Shipping Information
  • Trade Program

Company

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

Info

  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Return Policy
  • 888.784.4644

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Trustpilot
Decor Outdoor, Online Retailer, North Hollywood, CA
Protected by Cloudflare
Secured by PayPal
Bureau of Household Goods and Services - License #167100

Copyright © 2025 ยท Decor Outdoor