How to Care for Sunbrella Fabrics

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Posted by Jane

Mar 25 2011

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Sunbrella Stain Chart

This chart contains our recommended cleaning methods of Sunbrella^® fabric for some of the most common and toughest stains. You may also use Carbona Stain Devil cleaning products. Available from national retailers, Carbona provides 9 formulas made to get out different types of stains. Apply the number indicated for your stain.

Stain

Recommended Cleaning Solutions

Carbona Stain Devil NO.

Beer

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water / white vinegar (3 oz.)

Berry

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water / ammonia (4-8 oz.)

Bird droppings

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water, or try Goo Gone Grease Cutter (a hand cleaner), Greased Lightning, or Clean Rite Purple Power (available at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc.)

Blood (dried)

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water / ammonia (4-8 oz.)

Butter

volatile solvent (acetone) 100%

Charcoal, pencil marks

vacuum, then Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1gallon water

Catsup or mustard

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water

Chewing gum

volatile solvent (acetone) 100%

Chocolate

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water / ammonia (4 oz.)

Coffee

Dawn® dishwashing liquid / water, white vinegar, volatile solvent (acetone)

Cola

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water

Crayon

paint remover (100%), oil or grease remover (mix as directed)

Egg (raw)

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water

Grape juice

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water

Gravy

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water

Grease (car)

volatile solvent (acetone) 100%

Ink (permanent, india, ballpoint)

paint remover (100%), volatile solvent (acetone) 100%, soap and water

Iron rust

Carbona™ Stain Devil #9

Lipstick

paint remover, oil or grease remover (mix as directed)

Mascara

paint remover (100%), volatile solvent (acetone-100%), Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water

Mildew

bleach (1 cup) / Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water

Milk

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water

Nail polish

volatile solvent (acetone) 100%

Oil

volatile solvent (acetone) 100%

Orange drink

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water

Paint (latex) wet

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water

Paint (latex) dried

paint remover (100%), oil or grease remover (mix as directed)

Paint (oil or lacquer)

paint remover (100%), oil or grease remover (mix as directed)

Shoe polish (liquid)

volatile solvent (acetone) 100%

Shoe polish (wax)

apply heated iron over towel, volatile solvent (acetone) 100%

Suntan lotion

Pine Power® or pine oil detergent / water (mix as directed)

Tea

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water

Tomato juice

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water

Tree sap

turpentine (100%), Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water

Urine

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water / white vinegar (3 oz.)

Vomit

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water / white vinegar (3 oz.)

Water color

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water / white vinegar (3 oz.)

Wax (candle)

apply heated iron over towel, volatile solvent (acetone) 100%

Wine

Dawn® dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 1 gallon water / ammonia (4-8 oz.) / white vinegar (3 oz.)

More decorating ideas:

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29 Comments

elizabeth June 20, 2011 at 1:44 pm Log in to Reply

we are going to have summer slip covers made for our living room furniture. i would like to use a creamy white color with a coral colored welt and was thinking of using sunbrella- soft and comfortable enough for indoor use? thanks
Pat June 17, 2011 at 6:10 am Log in to Reply

How do you get pine sap/tar out of sunbrella fabric?
- Jane June 21, 2011 at 10:11 am Log in to Reply
  
  Pat: If you go to our article on Sunbrella Fabrics in the How To Section of Style Studio - go to the 3rd page of the article - there is a guide to get stains out of Sunbrella fabrics and one of the listings is Tree Sap. Follow the directions and the stain should come out. Sincerely, The Style Studio Team
Emily June 10, 2011 at 4:36 am Log in to Reply

I have some Sunbrella-covered outdoor chair cushions. I know that leaving them out in the rain will not damage the fabric, but will the cushions themselves dry quickly after a heavy rain? Thanks!
- Jane June 13, 2011 at 6:22 am Log in to Reply
  
  Emily: Although Sunbrella fabric is water repellant, it should be retreated every couple of years to maintain the water repellancy. Sunbrella recommends 303 High Tech Fabric Guard to be applied in two light coatings rather than one heavy coating. This should keep your Sunbrella fabric looking new and maintain the water repellant nature of the fabric. Sunbrella is designed to repel the rain and dry quickly so we think you should enjoy it for many years to come. Sincerely, The Style Studio Team
Jane September 1, 2010 at 3:45 am Log in to Reply

Dear Susan: We recommend that you contact Sunbrella directly for some guidance on dying your Sunbrella fabric. You can contact them at www.sunbrella.com. We would love to know what you find out regarding your fabric. Keep in touch and let us know. Tha Style Studio Team
Susan C August 31, 2010 at 4:09 am Log in to Reply

My Sunbrella fabric has faded due to the direct sunlight living on the water. Can you die the fabric?
Jane August 27, 2010 at 4:57 pm Log in to Reply

Dear Rhonda: Sunbrella fabrics have come a long way. They are now as versatile as any other fabric. We love the colors and the feel of the Sunbrella fabrics. As with any fabric that you choose, we suggest ordering a swatch before you make a decision. Sincerely, The Style Studio Team
Rhonda August 27, 2010 at 3:19 pm Log in to Reply

Could Sunbrella fabrics be used for drapery(i.e. valance)indoors? Or is the fabric considered too heavy?
Style Studio Team July 13, 2010 at 10:25 am Log in to Reply

Dear Laurie: Thank you for your recent question. Although Sunbrella is a perfect choice because of it fade resistance, the fabric is very tightly woven and would probably be opaque, with little or no sun coming through. We hope this answers your question. The Style Studio Team
laurie July 11, 2010 at 9:30 am Log in to Reply

I need a sun/fade resistant bright color fabric to stretch over the back of a carved wooden screen which hangs inside a very sunny front window. I would like the light to come through, but don't want the bright color to fade. Would this be something I could use Sunbrella for?
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Style Studio Team July 7, 2010 at 8:55 am Log in to Reply

Mary: You can look at the stain guide in this article and there is a paragraph on mildew removal. Follow directions carefully and you should be successful. The Style Studio Team
Mary Baker July 7, 2010 at 8:42 am Log in to Reply

My chair cushions have been left outside and have mildew stains. How do I clean to remove these stains?
June Parker July 4, 2010 at 7:43 pm Log in to Reply

Is it possible to paint sunbrella fabric? I have an aumbrella that is faded,but the overall condition of the fabric is good.I like the original red color.
Style Studio Team June 28, 2010 at 3:50 am Log in to Reply

Cydney: The fringe on your Sunbrella fabric pillows is spun from Sunbrella yarns, so the fringe is made of the same material. The pillows can certainly be left out and they can get wet. So enjoy the summer and don't worry about the pillows! They are designed to be outside. Hope this answers your questions. The Style Studio Team
cydney smith June 27, 2010 at 8:52 am Log in to Reply

i purchased sunbrella pillows with sunbrella fringe trim from ballard design..can these get wet with the fringe?...I am afraid to leave them outside.
Style Studio Team June 26, 2010 at 3:55 pm Log in to Reply

Dear Candace: Sunbrella Fabrics are 54" in width. The Style Studio Team
Candace June 26, 2010 at 3:46 pm Log in to Reply

What is the width of your Sunbrella fabric when purchasing by the yard?
Jane May 26, 2010 at 3:47 am Log in to Reply

Dear Karen: There are a few purple Sunbrella fabrics. If you go online to the Sunbrella website, click onto fabric showroom, then you should be able to view them. You can ask where those fabrics are sold in your area. Hope this information helps. Sincerely, The Style Studio Team
Karen Roberts May 24, 2010 at 4:27 pm Log in to Reply

Is there a reason I can never find Sunbrella fabric in shades of purple? It seems like such a logical choice for a color for outdoors, but I have never been able to find it.
Jane May 23, 2010 at 6:07 am Log in to Reply

Dear Suzanne: Sunbrella fabrics are made to withstand the outdoor environment. Maintaining the fabric on a regular basis will keep it looking great for a long time. It is designed to be left outside. It dries very quickly and resists mildew and fading. We hope that you enjoy your Sunbrella fabric for years to come. Sincerely, the Style Studio Team
suzanne stewart May 23, 2010 at 6:01 am Log in to Reply

Can Sunbrella cushions be left out in the rain or do they need to be put away after each use and kept dry? My current table never looks good because I can't/don't put the cushions out unless we are going are entertaining. Thanks.
MarkSpizer May 2, 2010 at 6:37 am Log in to Reply

great post as usual!
Style Studio Team April 26, 2010 at 9:03 am Log in to Reply

Carrie: According to the stain remover guide which is Sunbrella's guidelines, it recommends using Pine Power or pine oil detergent and water - mix as dierected. This Sunbrella Fabric Guide is a great resouce, so keep it handy. The Style Studio Team
Jane April 19, 2010 at 10:10 am Log in to Reply

Dear Carrie: To remove suntan oil from Sunbrella Fabrics, Sunbrella recommends a pine oil detergent mixed with water as directed. The Style Studio
Carrie Stewart April 19, 2010 at 10:00 am Log in to Reply

Is there a good way to get suntan oil out of sunbrella fabric?