What should an umbrella be washed with?

Umbrella fabric is cleaned with lukewarm water with neutral surface cleaner or liquid soft soap added at the label dose and a soft brush, rinsed with plenty of water and dried open.

How is umbrella fabric cleaned?

The umbrella is opened, the fabric is wetted with low-pressure water, wiped with diluted cleaner and a soft brush and rinsed with plenty of water. The umbrella is not closed until the fabric is completely dry.

Can a patio umbrella be machine washed?

The fabric of a patio umbrella is machine washed only if it is removable and its label allows it. Other patio umbrellas are cleaned in place in the open position.

Guide · Household items and appliances · October 24, 2026

How to Clean an Umbrella

Because rain umbrellas are closed while wet and dirty, water marks, mud and stains build up on the fabric; patio, café and beach umbrellas are constantly exposed to sun, dust, bird droppings and tree resin. Umbrella fabric is mostly polyester or acrylic and is cleaned in place with a neutral cleaner and a soft brush; what matters most is not closing the umbrella before it is completely dry. This guide explains how to clean a rain umbrella, a patio umbrella and umbrella fabric. For balcony and shop awnings, see the guide how to clean an awning.

Before you start

Read the label and manual: the umbrella maker's care instructions always come first; the type of fabric determines the right method.
Secure it: seat the patio umbrella firmly in its base and do not clean it in windy weather.
Pick a day: choose a dry, cloudy day; in the sun, cleaner can dry on the fabric and leave marks.
Remove the dust: brush off dry dirt, leaves and sand beforehand with a soft brush.

How to clean a rain umbrella: step by step

Open the umbrella and wet both sides of the fabric with lukewarm water.
Add START all-purpose surface cleaner to lukewarm water in the amount on the label. According to its safety data sheet, our START all-purpose surface cleaner has a pH of 7–8.
Wipe the fabric with a soft sponge or brush, working outwards between the ribs.
Rinse the umbrella with clean water until no cleaner remains.
Leave the umbrella open to dry completely in the shade; do not close it before it is dry.

How to clean a patio umbrella?

Clean patio and café umbrellas in the open position. Wet the fabric with a hose at low pressure; add START all-purpose surface cleaner or liquid soft soap to lukewarm water at the label dose and wipe the fabric from top to bottom with a soft brush, without pressing. Rinse off cleaner residue with plenty of water; detergent left in the fabric attracts dirt again. Leave the umbrella open until it is completely dry. On umbrellas with removable fabric, machine wash the fabric only if the label allows; otherwise clean it in place.

Stains on umbrella fabric

Bird droppings: once dry, loosen them with a brush and remove; wipe the remaining mark with cleaning solution and a soft brush.
Tree resin and grease: remove the stain promptly with a damp cloth and a little cleaner; solvents can damage the fabric's coating and colour.
Mould and algae stains: we have no biocidal product or claim for mould and algae stains on the fabric; use the product recommended by the umbrella maker or have the fabric replaced.
Faded colours: the colour of fabric faded by the sun does not come back with cleaning.

Ribs, pole and base

Ribs and frame: wipe metal ribs with a damp cloth and dry them straight away; we have no product for rusted ribs and mechanisms, so ask the maker for spare parts.
Aluminium pole and base: wipe with diluted surface cleaner and a soft cloth; do not use acidic products, strong alkalis or degreaser on aluminium.
Wooden pole: wipe it with a slightly damp cloth and TETİK wood surface cleaner according to its label; do not leave the wood wet.
Mechanism: do not spray water on the crank, pulley or motor; follow the maker's advice for maintenance and lubrication.

Beach umbrellas and winter storage

Shake the sand off a beach umbrella, rinse the fabric and ribs with fresh water after sea water and dry it open.
At the end of the season, clean the umbrella and dry it completely.
Put the dry umbrella in its cover and store it in a dry, well-ventilated place.
Do not put a damp umbrella in its cover; the fabric gets stained and smells bad.

What not to do

Holding a pressure washer close to the fabric.
Using bleach and solvents on umbrella fabric.
Using degreaser and acidic products on an aluminium pole and base.
Closing and putting away a wet umbrella.
Machine washing umbrella fabric if the label does not allow it.

For cafés, restaurants and hotels

In café and restaurant gardens, by hotel pools and at beach businesses, umbrellas are the first thing guests see; regular brushing throughout the season, removing bird droppings without delay and a full clean at the end of the season keep the routine orderly. For awnings, see how to clean an awning, and for outdoor areas and tables, how to clean a café. START all-purpose surface cleaner is produced in 5 L and TETİK liquid soft soap in 5 kg and 20 kg packs; for bulk purchases you can request a quote.

Prepared by: Tetikoğlu Kimya — cleaning chemicals manufacturer since 1997. When using products, always follow the instructions and warnings on the pack.