How to clean your parasol efficiently?
The first rays of sunshine are coming in? The weather is getting warmer? The parasol is an essential piece of outdoor furniture for dining, meetings with friends in the garden or long working sessions on the patio.
However, over time, parasols become dirty, and the fabric can become mouldy if it is not stored properly. Make sure you clean your parasol annually, and especially before storing it away for the winter. Get the hose out and it can be fun on a sunny day in your garden or patio at home.
Regardless of the design you have, whether it is a cantilever parasol or a parasol umbrella, regular maintenance is needed to keep it in good condition throughout the period of its use. The parasol must be taken care of from head to toe.
However, we encourage you to concentrate your efforts on the canopy.
The canopy of your parasol, which may be wider or narrower depending on your needs, can be damaged more quickly than the base and the pole because it is less resistant to exposure to UV rays, the moon, wind, rain, and hail.
Here are some easy tips and tricks for maintenance in a few minutes to always stay safe in the shade.
Here are the steps: start by removing dirt, black dust, and mildew that has been accumulated on the parasol using a vacuum cleaner or a soft brush.
Once you have completed this first step, it is highly recommended that you bring a cloth and a bucket of soapy water, as well as gloves to protect your hands.
How to clean the parasol base?
The existing solutions for cleaning a plastic parasol base are simple. It is up to you to choose the right product in the shop: sodium bicarbonate, white vinegar, bleach, or soapy water. It is important to take care to clean the whole surface and the area of the base.
When cleaning a stone parasol base, we strongly advise against the use of chemical products such as anti-limescale as they can discolour the stone.
We advise you to identify the material of your parasol in order to make the best choice for cleaning. Some materials have very specific physical and technical characteristics.
How do I clean the parasol pole?
It is important to take care to clean the whole surface and the area of the pole. If the frame is made of reinforced aluminium, you can use the same mixture as for the base of your parasol umbrella.
If the structure of your parasol is made of wood, start by cleaning it with a sponge, a cloth or a hard brush and soap. To finalise the cleaning, we advise you to apply a special wood oil to preserve the appearance of the wood.
How do I clean the parasol canopy?
The canopy is undoubtedly the most complicated element to clean, but don't worry, we are here to guide you. Using the right cleaning techniques is crucial to avoid damaging the fabric.
If you're dining outside or using your parasol regularly, it's important to clean it once a year to remove any dirt or stains. Before you start cleaning, be aware of the type of fabric: polyester, olefin or acrylic.
It is important to take care to clean the whole surface and the area of the canopy. Don’t forget to remove the fabric from its frame. To remove most stains, a simple cleaning with a soft brush may be all that is required. You then have two options.
If you wish, you can wash your polyester canopy in a washing machine.
To wash the polyester canopy of your Belveo umbrella in the washing machine, first close all the zips. Wash your fabric in cold water on a gentle cycle with a normal amount of mild detergent. For stubborn mildew stains, add 6 cl of bleach. Let it air dry.
For an ecological cleaning, you'll need to prepare a solution of 1 litre of warm water and soda crystals or white vinegar.
Take a soft brush of your choice, soak it in the mixture, and apply to the entire fabric. Rinse with a sponge of clear water and a jet of water and leave to dry before closing.
In both cases, remember to clean the seams and corners of the parasol.
If after several attempts to wash the parasol you still cannot get rid of a stubborn stain, we recommend that you apply a special textile stain remover before cleaning with soap and water.
If the stain still persists, it would seem advisable to simply change the canopy.
How to prevent the canopy from being damaged?
First of all, we recommend that you always take care to follow the dedicated treatment.
Secondly, we encourage you to adopt a number of maintenance habits to avoid the appearance of mould on the fabric or the deformation of your furniture and to ensure that it provides you with the best protection against the sun.
Never store the parasol umbrella while it is still wet. Let the parasol dry outdoor on the patio at home before folding it or storing it in a clean, dry cover.
We recommend that you check that there are no live animals in the cover before storing it to give it a very good life span.
It is preferable to store the parasol umbrella for the winter, so as not to weaken it with the cold, in a dry place where the air circulates abundantly. Also remember to waterproof your parasol cover to protect it from the elements.
We suggest two effective cleaning solutions if you ever find yourself in a situation where mildew, black dust or moisture stains are already embedded in the canopy.
The first is to rub the stains with your sodium bicarbonate mixture. Then wash the polyester canopy with pine resin detergent or washing-up liquid.
The second solution is to clean the fabric with a mixture of 60 ml of soap and one cup of bleach. It is important to use bleach only if your fabric is white. You can then rinse the fabric thoroughly with a hose and leave it to dry in the open air in the garden or patio at home.
In conclusion, it is very important to clean your parasol, but keep in mind that frequent washing can dull the colours of the canopy and damage it. One wash per year can be more than enough to keep your product in perfect condition. Remember to protect yourself before you start washing, as some products can be corrosive or irritating.
Now that the cold weather is over, the sunny days are just around the corner, take out the parasol umbrella in the garden and enjoy !
We hope you find these easy tips useful, stay safe in the shade! You can now allow yourself long dinners and summer picnics on the garden cushions.
