How to maintain your parasol to extend its life span?

At Belveo, our main motivation is to offer quality, innovative, and durable outdoor furniture for spaces such as the garden, terrace, or patio.

This is achieved through our patented windproof system, which prevents the frame of parasol umbrellas or cantilever parasols from breaking in the wind, but also through the care you give to your parasol to make it last even longer!

This article is intended to guide you through the best practices for maintaining your windproof parasol, its canopy, base, and pole.

How to clean your outdoor parasol?

Your patio or garden parasol remains outdoors for a good part of the year, so it is normal for it to get dirty from dust, bird droppings, pollen, etc. Here are some tips on how to clean your parasol from top to bottom.

How to clean your parasol canopy?

The canopy is obviously the most exposed part of the parasol, both to the sun and the moon. We, therefore, advise you to keep it in good condition since its main function is to provide shade when the weather warms up and the sun is shining.

The canopy is the part that needs great attention in terms of maintenance. First and foremost, it is important to read the label of your canopy to know the rules to follow.

Firstly, when you need to clean the canopy of your parasol umbrella or cantilever parasol, we recommend you detach it from its frame and make sure to place it on a smooth surface to avoid tearing it.

You can start by sweeping the fabric with a feather duster to remove most of the residue that might be on it. Then, if there are no particular stains on the canopy, dry cleaning with a brush may be sufficient.

If the canopy requires more thorough cleaning, we suggest two effective techniques :

The first technique is to use the equivalent of a glass of washing soda and dilute it in a liter of hot water. Apply it to the canopy, scrub it with a brush, then make sure to rinse it directly with clean water and leave the fabric to dry in the open air.

For the second technique, you will need to mix half a liter of white vinegar with 3 tablespoons of baking soda. Spread this solution over the cover and leave it on for a short time (15 minutes). Then, as with the first technique, rinse the cover with clean water and leave it to dry thoroughly. 

In both cases, we recommend that you wear gloves to protect your skin. We also strongly advise against the use of solvents, detergents, or any other abrasive product that could weaken your fabric and be harmful to your health. 

How to clean the plastic base of your parasol?

When cleaning the base of your parasol umbrella or cantilever parasol, if it is made of plastic like most of the bases offered by Belveo at a reasonable price, we recommend cleaning it by rubbing it with baking soda or white vinegar, again wearing gloves for your protection.

How to clean the pole?

Finally, to clean the pole of your garden or patio umbrella, you have two options: you can simply wipe it with a sponge or cloth, or you can use soapy water.

Precautions to be taken

Cleaning your garden or patio umbrella is certainly great, but as they say, prevention is better than cure! Here is a list of precautions to take to keep your parasol in good condition:

First of all, we advise you not to wash your parasol too often as this could weaken the fabric over time and risk discoloring it. Cleaning it 1 to 2 times a year is sufficient!

Then, for those of you who have a parasol with a steel pole, we encourage you to apply an anti-rust product to reduce humidity. 

After cleaning, you have two options for protecting your garden or patio parasol : On the one hand, you can sprinkle potassium silicate on the canopy. On the other hand, you can spray a waterproofing product, alum stone, or even hair lacquer on the canopy.

Finally, to avoid getting mold on the fabric of your cantilever parasol, it is strongly recommended not to close a parasol if it is damp. Simply leave it open during the day and wait until it is completely dry before folding it.

Then, be sure to place it in a protective cover to protect it from dust and sun, and store it indoors in a storage room until the weather becomes warmer and the days get sunnier. 

In conclusion, maintaining your outdoor parasol is essential for extending its lifespan and ensuring its optimal performance. Belveo is dedicated to providing high-quality, innovative, and durable outdoor furniture, including parasol umbrellas and cantilever parasols.