Outdoor Fabric Care & Cleaning
Our Indoor/Outdoor Throw Pillows are made with Agora or Sunbrella fabrics. Below is a care guide and stain chart to keep your products in great shape and how to deal with spills and stains.
Remember that although indoor/outdoor fabrics are robust with great qualities such as water, stain, mould and fade resistance they should be kept clean, salt and dirt free to prolong their life.
Try This First... With a New Spill on Your Indoor/Outdoor Fabric:
- Blot (don't rub) liquid spills with a clean, dry cloth.
- For oil based spills, apply an absorbent such as corn starch, then remove with a straight edge.
- Spray on a mild cleaning solution of soap and water.
- Rinse the fabric thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Air dry.
Try This Next... If Your First Try Doesn't Get the Spill Completely Out:
- Apply a light mist of mild soap and water using a spray bottle.
- Work the solution into the stain by lightly agitating the entire surface area of the fabric, moving from seam to seam, with a sponge or very soft bristle brush. Avoid scrubbing, and do not use a hard-bristled brush or anything that will abrade the fabric.
- Rinse the entire fabric thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Blot excess moisture with a clean, soft towel or sponge.
- Blot or wet-vacuum excess water from the entire surface area of the fabric, moving from seam to seam.
- Air dry. Repeat rinsing and blotting until all soap residue is removed.
Cleaning Removable Fabrics
Hand Washing
Soak fabric in a solution of 1/4 cup mild soap per 4 litres of lukewarm water. Use a sponge or very soft bristle brush to lightly agitate the stain. Then rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue and allow fabric to air dry.
Machine Washing
Some removable casings can be washed in the washing machine. However, consult the furniture manufacturer before removing the casing as cushion construction may vary. To wash, first close all zippers. Machine wash in cold water on the delicate cycle with normal amounts of mild laundry detergent. For severe mould or mildew, add 1 cup of bleach. Allow fabric to air dry.
Cleaning Non-Removable Fabrics
Prepare a solution of 1/4 cup mild soap per 4 litres of lukewarm water. Use a soft bristle brush to clean, allowing the cleaning solution to soak into the fabric. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue and allow fabric to air dry.
For best results when cleaning upholstered pieces, clean the entire surface area of the fabric, from seam to seam, instead of rubbing the fabric in a circular motion on the spill. This method, along with an extractor, may be required in order to avoid water rings and residue.
This chart contains recommended cleaning methods for products made with our indoor/outdoor fabrics.
Oil Based Stains
If a stubborn oil based stain persists after cleaning treat with a degreaser and rinse thoroughly.
Mould and Mildew
Sunbrella fabrics do not promote mildew growth, however, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances if not removed from the fabric. To remove mould or mildew:
- Prepare a solution of 1 cup of bleach and 1/4 cup mild soap per 4 litres of water.
- Spray on entire area and allow to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes.
- Clean entire surface area with a sponge, clean towel or very soft bristle brush.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Air dry.
Stain Chart
Specific information on spill cleaning is also available at sunbrella.com/cleaningguide
| Stain | Recommended cleaning solutions |
|---|---|
| Beer | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water / white vinegar (90ml.) |
| Berry | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water / ammonia (120-240ml.) |
| Bird droppings | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water or grease remover (mix as directed) |
| Blood (dried) | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water / ammonia (120-240ml.) |
| Butter | Volatile solvent (acetone) 100% |
| Charcoal, pencil marks | Vacuum, then Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water |
| Catsup or mustard | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water |
| Chewing gum | Volatile solvent (acetone) 100% |
| Chocolate | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water / ammonia (120ml.) |
| Coffee | Dawn dishwashing liquid / water, white vinegar, volatile solvent (acetone) |
| Cola | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water |
| Crayon | Paint remover (100%), oil or grease remover (mix as directed) |
| Egg (raw) | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water |
| Grape juice | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water |
| Gravy | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water |
| Grease (car) | Volatile solvent (acetone) 100% |
| Ink | Paint remover (100%), volatile solvent (acetone) 100%, soap and water |
| Lipstick | Paint remover, oil or grease remover (mix as directed) |
| Mascara | Paint remover (100%), volatile solvent (acetone-100%), Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water |
| Mildew | Bleach (1 cup) / Dawn dishwashing liquid (2 oz.) / 4l water |
| Milk | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water |
| Nail polish | Volatile solvent (acetone) 100% |
| Oil | Volatile solvent (acetone) 100% |
| Orange drink | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water |
| Paint (latex) wet | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l 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 oil detergent / water (mix as directed) |
| Tea | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water |
| Tomato Juice | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water |
| Tree sap | Turpentine (100%), Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water |
| Urine | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water / white vinegar (90ml.) |
| Vomit | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water / white vinegar (90ml.) |
| Water color | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water / white vinegar (90ml.) |
| Wax (candle) | Apply heated iron over towel, volatile solvent (acetone) 100% |
| Wine | Dawn dishwashing liquid (60ml.) / 4l water / ammonia (120-240ml.) / white vinegar (90ml.) |