One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella fabrics looking good and to delay deep or vigorous cleanings is to properly maintain the fabrics. This can be accomplished by simply brushing off dirt before it becomes embedded in the fabrics, wiping up spills as soon as they occur or spot cleaning soon after stains occur.
Try this first... With a new spill on your Sunbrella 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 (such as Dawn® or Woolite®) 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.
Though Sunbrella fabrics can be used both outdoors and in, your cleaning methods should differ slightly indoors and out because of the fabrication and manufacturing of the furniture.
We recommend using the appropriate cleaning instructions for your application.
Stamoid® Marine composite fabrics benefit from the Stamtop® surface treatment which guarantees dirt resistance. As with any other material exposed to the elements, regular maintenance must de done.
Cleaning should be done according to frequency of use and exposure of the product. We recommend regular cleaning, at least four times a year, to clear out dirt caused by atmospheric pollution.
Stamoid® Marine composite fabrics should be cleaned as set out in our maintenance notice, see below.
For wooden boats, in order to avoid any migration risks, it is essential to avoid all contact between the coated side of the fabric and the boat's protective wood varnish.
Spread the fabric out on a flat surface. Dampen the fabric with clean water. Spray on Ferrari® Clean or add a diluted solution of gentle liquid soap.
Leave to act for 2 or 3 minutes according to degree of dirt.
Use a natural bristle brush to brush out to the edges.
Rinse with a lot of clean water to remove all traces of the soapy solution. If the product comes in contact with other materials, rinse immediately.
In case of severe dirt and grime, repeat the cleaning process.
Repeat steps 1 to 5 on the reverse side of the fabric.
Hang up the Stamoid® Marine textile and leave until completely dry.
As soon as the textile is completely dry, you can put it back in place to protect your boat.
• Brush off dirt immediately. Allowing it to remain on the cover can result in it getting more deeply embedded into the fabric. Dirt is an organic matter and can provide a habitat for mold and mildew spores to grow.
• Periodically hose down your cover. Rain water can provide rinsing action but often can be a carrier for organic matter as well.
• WeatherMAX is treated with a durable water repellent when it is manufactured. This finish is designed to last for several years but the life span of the repellent can be diminished from several factors such as abrasion, cleaning, chemicals and other atmospheric pollutants. Periodically check to see how well water beads on the fabric. If water drops do not bead but instead flatten and possible soak into the fabric, it is time to retreat the fabric. Cleaning WeatherMAX Fabrics may be spot washed by using a soapy solution of a mild detergent and lukewarm water. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove soap and allow to air dry. For mildew stains, prepare a solution of one (1) cup of bleach plus (1/2) cup of mild detergent per gallon of water. Spray on the entire area and allow soaking. Rinse with clean water and allow to air dry
• Be sure to fully rinse the bleach off the fabric
• Protect non-WeatherMAX areas such as sewing thread and reinforcements so the bleach does not come in contact as it may be deteriorate non-WeatherMAX components. After cleaning, check the water repellency of the fabric to see if retreatment might be required. Removing Oil Oil can be effectively removed with an aerosol spot remover. We have found that Pull Out 2 by American Niagara works very well although there are other products available. Retreating WeatherMAX There are several well designed and effective aftermarket water repellent treatments available that work well with WeatherMAX. Follow the directions of the manufacturer.
• Starbrite Waterproofing with PTEF (best overall)
• Formula 303 Fabric Guard (excellent performance but might darken some colors and show folding lines)
• Rust-Oleum NeverWet Outdoor Fabric Spray
• Marlen Aqua-tite
• Kiwi Heavy Duty Water Repellent
Applying 303 High Tech Fabric Guard
303 should be applied to Sunbrella fabrics after each thorough cleaning, which typically removes the original finish and reduces the fabric’s water repellency.
Clean Sunbrella fabric, using one of the cleaning methods.
Allow Sunbrella to completely air dry.
Apply 303 Fabric Guard in a well ventilated area following instructions on the container.
Apply 303 in a thin, even coat and allow fabric to dry completely.
Apply a second thin, even coating of 303. (Two light coatings are more effective in restoring fabric water resistance than a single heavy coating. A 15-ounce bottle provides coverage of up to 50 square feet of fabric.)
Helpful hints
Protect the area around the Sunbrella fabric when using a bleach solution – bleach may discolor non-Sunbrella fabrics. Always rinse Sunbrella thoroughly to completely remove bleach.
Please be aware of the environment when cleaning with bleach. Bleach can have harmful effects on the natural environment around you. We do not advise using bleach if you are surrounded by a body of water or other environment that could be affected.
