Sunbrella® Fabric Cleaning
Sunbrella® fabric should be cleaned regularly before substances such as dirt, particles, etc. are allowed to accumulate and become embedded in the fabric. Hose off fabrics on at least a monthly basis with clear water to avoid accumulation.
If you take down your canvas during the winter season, you should clean it, allow it to air dry, and store it in a well-ventilated area.
If you need to do a vigorous cleaning, you can do this once every two or three years depending on how quickly your canvas gets dirty (more if it is up year round and less if you take it down in the winter). The fabric can be cleaned without removing it from the frame or boat. Simply brush off any loose dirt, particles, etc.; hose down and clean it with a mild, natural soap such as a liquid dish soap (not a detergent) in lukewarm (not hot!) water, and use a soft bristled brush to clean. Let the soap sink in. Rinse the canvas thoroughly to remove all of the soap. Air dry.
If you have very stubborn stains you can use diluted chlorine bleach and soap mixture (no more that ½ cup of bleach and ¼ cup mild, natural soap (not a detergent) per gallon of warm (not hot) water. Use a soft bristled brush to clean and let the mixture soak for 15 minutes or so if necessary. Rinse the canvas thoroughly with cold water to remove all of the bleach and soap. Air dry. Excessive soaking in bleach will can deteriorate threads, so be sure to get your canvas restitched if necessary.
Sometimes a thorough cleaning will remove part of the water repellency that your canvas came with. After the canvas is cleaned and dry, you can reapply an air-curing treatment such as 303 Fabric Guard® or Aqua-Tite®.
When you clean Sunbrella® fabrics, always use a mild, natural soap (like dishsoap) and never a detergent. Do not use HOT water (never more that 100*), and do not apply heat since it will shrink the fabric. Do not steam press or dry in a dryer. Always make sure that the Sunbrella® is completely air dried.
If you have a small cover and you use a washing machine to wash the fabric, do not use a detergent and wash and rinse using cold water. Do NOT use the dryer or your Sunbrella® fabric will shrink. Always air dry. You will need to reapply a water repellant after using a washing machine.