One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella® fabrics looking good and to delay the need for deep or vigorous cleanings is to hose fabrics off on a monthly basis with clear water.This practice will help prevent dirt from becoming deeply embedded in the fabric and eliminate the need for more frequent vigorous cleanings. In most environments, a thorough cleaning will be needed every two to three months. There is no need to remove the cover from your Kush ease®.
When cleaning Sunbrella® fabrics, it is important to observe the following: - Always use a mild soap such as Dawn, Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite.
- Water should be cold to lukewarm. Never more than 100F.
- Air dry only. Never apply heat to Sunbrella fabrics.
General or Light Cleaning
To clean Sunbrella® follow these simple steps: - Brush off loose dirt.
- Hose down.
- Prepare a cleaning solution of water and mild soap such as Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite (no detergents)
- Use a soft bristle brush to clean.
- Allow cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Air dry.
- May not require retreatment depending on the age of the fabric.
If stubborn stains persist, you can use a diluted chlorine bleach/soap mixture for spot cleaning of mildew, roof run-off or other similar stains (see our Stain Chart for specific recommendations).
Heavy Cleaning for Stubborn Stains and Mildew
Sunbrella® fabric does not promote mildew growth, however, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric. To clean mildew, or other stubborn stains: - Eight ounces (one cup) of chlorine bleach.
- Two ounces (1/4 cup) of mild soap and/or detergent.
- One gallon of water.
- Clean with soft bristle brush.
- Allow mixture to soak into the fabric for up to 20 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Air dry.
- Repeat if necessary.
- Retreatment of fabric for water and stain resistance will be necessary.
Remember to protect the area around your Sunbrella® if using a bleach solution. Carpet or other fabrics that are not Sunbrella® may have an adverse reaction to the bleach.
Retreating the Fabric
As part of the finishing process, Sunbrella® fabrics are treated with a fluorocarbon finish, which enhances water repellency. This finish is designed to last for several years, but must be replenished after a thorough cleaning. Based on test results, Glen Raven recommends 303 High Tech Fabric GuardT as the preferred retreatment product for Sunbrella® fabrics. Fabrics should be retreated after thorough cleaning or after five years of use. For more information on retreatment products, please visit www.303products.com.
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.)
For more information please see www.303products.com.
Professional Cleaners
You may have access to professional cleaning firms. In evaluating the services of a professional firm, you should inquire about a firm's experience in working with Sunbrella® fabrics and knowledge of cleaning and retreatment requirements. DO NOT dry clean Sunbrella® fabrics.
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.
- Sunbrella® air dries very quickly.
- Use of bleach and/or advanced age of the fabric application may impact the deterioration of the sewing thread and other non-Sunbrella® components.
Marine Interiors
One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella® brand 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 imbedded in the fabrics, wiping up spills as soon as they occur or spot cleaning soon after stains occur. - Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Air dry.
Do not use a steamer or an iron with steam setting on Kush ease® Furniture
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