You should know by now that wooden patio furniture is cared for differently than metal and resin furniture, but the same is also true for patio sets with umbrella. Even though they are classed with other outdoor furniture, by nature patio umbrellas are simply more delicate in respect, with fabric and moving parts. Learn to better care for the umbrella part and you get more bang for your buck.
How to Store Patio Sets with Umbrella
Both outdoor furniture and patio umbrellas need to be protected from bad and cold weather, but in the case of the latter, this need is even more pressing. For most patio furniture, the only time you should really store or cover them with tarps is throughout winter. But umbrellas are more delicate than chairs and tables and should be protected throughout the year. They are designed to keep out the sun, but in inclement weather cannot handle more than a light sprinkle of rain. Rough winds, downpours, hail and more are all damaging to umbrellas.
Besides merely closing your umbrella when not in use, it is highly recommended that you purchase a specially designed cover for it that is made from the same material as tarps for patio sets. With umbrella covers, the vinyl material is shaped like a fitted sheath that covers the canopy and frame when it's in the closed position.
During winter, you can bring umbrellas inside into storage more easily than other furniture because they take up far less room. Store them upright to avoid people stepping on and possibly damaging the frame or ribs. Keeping the vinyl tarp over your umbrella even when indoors will also protect it from dust.
How to clean the umbrella frame:
The frame consists of the following pieces, none of which should be overlooked when cleaning for checking for repairs: there's the pole, the runner hub, the top hub, the ribs, and the finial. Usually, with matching sets, the umbrella frame is the same material as the patio sets. With umbrella frames you can use pretty much the same cleaners as you would for whatever material the patio set is made out of. Wipe down the frame with a damp cloth to remove dust, dirt, etc. Tougher stains might require you to use elbow grease and soapy water, but avoid using abrasive cleaners or solvents that can damage the finish of the frame.
How to clean the umbrella canopy:
This is the most delicate part of patio sets with umbrella because the cover, or canopy is made from a fabric. And though it's a durable, waterproof canvas material, it's still not as strong as the rest of your set. There are two methods for cleaning the canopy, one by keeping it on the frame and the other by removing it.
For cleaning right on the umbrella, open it up and lay the canopy down on a drop cloth or towel. This will keep the canopy from touching the ground where it could just get dirtier. Because these canopies are made from a durable, tear- and waterproof canvas material, you can hose it clean, or scrub tougher stains (like bird droppings) with soapy water. But make sure the umbrella is completely dry before closing it, as trapped moisture can lead to mold.
The second method of cleaning umbrella covers is by removing it from the frame and tossing it in the washing machine. This, however should be reserved for only the most dirty of canopies as it is both a hassle and more expensive. That's because most canopies won't fit in your private washing machine, so you will have to take it to a commercial Laundromat with bigger machines. However, only certain materials are strong enough to withstand being machine washed, like Sunbrella and Olefin fabrics. If you don't know what your cover is made out of, it's best to skip machine washing altogether or you might risk your cover falling apart. As a final note on machine washing, be sure to let the canopy air dry, never put it in the dryer.
