A Complete Guide to Sunbrella Fabric Care

When it comes to design, durability, and easy maintenance, Sunbrella fabric reigns as the #1 trusted outdoor upholstery brand. Here’s your complete guide to cleaning and maintaining this highly-sought-after fabric for outdoors.

What is Sunbrella fabric?

Sunbrella is known for their high quality outdoor upholstery. Made of 100% solution-dyed acrylic, Sunbrella performance fabric is ideal for outdoor furniture, indoor furniture, cushions, pillows, awnings, umbrellas, and more. We chose Sunbrella fabric for all of Neighbor’s outdoor cushion covers, because these innovative fabric fibers are fade-proof, easy to wash, easy to maintain, and long lasting. Sunbrella outdoor cushions transform your outdoor patio or balcony into an oasis with luxury level comfort.

What makes Sunbrella different?

You could say Sunbrella fabric is perfectly engineered for outdoor use. Durable yet beautifully-designed, Sunbrella fabric is unparalleled by other outdoor fabrics. Manufactured by the parent company, Glen Raven Inc., Sunbrella fabric is among the longest lasting upholstery available. All Sunbrella fabric comes with a 5-year warranty. With Neighbor’s high quality, modern teak outdoor furniture and Sunbrella fabric, you won’t have to replace your patio set for years to come.

We also like that Sunbrellas manufacturing process is sustainable and supports the environment, aligning with Neighbor’s commitment to finding materials that are sustainably-sourced and responsibly harvested. With Sunbrella fabric, you don’t have to sacrifice beauty or comfort for top-of-the-line performance and sustainability. With thousands of style and color varieties, Sunbrella sustainable fabric resembles quality indoor furniture, soft to the touch, functional, and stylish.

Cleaning Sunbrella solution-dyed acrylic fabric

It’s easier than you think to keep Sunbrella fabrics and cushion covers clean. All Sunbrella fabrics are stain-resistant and won’t lose their integrity when washed with harsh chemicals. Neighbor cushion covers can be removed and machine-washed regularly.

Regular maintenance

To keep your cushions looking new, simply brush them off a soft bristle brush to remove loose dirt, dust or debris. It’s best to brush dirt off or use a vacuum to remove debris before it becomes embedded in the fabric. Regular maintenance is the easiest way to keep your furniture clean and reduce the frequency of deep cleanings. In general, avoid abrasive cleaning methods, like hard bristle brushes and harsh scrubbing. A soft bristle brush, towel or sponge is a gentle yet effective solution.

Cleaning spills

Spilled red wine on your Sunbrella cushion? No problem. Sunbrella fabric is stain-resistant and made to withstand spills, accidents, pets, kids, and everything in between. To clean a spill on your Sunbrella fabric, treat the stain right away. Sunbrella fabric can withstand a range of products, from mild cleanings with dish soap to deep cleanings with bleach and stronger chemicals. Most spills can be soaked up with a clean, dry cloth, towel, or sponge.

For fresh spills:

• Combine ¼ cup of Woolite or Dawn dishwashing liquid and ⅓ cup white vinegar per 1 gallon water.
• Spray the solution onto the stained area, or use a sponge or soft bristle brush to clean the spot.
• Allow the solution to soak into fabric, then rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
• Leave the fabric to air dry, then enjoy your clean cushion again.

For wine spills or other deep-colored spills:

• Combine ¼ cup dishwashing liquid, ⅓ cup white vinegar and ½ cup (to 1 cup) isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide per each gallon of water.
• Use a soft bristle brush to help penetrate the cleaning solution. Allow the solution to soak into fabric, then rinse thoroughly to remove all residue.
• Leave the fabric to air dry, then enjoy your clean cushion again.

For oil-based stains, such as grease, paint, lotions, dressings or condiments:

• Immediately apply cornstarch to the stain to absorb the grease. Remove any excess cornstarch with a straight edge or ruler.
• Leave the cornstarch to sit for 10 minutes. Create a cleaning solution of dishwashing liquid and water, and apply the solution to the area.
• Use a sponge or soft bristle brush to clean the surface. Rinse the surface thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
• Leave the fabric to air dry.

Removing stains

If you’re having a harder time removing dirt or a spill form your fabric, here’s what we suggest:

• Mix 1 cup of bleach with ¼ cup of mild soap per gallon of water.
• Spray the affected area with the cleaning solution and allow it to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes.
• Clean the spot with a sponge, towel or very soft bristle brush. (Skip this step if you’re cleaning the coated side (underside) of Sunbrella Plus, Supreme or Clarity.)
• Rinse the area thoroughly to remove all soap residue. Leave the cushion out to air dry. For more severe stains, add more bleach. Clean the entire surface of the fabric to avoid leaving water rings or stains behind.

Washing Sunbrella cushion covers

Sunbrella removable fabrics, such as cushions and pillow covers, may be hand washed, machine washed, or professionally cleaned.

Washing removable fabrics by hand

To hand-wash removable Sunbrella fabrics:

• Create a cleaning solution with ¼ cup mild soap per each gallon of lukewarm water. Remove the fabric and soak it in the solution for 10 minutes.
• Use a sponge or very soft bristle brush to lightly agitate the stain and pull it out of the fabric.
• Rinse the fabric thoroughly to remove all soap residue. Allow the fabric to air dry.
• Some removable Sunbrella fabrics can be washed in the washing machine. Before machine washing your fabric, consult with our team at Neighbor to determine whether your fabric can be machine washed. 

For machine-washable Sunbrella fabrics:

• Pre-treat areas that may have deep stains. For mild stains, use a dishwashing liquid solution. For deeper stains, use a bleach solution.
• Machine wash the fabric in cold water on a delicate cycle. Add the typical amount of laundry detergent.
• Once done, leave the removable fabric to air dry.

Professionally cleaning removable fabrics:

• Before getting your Sunbrella fabric professionally cleaned, consult with the cleaning firm to assess their experience with Sunbrella fabrics. You want to make sure that the firm has knowledge and previous experience cleaning Sunbrella acrylic, and that your pieces are in good hands.
• Sunbrella Sheer fabrics are the only fabrics that can be dry cleaned. Do not dry clean any other removable Sunbrella fabrics.

Washing outdoor fabrics

Both removable and non-removable outdoor Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned and restored by hand washing or unzipping the cushion cover and machine washing.

Cleaning removable outdoor fabrics

To hand wash removable outdoor Sunbrella fabrics: 

• Soak the fabric in a diluted solution of ¼ cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water.
• Use a sponge or very soft bristle brush to lightly agitate the stain, then rinse the fabric thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
• Leave the fabric to air dry.

For outdoor Sunbrella fabrics approved for machine washing:

• Remove the casing and keep all zippers closed.
• Machine wash the fabric in cold water on a delicate cycle. Use the typical amount of mild laundry detergent that you would use for clothing.
• For severe stains or spots, add 1 cup of bleach to the cycle. Once done, leave the fabric to air day.

Cleaning non-removable outdoor fabrics

• For Sunbrella fabrics that cannot be removed from furniture, create a solution of ¼ cup mild dishwashing soap per gallon of lukewarm water.
• Using a soft bristle brush, agitate the area gently and allow the cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
• Once clean, rinse the fabric thoroughly to ensure that all soap residue is gone, and leave the fabric out to air dry.

Seam-to-seam cleaning

• For non-removable, upholstered Sunbrella pieces, clean the fabric seam-to-seam. Mix lukewarm water, mild soap and/or bleach for deeper stains to clean the entire surface of the fabric.
• Do not rub the solution in circles. Instead, spray the entire surface with the cleaning solution and allow it to soak into the fabric for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Clean the entire surface with a towel, sponge, or very soft bristle brush.
• Once done, rinse the surface thoroughly to remove all soap residue and leave it to air dry. Seam-to-seam cleaning may be best used alongside an extractor to prevent water rings from forming, or leaving residue behind.

Cleaning mold or mildew

Sunbrella fabrics are resistant to mold and mildew growth, which is one of the key advantages of Sunbrella fabric. The durable fibers of Sunbrella fabric are well-known to be safe for kids, pets, and the whole family. However, dirt or debris left on the fabric (like leaves or branches) can grow mold or mildew. To prevent this, be sure to maintain your outdoor furniture by regularly cleaning outdoor cushions and dusting off the fabric. In cases of mold growth, perform a deep cleaning of the fabric using a diluted solution of lukewarm water and bleach.

• Mix 1 cup of bleach with ¼ cup mild dish soap per gallon of lukewarm water.
• Spray the entire surface of the fabric with the cleaning solution to prevent water rings. Allow the solution to penetrate for 15 minutes.
• Clean the whole surface with a sponge, clean towel or soft bristle brush.
• Rinse the entire surface thoroughly to remove any leftover soap residue.
• Leave the fabric to air dry. If the mold growth is severe, increase bleach quantities in the solution.

Top tips to keep Sunbrella fabrics clean year-round

It doesn't take much effort to keep your Sunbrella oasis clean and ready for gatherings year-round. (Once your friends and family get a feel for your new outdoor space, they may drop by more than usual.)

Use these top 5 tips to keep your outdoor area as inviting and comfortable as it’s designed to be.

1. When placing your Sunbrella fabric furniture, keep these pieces away from trees, shrubs, and plants and flowers that pollinate heavily.
2. Give your furry friends a separate area to relax.
3. Be cautious when drinking dark-colored beverages or foods that stain.
4. Maintain your furniture regularly by dusting pieces off after each use.
5. Use a patio cover to further protect your outdoor sanctuary.

It’s inevitable that your cushions and fabrics will experience outdoor elements. After all, it’s outdoor furniture. That’s why Neighbor uses Sunbrella fabric throughout the Haven outdoor furniture collection. Sunbrella is precisely-engineered to endure almost any situation. It’s life-proof. As long as you aren’t on a path of destruction, you can treat its condition. And in cases where you can’t reverse damage, you’re covered with a 5-year warranty. You don’t have to stress with Neighbor outdoor furniture.

When it comes to outdoor furniture, here’s why fabric matters

Neighbor provides only the best quality of outdoor furniture, from outdoor rugs to outdoor seating, dining, and accessories to complete your sanctuary. All of our hardware is marine-grade to withstand exposure to the open ocean. Needless to say, they can endure any level of rain or sun exposure.

We’re committed to innovative design, modern engineering, high-quality materials, sustainability, and dedicated customer service. We have pieces that you won’t have to replace in a year - or the next year. (Or the year after that.) Spend less on outdoor furniture, while elevating your space, and reducing your environmental impact. Shop beautifully-designed outdoor furniture with indoor sophistication.