Caring For Patio Sets With Umbrella

Caring For Patio Sets With Umbrella

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Proper maintenance is the key to keeping outdoor furniture looking its best for years to come, but while most people know the basics on cleaning wood and metal furniture, they are stumped when it comes to patio sets with umbrella. That's because the moving parts and fabric canopy require completely different upkeep than the sturdier parts of the furniture. Learn to better care for the umbrella part and you get more bang for your buck.

Cleaning patio sets with umbrella

The Frame: Cleaning the frame of a patio umbrella is much the same as cleaning the rest of your patio set. Typically, the frame, (which consists of the pole, the runner hub, the top hub, the ribs and the finial) is made out of the same material as the rest of your patio set so you can use the same products you would for that. Wipe down the frame with a damp cloth to remove dust, dirt, etc. For tougher stains, you can try soap and water, but don't use anything much more abrasive as it could ruin the finish of the umbrella.

The Canopy: To clean the canopy portion of your patio sets with umbrella, you can either leave it on the umbrella or take it off. For cleaning right on the umbrella, open it up and lay the canopy down on a drop cloth or towel. Try to avoid the canopy ever touching the ground directly.

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. Make sure to leave the umbrella open to dry completely so that it does not accumulate mold.

On the other hand, many canopies can also be removed for machine washing, but this is only recommended if your umbrella is really dirty. That's because most canopies are too large to fit in your home washer, so you would have to take it to a Laundromat to be cleaned.

However, only certain materials are strong enough to withstand being machine washed, like Sunbrella and Olefin fabrics. If you are unsure what your umbrella cover is made out of, don't leave it up to chance. As a final note on machine washing, be sure to let the canopy air dry, never put it in the dryer.

Storing Patio Sets with Umbrella
During the wintertime, all of your patio furniture should either be brought inside into storage, or at the very least covered with tight-fitting, waterproof tarps. But umbrellas are more delicate than chairs and tables and should be protected throughout the year. Even though the canopies keep out both the sun and the rain, don't leave it open for more than a mild sprinkle. Rough winds, downpours, hail and more are all damaging to umbrellas.

In addition to just keeping your umbrellas closed during bad weather or during winter, the best course of action is to purchase a protective cover like you would for patio sets. With umbrella covers, the material is the same as other outdoor furniture. It's usually composed of some durable vinyl crafted into a fitted sheath that fits securely over the umbrella when it is in the closed position.

If you bring your umbrella inside into storage, make sure never to lay it down as someone stepping on it could damage the ribs. Keeping the vinyl tarp over your umbrella even when indoors will also protect it from dust.

About the Author:
Todd Arend is a freelance writing professional whose expertise covers a variety of areas, including patio and backyard furniture, landscaping and design. He regularly writes about Patio Sets With Umbrella and Auto Tilt Umbrella.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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