How To Clean Your Garden Parasol

Updated: 01/04/26

Cleaning your garden parasol seems like a simple task, but it’s important to do it right to prolong the life of your parasol. When your parasol is open, it is exposed to the elements, bird droppings and more. Over time, your canopy will begin to look dirty and may even have the occasional stain.

Figuring out the best way to clean your garden parasol can seem like a chore. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to make cleaning your parasol as simple as possible. Cleaning your parasol before summer helps maintain your parasol's integrity and keeps your garden looking great.

If you just want to get to a quick how to guide without all the text, Click here to skip to the How To Guide.

Why cleaning your parasol matters

Cleaning your garden parasol is about more than simply maintaining its appearance. Keeping your parasol clean is a key part of prolonging the lifespan of your parasol. Some of the benefits of cleaning your parasol are:

• Prevents mould and mildew from building up on the fabric

• Extends the lifespan of the canopy by reducing wear and tear

• Prevents a buildup of dirt and bird droppings

• Protects your investment

We would advise you to clean your parasol at least once in the summer and again before you store it in the winter. Canopies can be easily removed to make cleaning easier. 

What you need to clean your garden parasol

To clean your garden parasol canopy you will need a few things.

• Clean soft bristled brush

• Bucket of lukewarm water

• Clean cloth or sponge

• Mild detergent

• Garden hose

When choosing a soap you can use dish soap but we recommend mild laundry detergent as it is better at treating stains and doesn't produce as many bubbles.

One thing to consider when cleaning the canopy is the weather. It is best to do this on a warm sunny day as your canopy will dry quicker.

Get your parasol Summer ready

We would recommend that you always clean your parasol before storing or covering it for Winter. However, when the weather is dropping colder the last thing you want to do is be out in the garden cleaning your garden parasol. Giving your parasol a pre-summer clean will remove any dirt build up or stains that have happened over Winter.

Now we know it might seem like a chore and you might think “I’ll just throw the canopy in the washing machine”. Please do not do that! Putting your parasol cloth in the washing machine will damage the strength of your parasol. Machine washing will begin to damage the water-repellent coating.

Let’s get down to business, here’s what you need to do to clean your outdoor parasol canopy.

Remove your canopy

First, remove your canopy from the parasol frame. Most canopies are removed in the same way and can be lifted off from the spokes. To clean your parasol canopy lay it in a shaded area as the sun could cause the soap to dry up too quickly.

Remove dirt & debris

With your soft bristled brush brush the canopy to remove dust and debris. We advise you to gently brush the canopy, if you are too aggressive the dirt will become harder to remove.

Time to get out the soap

Next, you need to mix your lukewarm water with mild detergent. Use your clean cloth or sponge to work the soap mixture into the canopy. Some stains might require a bit more cleaning. If you haven't cleaned your parasol for a while leave the soap mixture on the canopy for around 10-20 minutes before removing it.

Get out the hose

Get your hose ready and rinse the canopy to remove all the soap, ensuring that you thoroughly rinse the canopy. If you don’t have a hose you can just use a bucket of clean water.

Let it dry

Finally, it’s time to let your parasol dry. Move your garden parasol canopy to a sunny spot and leave it to dry. You could reattach the canopy to the frame and leave your parasol open in the sun to dry off.

What not to do when cleaning your parasol

When cleaning your parasol, it is important to avoid certain cleaning methods as they can damage your parasol. Damage usually occurs during incorrect cleaning processes.

Never put your parasol canopy in a washing machine. Many customers ask us this, and we always say the same thing. If you machine wash your canopy, the water-repellent coating will begin to deteriorate over time. Not only that, but the stitching can be weakened by the spinning process.

We also advise you to avoid any harsh chemicals such as bleach. Harsh cleaning chemicals will break down the canopy's fibres and leave permanent stains.

While a pressure washer may seem like a quick and easy option for cleaning, it can cause an issue. The high force of the water can cause small tears in the canopy. So it is important that if you still choose to use a pressure washer, you do so on the lowest setting and at a good distance away from the canopy.

As parasol specialists, we acknowledge that parasol fabrics are designed to create a fine balance between durability and weather resistance. Using aggressive cleaning methods will disrupt this and potentially lead to irreversible damage. You should always take a gentle approach to cleaning your parasol; this will help maintain both appearance and performance.

Protecting your parasol

Garden furniture and parasols are an investment; it’s important to look after them. Following these simple steps will guarantee that your parasol looks newer for longer.

We always recommend the use of a parasol cover, they protect your parasol against the elements, bird droppings and garden debris. They’ll also help reduce how much cleaning you need to do in Spring!

Can't be bothered to read all that text? Don't worry! Read below for our shorter step-by-step guide.

1. Remove the canopy from the parasol frame and lay it in a shaded area

2. Gently brush the parasol to remove dust and dirt

3. With your detergent and water mix clean the canopy with a clean cloth

4. If you have tougher stains leave the soap mix on the canopy for 10-20 mins

5. Thoroughly rinse your canopy with a hose

6. Move your canopy to a sunny area and let the canopy dry

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I leave my parasol open during rainfall?

A: There is a common misconception that parasols can act as umbrellas; this is not true. Parasols are designed for sunlight, not rainfall. If you choose to sit outdoors during a rainy spell, you may notice small amounts of water coming through the canopy; this is normal.

Q: What is the best cleaning solution for a parasol canopy?

A: The best cleaning solution is a mix of warm water and mild detergent or mild dish soap.

Q: What is the best way to store my parasol?

A: Parasols are designed to stay outdoors all year round, even during winter. The best way to store your parasol is to use a protective cover. 

Q: Can I put my parasol canopy in the washing machine?

A: No, we do not advise you to machine wash your parasol canopy. Doing so will damage the fabric and remove the protective coatings.

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