Sunbrella® Fabric Care: Cleaning, Stains, Tears & Sun Fade — Straight From the Source

Sunbrella® is the fabric we reach for on most of the awnings, boat tops, and outdoor cushions that leave our Seguin shop — and the storefront awnings in the photo are a perfect example of what well-built Sunbrella looks like years after install: deep color, crisp scallops, and tight tension.

But fabric this good only stays this good if you take care of it. We pulled together the most-asked questions from Sunbrella's official help center and answered them in the same plain-English way we'd explain it across the counter.

Are Sunbrella fabrics stain-resistant and easy to clean?

Yes. Sunbrella performance fabrics are engineered for everyday spills — sunscreen, BBQ sauce, red wine, kid juice, coffee. The fibers are solution-dyed acrylic with a built-in water and stain repellent finish, so most spills bead on the surface long enough for you to blot them up before they soak in.

For routine cleaning, mild soap (Dawn or Woolite), lukewarm water, and a soft brush is all you need. Rinse thoroughly so no soap film dries into the fabric.

Are Sunbrella fabrics fade resistant in natural light?

Sunbrella is one of the most fade-resistant fabrics on the market because the color is locked into the fiber before it's woven — not printed on top. That's why a 10-year-old Sunbrella awning in the South Texas sun still has color, while cheap printed canvas of the same age looks chalky and gray.

In rooms with a lot of natural light (sunrooms, big west-facing windows), Sunbrella holds its color far better than standard upholstery fabrics. Outside, darker colors (blues, blacks, dark greens) still outlast warm tones (reds, yellows, terracotta) — UV breaks down warm-tone pigments faster regardless of fabric quality.

Can I use a fabric protector on Sunbrella?

Yes — and Sunbrella specifically recommends 303® High Tech Fabric Guard. It's the only protector Sunbrella endorses for restoring the factory water and stain repellency.

Apply 303 after any deep cleaning and every couple of years on awnings, boat tops, and cushions that live outside. Make sure the fabric is clean and bone-dry first, then spray a light, even coat in a well-ventilated area.

Do different stains require different cleaning methods?

They do. The general rule is: blot first, identify the stain, then match the cleaner.

• Light dirt & general grime: mild soap + lukewarm water, rinse well.
• Greasy stains (sunscreen, BBQ, salad dressing): a degreaser like Dawn, worked in with a soft brush, rinsed thoroughly.
• Wine, juice, coffee: blot immediately, then mild soap and water. Older stains may need a diluted bleach solution.
• Mold or mildew: see below.

Sunbrella publishes a full stain chart on their site — if it's an unusual stain (ink, paint, grease), look it up before you guess.

How can I fix a tear in Sunbrella fabric?

For small tears (under about 3 inches) on a non-structural panel, you have two DIY options:

1. Seam sealant / repair tape designed for outdoor fabrics — clean, dry, press in place, and it's a respectable temporary fix.
2. Hand-sew with V-92 polyester thread and a heavy-duty needle if you're comfortable with a needle.

For anything bigger — or any tear on a seam or structural edge — bring it in. We patch and re-sew Sunbrella every week and a clean professional repair is almost invisible compared to a DIY patch.

How do I remove mold and mildew?

Sunbrella fiber itself doesn't grow mildew — but mildew can grow on dirt, pollen, and organic gunk that lands on the surface. Here's the Sunbrella-approved recipe:

Mix 1 cup of bleach + 1/4 cup of mild soap per gallon of warm water. Spray on, let it soak for about 15 minutes, scrub gently with a soft brush, rinse thoroughly, and air dry.

Don't be shy with the bleach — Sunbrella is bleach-cleanable because the color is solution-dyed, not surface-printed. Always re-treat with 303 Fabric Guard afterward, since deep cleaning strips the factory repellent.

How do Sunbrella interior performance fabrics hold up indoors?

Great. The same fade and stain resistance that makes Sunbrella the king of awnings makes it a fantastic choice for indoor sofas, dining chairs, and high-traffic family rooms. Pets, kids, sunny windows — Sunbrella interiors are built for it.

How should I clean pet messes?

Pet messes are the same playbook as any organic stain: pick up the solids, blot the liquid (don't rub it in), then mild soap and water. For lingering odor, the bleach + soap + water solution above is safe on Sunbrella and will neutralize most of it.

How UV-resistant is Sunbrella?

Most Sunbrella awning and marine fabrics carry a 10-year limited warranty against loss of color and strength from normal UV exposure — and in our experience they routinely outlast that warranty in the Texas sun. Sunbrella Shade collection (the heavier-duty stuff we use on sail shades and big patio covers) is rated even higher.

Is Sunbrella machine washable?

Smaller items like throw pillow covers and removable cushion covers — yes, on a delicate, cold-water cycle with mild detergent. Always air-dry. Never put Sunbrella in a hot dryer; high heat can damage the repellent finish and shrink the cover.

For fixed awning panels, boat tops, and large covers, machine washing isn't realistic — clean them in place with the soap-and-water method above.

The bottom line

Sunbrella isn't magic — it's a really, really good fabric that rewards basic care. Keep it rinsed off, hit stains while they're fresh, refresh the 303 Fabric Guard every couple of years, and bring tears in before they grow. Do that and the awning, boat top, or cushion set you bought from us will look great for a long, long time.

Need a re-cover, a patch, or fresh Sunbrella by the yard? Get a quote or stop by the shop in Seguin — we'll match the fabric and walk you through care for your specific setup.

Source: Sunbrella® official help center — help.sunbrella.com. Texas Made Shade & Covers is not affiliated with Glen Raven, Inc.; Sunbrella® is a registered trademark of Glen Raven, Inc.