If you’ve invested in high-quality commercial umbrellas, keeping them clean isn’t just about appearance—it’s about protecting your investment and extending the life of the fabric.
PVC differs from Acrylic and Polyester canvas in that it is not woven into a breathable fabric. Rather, it is a completely waterproof plastic membrane that is ideal for heavy-duty long term outdoor use.
Shade7’s new PVC fabric option for their giant commercial Tempest umbrella range is an exceptionally strong German-made PVC with a weight of 580gsm. This PVC is ideal for very exposed locations and is also easier to clean than many other PVC options.
5m Square Tempest Tairua Rugby Club
In New Zealand’s harsh UV, coastal air, and variable weather, PVC umbrella fabric can quickly collect dirt, grime, and mildew if left uncleaned. In high-traffic urban locations, pollution can also impact a canopy’s appearance. The good news? With a bit of effort and the right gear, cleaning your umbrellas is straightforward and highly effective.
Large outdoor umbrellas – especially in commercial environments – attract:
- Airborne dirt and pollution
- Salt and moisture (particularly in coastal areas)
- Bird droppings and organic debris
- Mould and mildew buildup
Left untreated, these can:
- Stain the fabric
- Encourage mildew growth
- Reduce lifespan and performance
- Cause the umbrellas to look unattractive
Routine cleaning helps maintain both appearance and durability—especially important for hospitality venues and high-visibility outdoor spaces.
5m Square Tempest Hagley Oval
This guide walks you through the best way to clean PVC fabric on large commercial umbrellas.
The Best Way to Clean PVC Umbrella Fabric
- Open the Umbrella Fully
Always clean your umbrella while it’s fully open. This allows you to:
- Reach all surfaces evenly
- Avoid streaking or patchy cleaning
- Properly access the underside
- Use Sugar Soap and Warm Water
For most situations, this is the most effective and cost-efficient cleaning method.
What you’ll need:
- Sugar soap
- Warm water (in a bucket or mop tray)
- Extendable mop with a long handle
- Method:
- Mix sugar soap with warm water
- Use the extendable mop to scrub the canopy
- Work methodically across the entire surface
- This method is ideal for large commercial umbrellas where access and scale are factors.
- Clean Problem Areas by Hand
For a more thorough result use a cloth for areas that need extra attention—particularly:
- The underside of the canopy
- Contact points where fabric touches the hub or frame
- Heavily soiled or stained sections
- An Alternative to Sugar Soap is Wet & Forget Outdoor Ready-to-Use .
- This is recommended by German PVC manufacturer Mehler, maker of Shade7’s Valmex PVC.
- It is important to be sure to select the Ready To Use option and follow instructions for 1:5 dilution with water and application steps.
- Rinse Thoroughly
Once cleaned, rinse the umbrella with a hose to remove all soap residue.
Make sure you leave the umbrella open to completely dry before closing or storing the umbrella.
- What NOT to Do
Avoid these common mistakes—they can permanently damage your umbrella fabric:
- Do not use solvents, abrasives, or harsh detergents
- Do not use a stiff bristled brush. Soft bristles are fine.
- Do not use anything hot on the fabric (eg. An iron, steam washer or hot water)
- Do not use a water blaster (high-pressure cleaning can damage PVC coatings and seams)
- How Often Should You Clean Commercial Umbrellas?
- For most commercial environments it’s recommended to clean the fabric annually.
- For high traffic areas exposed to pollutants, or in exposed coastal areas, 6-monthly cleaning might be more appropriate.
- Cleaning your PVC umbrella is a bit like keeping the entrance to your business clean. When it starts looking dirty its probably time to clean it.
For hospitality venues, resorts, and outdoor commercial spaces, clean umbrellas make a noticeable difference to presentation and can make all the difference to patrons choosing to stop to enjoy your hospitality.
