5 Fantastic Tips About How to Clean Mould off an Outdoor Umbrella

There's nothing better than a nice big umbrella to keep you covered from the sun when you're outside on a hot day. Imagine getting in summer clothes, grabbing a cold drink and good book, opening your outdoor umbrella and...finding enormous patches of mould and mildew?! Gross, no thank you.

Mould can look intimidating, but with the right tools and preparation, removing it doesn't have to be difficult.

Keep reading for five killer tips that will help clean mould off an outdoor umbrella.

1. Vinegar Is Your Secret Weapon

When you need to clean mildew off an outdoor umbrella, it's hard to find an ingredient that works better than white vinegar. You may have cleaned chunks of white calcification off your kettle or shower head with vinegar before. Even though it smells something awful, vinegar is also excellent for lifting mould out of umbrella tarp fibres.

If you're lucky enough to live in South East Queensland, there are local service agents at Essential Shield Brisbane South ready to tackle mould for you. If you don't think vinegar and baking soda alone will cut it, give them a call.

2. Protect Yourself While You Clean

Mould isn't just unsightly, it can also make you sick. If you breathe in too much mould or get it on your hands and rub your eyes, you're going to have a bad time!

The first step to remember when learning how to clean mould off an outdoor umbrella is wearing gloves and working in a well-ventilated area. Once you've taken steps to protect your hands, eyes, and mouth, grab your white vinegar and get ready to scrub.

3. Clean Mould Off an Outdoor Umbrella With a Soft Bristle Brush

The best tool to use to clean an umbrella is a bristle brush that won't damage the fabric. Any basic soft bristle brush will do. Make sure the brush is coated very well with vinegar or another cleaning product such as the 303® Multi Surface Cleaner.

It's best to scrub all the mouldy areas briskly, in circular motions. Once you've worked out the mould, you can clean the brush and use the same motions to clean the entire umbrella with a regular all-purpose cleaner of your choice.

For stains that just won't budge...

4. Add Baking Soda and Other Cleaners for Stubborn Stains

If you take a good look at your outdoor umbrella and notice you have black mould, or even just more mould than expected, scrub a few more times with baking soda. Baking soda is a natural exfoliant that will lift tough stains and remove odour without damaging the fabric. 

5. Dry in the Sun, Repeat as Needed

Believe it or not, laying your outdoor umbrella in the sun will help kill mould bacteria. The natural UV rays are torture for mould and mildew, which need cool moisture and darkness to grow.

If the mouldy patch you just cleaned is visibly lighter than the rest of the umbrella, maybe it's time to scrub the whole thing! Though not as visible as mould, umbrellas tend to collect layers of dust that change the fabric's original colour over time.

More Outdoor Umbrella Care Tips

Remember, to clean mould off your outdoor umbrella you'll need:

• to protect your hands and work in a well-ventilated area
• vinegar, and possibly baking soda
• a soft bristle brush
• time to let the umbrella dry in direct sunlight

For more helpful outdoor umbrella tips, check out our blog on the importance of maintaining your outdoor umbrella.

Please note the contents of this post is information only and general in nature.
If you require advice it is best to contact one of our shade specialists who can review your particular circumstances and then provide tailored advice according to your needs.