Home >> Lifestyle: Seasonal:   Care Tips for the Patio Umbrella by Kelly Marshall Patio umbrellas are designed to withstand the vagaries of Mother Nature including sun, rain and wind because of the materials used and the construction techniques applied. But as with all outdoor consumer products, even the most expensive patio umbrella will have an extremely limited lifetime when it is not properly cared for. The sun, rain and wind will eventually take their toll on the umbrella albeit at a faster rate than expected. Here are a few tips on the proper maintenance of patio umbrellas. Follow these suggestions to extend the life of the umbrellas for the patio and, thus, enjoy more value for the purchase price paid for these products. Regular Cleaning Regardless of shape, size and style, patio umbrellas have five parts that will require cleaning - frame, runner hub, top hub, ribs, and finial. All of these parts require regular cleaning with a clean damp cloth to avoid rot for the wooden parts, rust for the metal components and grime for the fabric. If these parts are dirtier than the cloth can clean, use mild soapy water on the parts and then clean with the cloth again. Harsh chemicals, abrasive materials and other cleaning products should be avoided. These substances will be unnecessary when the patio umbrella is cleaned on a regular basis anyway. The umbrella cover itself can be washed using two methods depending on its fabric. First, if it is made from a non-fabric material like vinyl, the cover can be dismantled from the frame and then hosed down with water, scrubbed with clean cloth and allowed to dry. Second, if the fabric is made from Olefin and Sunbrella umbrella fabrics, then machine wash is sufficient for the purpose. Just make sure not to place the cover into the dryer to prevent shrinking of the material. When not in use, it is best to close the patio umbrella and then place a protective cover over it. This way, the dust, dirt and grime from the environment will not accumulate and the life of the umbrella can be extended. Of course, during inclement weather like storms with string winds, patio umbrellas must be closed and store inside. Proper Opening and Closing Many owners will take lesser care in opening and closing patio umbrellas in the belief that, if these products can withstand sun, rain and wind, then there's no reason why strong handling will damage these products before their time. But the opposite is true because proper opening and closing of the umbrella can lessen the stress on its parts and, thus, extend its life. When opening the umbrella, gently pull the ribs away from the pole and then turning the crank - or pulling the cord, as the case may be. When closing it, crank in the opposite direction as indicated on the arrows near the handle and then continue pulling until the umbrella is fully closed. Be sure that obstructions in the ribbing have been properly removed before closing the umbrella to ensure that it will be functional once opened. The patio umbrella will only be as beautiful and functional as the care with which it is handled. Regular cleaning coupled with proper opening and closing for storage purposes are the most important tips to remember. About The Author Kelly Marshall is a writer for Patioshoppers.com – the leading online patio retailer for commercial patio furniture and other outdoor goods. ________________________________________________________________________________________   Article Posted: April 12, 2011

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