How and with what to clean an umbrella so that it is like new and does not get wet?

Cleaning your umbrella is as simple as washing it in warm soapy water. To remove rust and other stubborn stains, use lemon juice, vinegar, and ammonia. We will tell you in detail how to properly clean and dry the product at home, and how to care for it.

Washing an umbrella

Few people know, but umbrellas can and should be washed from time to time. Naturally, not in the washing machine, but with your hands in a basin.

How to clean an umbrella at home?

1. Fill a basin with 5–7 liters of warm water (30–40 degrees).
2. Dissolve 2 tbsp in it. spoons of washing powder, soap or shampoo.
3. Place the half-opened umbrella in the soapy solution for 15 minutes.
4. Rub it lightly with a soft cloth.
5. Rinse well with clean water. It is best to open the umbrella, put it in the bath and wash the shower inside and out.
6. Shake off the water from the half-open umbrella and hang it to dry.

Pay special attention to cleaning the inside of the umbrella. In the areas where the knitting needles touch the fabric, dust, debris and dirt often accumulate, and rust stains may even appear.

Removing stains

It often happens that persistent stains appear on the umbrella, which cannot be removed by regular washing. In this case, simple folk remedies will help.

• Divorces

Unsightly streaks appear from impurities in the water. They are especially noticeable on umbrellas with a transparent dome. To clean the surface, you need to add 1 tbsp to 150 ml of water. spoon of ammonia and stir the solution.Next, take a cotton pad, soak it in the resulting liquid and wipe the material. You can also use a damp alcohol wipe.

• Rust on fabric

Removed with lemon juice. You need to squeeze half a lemon, dampen a cloth and treat the contaminated areas. The juice should saturate the fabric well. Next, you should take a steam iron or steam cleaner and direct the stream onto the umbrella canvas. The rust will begin to crumble. Scrub it off with a brush, and then rinse off any remaining juice with clean, warm water.

• Rust on the spokes

Lemon juice is also needed to eliminate it. Half the fruit will be enough. You need to moisten the sponge with the juice and wipe the knitting needles. You should wait 10 minutes, after which the rust can be easily removed with a damp cloth. Rinse the metal parts with clean water and lubricate them to prevent the mechanism from seizing.

• Grease stains

Can be removed with dishwashing detergent. You need to apply a couple of drops to the fabric and then lather with a brush. If the stains are stubborn, pour 50–100 ml of hot water on top and leave the fabric to soak for 10–15 minutes. Upon completion of cleaning, the umbrella is rinsed with clean water and sent to dry.

• Mold stains

To combat them, use regular table vinegar. You need to mix it in equal volumes with warm water, wet the umbrella and rub with a soft brush. Then the solution must be washed off.

• Dirt on the handle

From frequent use, the handle of the umbrella becomes covered with a layer of dirt. If it is patterned, with grooves, then simply cleaning it with a rag will be problematic. Use baking soda. Rub the plastic thoroughly with it, and then rinse with warm water.

Returning the color

Due to errors in care, the umbrella may fade and become discolored. Black umbrellas turn red, colored ones fade, which gives them a sloppy appearance. How to fix the situation?

• Black umbrella

Strong tea will help restore the deep black color. You need to brew 2 tbsp. spoons of black tea in 300 ml of water. Then a sponge is moistened in the tea leaves and the dome is treated. There is no need to wash off anything.

• Colored umbrella

To restore color brightness, use a vinegar solution: 2 tbsp. spoons per 1 liter of warm water. The umbrella is immersed in it for 15 minutes, wiped with a sponge, and then, without rinsing, sent to dry.

To remove stains and restore color to the umbrella, you can use any oxygen stain remover for colored fabrics: Astonish, Vanish and others. The main thing is that it is without chlorine. Treat the dome according to the instructions, being careful not to get it on the knitting needles. Rinse off the product. The umbrella will be as good as new!

We restore water-repellent properties

If you notice that the umbrella has begun to leak water, use the following tips:

1. Open the canopy and hold it up to the light.
2. If the fabric is frayed in any place, apply colorless varnish to the inside and leave the umbrella open until it dries.
3. Take water-repellent shoe polish and coat the top of the umbrella canopy with it. Leave it to dry, then close it and put it in the case.

Rules of care

In order for the umbrella to last as long as possible and maintain its functionality and appearance, you must follow simple rules:

• Drying. The accessory is dried naturally, in a well-ventilated room. Before drying, shake it and wipe the knitting needles with a rag to remove excess moisture. The cane is opened halfway and the folding one is unfolded, but the dome is kept closed.
• Washing frequency. General cleaning is carried out 1-2 times a season or as it gets dirty.
• Storage. The umbrella is stored folded in a hanging case. For example, on a hook.

Before storing the umbrella for long-term storage, it must be washed, dried, and the knitting needles lubricated. To do this, use machine oil or wax. The liquid is applied carefully so as not to stain the fabric. Then each knitting needle is wrapped in parchment paper, the umbrella is folded and a clean cover is put on. This way you will be sure that it will not rust or become deformed by the next season.

What should you not do?

There are 6 common mistakes in cleaning and caring for an umbrella. In 80% of cases they cause damage to the product.

IT IS FORBIDDEN:

1. Set the wet umbrella to dry with the canopy open. Wet fabric stretches and begins to sag.
2. Use chlorine products and solvents to clean the umbrella: acetone, kerosene, gasoline, and bleach. The canopy is most often made from synthetic fabrics such as polyamide and nylon, which are simply corroded by solvents and chlorine.
3. Place the umbrella at the bottom of your bag or store it under heavy objects. The structure may be damaged, the spokes risk breaking or bending.
4. Put away the wet umbrella for storage. In a curled state, it will not dry out, but will become covered with rusty spots and mold. In addition, it will emit an unpleasant damp smell.
5. Dry the umbrella with an iron, hairdryer, near a gas stove and heating appliances. From such manipulations, the canvas is instantly deformed and will no longer be able to protect from rain.
6. Store or dry the accessory in direct sunlight. In the sun, the fabric fades and becomes covered with faded stains.

An umbrella is one of the most popular accessories. But in order for it to serve faithfully for many years, it needs proper care. It needs to be cleaned at least once a season, and also when it gets dirty.Use our tips and enjoy the long life and beautiful appearance of your umbrella!