Buying a new garden parasol is always exciting. With so many different ones to choose from it can be difficult to narrow the choice down to just one. But when you do you will want to take good care of it. The best way to do this is to clean it regularly.
The first rule to remember is never to store it away when it is dirty. When you put it away for the winter take the time to clean it before you do so. Any mildew or dirt on it will only be much harder to remove if you don’t bother cleaning it and leave it until you get it out again the following year.
Of course it is always easier to clean a new garden parasol if you get into good habits with it before it gets a chance to be dirty. If you see any leaves or dirt or other debris on it, brush it off using a soft brush. If you leave any dried dirt on it and it rains, it will be much more likely to stain the parasol.
If you have decided your existing parasol needs a wash, try and wait for a nice day to do it on. The warmer it is the easier it will be to clean it and let it dry out nice and quickly. Always use a reasonably mild detergent to clean it with; anything stronger is really not necessary. You don’t want to bleach away the colour or the pattern on your parasol. Once you have cleaned it you can leave it to dry on the lawn. Make sure the parasol is facing the sun to get it dry as quickly as possible.
Obviously it is important to ensure that your garden parasol is not left out when you are not using it. When autumn arrives and you have finished with the parasol, take it down, check it for dirt and stains and clean it before storing it in the shed. Always be sure you let it dry completely before you store it, otherwise it could attract mould and mildew.