Storing Your Outdoor Umbrella the Right Way
Is the temperature slowly dropping? Are there more warnings of hail, thunderstorms, and snow? Is it time for you to bid farewell to warm and cozy summers and, with it, the swimming pool too? Then there's something you must do - store your umbrella right away.
Your umbrella protected you from the scorching heat during the entire summer. It gave you the perfect shade to lay down and read your favorite book. But to make it last longer, you must store it properly after every season. You can also store it away if you're not going to use it for a very long time, like when you're off for a vacation.
Now you might think that storing your umbrella is no big deal. After all, how tough can it get? But, we're here to tell you how important the entire storage process is. If you don't do so, then it's only a matter of time before you need to order a replacement.
Why Do You Need to Store Your Patio Umbrella?
The vibrant colors and the look of your patio umbrella might be a very compelling reason not to put your umbrella away. But, there are also quite a few other reasons why you should.
1. It Cannot Withstand Extreme Weather Conditions
Leaving your umbrella out during rainstorms, hail, and snow can permanently damage it. Strong winds may flip over your umbrella and ruin its poles and fabric. The poles might even start rusting based on their material.
2. Help Keep the Fabric Intact
The more the fabric is exposed to the sun, the higher its chances of fading. Storing your umbrella ensures that the fabric looks brand new even though you've been using it for years. It also protects the fabric from wear and tear.
3. Make It Last Longer
Another benefit of storing your umbrella is that it will last longer. Storing your patio umbrellas ensures they do not get damaged or fade easily. This ensures that you can at least use them for three to four seasons before needing replacements.
How to Clean Your Patio Umbrella?
Before storing your umbrella, you need to ensure that it's clean.
1. Brush Off Any Dust
Use brushes with soft bristles to remove dust, leaves, and twigs from the fabric. Regularly doing this will ensure that no stains remain and the fabric doesn't fade.
2. Rinse Off Any Dust Left
Rinse the fabric to get rid of any dust or dirt that remains behind after brushing.
3. Use Soap and Water to Clean
You can use lukewarm water and mild soap to clean any stubborn stains. You can even wipe down the frames. Spread the umbrella on a flat surface and then use the soap solution to clean it thoroughly.
4. Air Dry
Air drying the poles and the fabric is the best solution. Choose a sunny day to clean your patio and leave it out in the open to dry. You must ensure that the fabric is fully dry before storing it so that no mold grows on its surface. It will also ensure no foul smell lingers when you use it again.
If the weather conditions are unfavorable, you can use a hair dryer to dry the umbrella. Keep the drier at a safe distance and ensure that the heat is set to low before you use it.
5. Close the Umbrella
Once you've dried it out, you can close it for storage. At the same time, when you're disassembling, try not to apply too much force.
If your umbrella came in a cover of its own, use it to store your umbrella. Midtown also sells covers that fit all types of umbrellas sold on the website.
You can also use plastic covers to wrap it up properly. Use a plastic cover that's bigger than the umbrella to ensure that all of it is adequately covered and no part is exposed to air, water, or insects. Tape it to keep it in place. Wrap the poles in newspaper before putting them inside the cover.
Bubble wraps, beach towels or other fabrics, cardboard and a tarp are a few other covers you can use for your umbrella.
Where to Store Your Patio Umbrella?
Where you store your umbrella is just as important as how you store it. Your attic, basement, or even your garage can be the perfect spot for storage.
When choosing a spot, ensure that it's dry. Any place that is prone to bugs is a big no. The area should not be damp either; otherwise, the fabric will be covered in mold and mildew. Remember that any moisture buildup can completely destroy your umbrella.
How to Store Your Patio Umbrella?
Ensure you don't store any heavy objects on top of the umbrella if you don't want to damage it. You can keep it on shelves, hang it on hooks or use storage bins and boxes for storing your umbrella. You can store it in a lying down or standing up position.
In the End
If you follow these steps, you can easily make your patio umbrella last at least three to four seasons. It will not gather rust, fade away, or tear easily. You'll be able to enjoy the shade of your patio umbrella again the following season.
