Sunbrella: Miracle Fabric for Indoor and Outdoor Use

It’s super-strong. Water-resistant. Fade-proof. Impervious to mildew. Bleach-cleanable.

It’s Sunbrella®. Rich’s is an Authorized Sunbrella Dealer, which means you can order just about any Sunbrella fabric from us.

Sunbrella fabrics are used on a wide variety indoor and outdoor items, including sofa cushions, draperies, throw pillows, tilt umbrellas, marine upholstery and sails, awnings, flags… even convertible tops!

Sunbrella History

Introduced in 1961, Sunbrella fabrics are manufactured and marketed by Glen Raven, Inc., a 135-year-old family-owned company based in North Carolina with operations worldwide.

• The company started in 1880 as a cotton mill, manufacturing cotton duck fabric for the awning industry.
• During the 1940s, they made parachute materials for the armed forces.
• In 1958, they developed pantyhose.

Little-Known Facts

• Sunbrella is the largest manufacturer of flag material in the U.S. (They made the material for the U.S. flag that’s on the moon).
• The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends Sunbrella awning and marine and upholstery fabrics for protection against sun.

How Sunbrella Fabrics are Created

This video shows the fascinating process of how fabrics are created at the main manufacturing facility in Anderson, S.C.

Environmentally Concerned

The main 1-million square foot plant is a landfill-free manufacturing facility. They do not send waste to landfills; they recycle, repurpose, or compost almost everything.

For more than 25 years, Sunbrella has recycled acrylic manufacturing waste and delivered it to partners who convert the materials into industrial products such as felt, automotive insulation, car seat stuffing, and filtration.

Their Recycle My Sunbrella program is a “take back” program for consumers. If you want to recycle your Sunbrella fabric scraps, awning cover, boat cover or upholstery fabric, fill out the form at recyclemysunbrella.com.

Since the inception of the program, people have recycled more than 400,000 pounds of fabric. Rather than going to a landfill, this fabric is recycled for a second life reborn as yarns for use in decorative Sunbrella fabrics.

Easy-Clean Fabric

A hallmark of Sunbrella fabrics is that they’re so easy to clean. In this video, consumers give Sunbrella fabrics the “spill” test, dousing fabrics with red wine, chocolate syrup, ketchup, and blueberry pie filling. The results are amazing!

Quick Cleaning Tips

Don’t use a power washer to clean Sunbrella fabrics.

Don’t put Sunbrella fabric (such as a removable upholstery cover) in the dryer; high heat will cause it to shrink and may damage the fabric. We recommend that you don’t put it in the washer, either; hand wash it in cold water.

When you clean an umbrella cover, put it back on the umbrella and let it dry.

Keep Sunbrella fabric looking its best

• Use a sponge or soft brush to apply mild soap and warm water to the fabric.
• Rinse thoroughly.
• Air dry.

For stubborn stains or mildew

• Add one cup of bleach per gallon of soap and water.
• Apply directly to the stain.
• Use a sponge or soft brush to clean.
• Rinse thoroughly.
• Air dry.
• If necessary, repeat with additional bleach.

When cleaning Sunbrella fabrics with bleach, make sure you rinse ALL the bleach out. And be careful when sitting on fabric that’s been cleaned with bleach – it could bleach your clothing.