Expert answers on marine fabrics

What material are Sunbrella fabrics made of?

Sunbrella fabrics are made from acrylic fibers. These acrylic fibers are solution-dyed for fade resistance and long-term durability.

What are the advantages of Sunbrella acrylic fibre?

Sunbrella fabrics are made using Color to the Core™ technology. Once saturated, the fiber is spun into yarns that are then woven to create the high-performance and durable Sunbrella fabric we know. The Color to the Core™ technology ensures a fabric that withstands the test of time in terms of color, performance despite exposure to the elements, and cleaning. Find all the performance details of our fabrics on the "Why Choose Sunbrella?" page.

Are Sunbrella fabrics Made in Europe?

Sunbrella fabrics are made all over the world. The European production sites are located in the north of France, in Wasquehal and Hordain. Regardless of location, Sunbrella fabrics are always made to the same standards and delivered where and when you need them. Discover more information on the 'Sunbrella Brand' page.

Is the fabric resistant to fading?

Sunbrella acrylic fibers are saturated with UV-stable colors and pigments before being spun. This process makes Sunbrella fabrics resistant to UV fading and durable. Find all the performance details of our fabrics on the "Why choose Sunbrella?" page.

Does Sunbrella fabric provide UV protection?

Sunbrella fabric has been tested and found to have over 98% protection against the sun's harmful UV rays. This protection varies depending on the colours, the nature of the product (Sunbrella Plus, uncoated Sunbrella, Sunbrella Seamark etc.) and its thickness. White and light colours provide less protection than dark colours. (Range from 90% for very light colours to 95% for medium colours and 100% protection for dark colours). This protection factor is inherent to the product and is not altered by its use and exposure to the sun.

Are Sunbrella fabrics waterproof?

Reference should be made to the water column test. This test evaluates the waterproofness, i.e. it measures the resistance of a fabric to the pressure of water. The higher the water column value, the more difficult it is for water to get through the fabric. Also known as Schmerber, it is measured in millimetres. Our Seamark fabric is completely waterproof (Schmerber over 3,500mm) and our Sunbrella Plus also has a very high waterproof rating (1,000 mm). 

Will the fabric be weather, friction and moisture resistant?

We test dimensional stability, i.e. the fabric's ability to keep its shape when subjected to mechanical actions, changes in moisture and/or ambient temperature or wetting and drying. The result is shown in %

Elongation and tensile strength (ISO 13934-1 test) and tear strength (ISO 13937-1 test) are also tested

We can guarantee that Sunbrella fabrics are extremely strong

Do Sunbrella fabrics provide softness and comfort?

Designed for both indoor and outdoor applications, Sunbrella fabrics remain soft to the touch and comfortable: essential criteria that our teams continuously consider during development. Find all the performance details of our fabrics on the "Why Choose Sunbrella?" page.

Are Sunbrella fabrics rot-proof?

The solution-dyed acrylic used to make our fabrics is rot-proof, unlike natural fibers like cotton. However, to prevent surface mildew, it is recommended to clean the fabric regularly. You can find all the performance details of our fabrics on the "Why Choose Sunbrella?" page.

What can I do to prevent mould from growing on the fabric?

Sunbrella Plus has high resistance to water, so if the application (winter cover, bimini top etc.) is not properly ventilated and cleaned regularly, it may be susceptible to mould. For mould to grow, four components must be present: heat, moisture, spores and a food source, which provide the "bed" for mould to grow. Although Sunbrella Plus fabric is rot-proof (doesn't support mould growth) because the raw material used is solution-dyed acrylic (synthetic thread), mould can grow on dirt on the fabric. That's why it is important to keep your Sunbrella fabrics clean and dirt-free.

One of the best ways to care for your fabrics is to look after them monthly by brushing them with a soft brush then rinsing with clean water. This practice will help prevent dirt from becoming deeply embedded into the fabric and eliminate the need for more frequent vigorous cleaning. Specific information on cleaning is available in our Cleaning Guide.

How to clean Sunbrella fabrics?

Sunbrella fabrics are easy to maintain and known for their stain resistance. However, it is essential to care for your fabrics to maintain their appearance and durability. You can find some practical basic tips on the "Sunbrella Fabric Care Guide" page. For tougher stains, you can also download our care guides there.

How do I clean and care for my awning, bimini top, cover, spray hood?

The best way to maintain the appearance of Sunbrella® fabrics is to hose them down monthly with clean water. This will prevent dirt from becoming deeply embedded in the fabric and eliminate the need for more frequent vigorous cleaning. In most environments, a thorough clean will be required every two to three years.

General or light cleaning

To clean Sunbrella fabrics directly on the boat, follow these simple steps

• Remove dust with a brush.
• Hose down.
• Make up a cleaning solution by mixing water and mild soap or washing-up liquid.
• Clean with a soft-bristle brush.
• Wait for the cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
• Rinse thoroughly until all soapy residue is removed.
• Let it air dry.
• May not need to be re-treated, depending on the age of the fabric.

Intensive cleaning

Sunbrella fabric doesn't encourage mould growth, however, mould can appear if dirt and other substances are left on them. For stubborn stains and mould:

• Make up a solution of 60 ml of bleach and 150 ml of soap per litre of clean water.
• Soak the fabric in the mixture for 15 minutes.
• Dab the stain with a clean sponge or tissue. (Note: this step should be avoided when cleaning the coated side (back) of Sunbrella Plus fabrics.)
• Rinse thoroughly until all soapy residue is removed.
• Let it air dry.

Be careful to respect the environment, we do not recommend the use of bleach if you are surrounded by an area of water or other environment that may be affected.

Is it possible to retreat my coated Sunbrella fabric?

Sunbrella fabrics are treated with a patented waterproof and stain-resistant coating that is designed to last for several years but may need to be restored following a deep clean. Dickson and Sunbrella recommend TEX AKTIV CLEAN and GUARD products, which are available from your regular Sunbrella reseller.

How do I apply the TEX AKTIV CLEAN and TEX AKTIV GUARD treatments?

Clean Sunbrella fabric using one of the cleaning methods described. Let the Sunbrella fabric air dry completely. Apply in a well-ventilated area following the instructions on the packaging. More information

Can I clean Sunbrella fabric with a high-pressure cleaner?

High-pressure cleaning is not permitted, as it can cause irreversible damage to the fabric.

Can I use bleach?

Yes, on In/Out upholstery fabrics and on the non-coated Sunbrella marine fabric.
Find some essential practical tips on the "Sunbrella Fabric Care Guide" page.

Is it normal to see white lines on the fabric?

You have noticed white lines on your Sunbrella® fabric and you're wondering what they are. Our fabrics are woven from solution-dyed acrylic fibre for higher quality, and they receive our full attention during the manufacturing process. However, you may notice some minor imperfections after your marine cover is in place. These “white fold lines” can sometimes be seen on the following Sunbrella® colours: Beige, Taupe, Dune, Toast & Charcoal Grey.

These white lines are caused by folding or creasing of the fabric during the handling phase (installation on the boat or sewing). However, these white marks do not affect the performance of your fabric.

Over time, these marks tend to fade. The main factor contributing to the marking is a fluororesin; this is added to Sunbrella® fabrics at the final finishing stage to increase rigidity, stain resistance and oil-repelling properties, but unfortunately it also increases the fabric's susceptibility to marking and white lines.

For many years we have been working closely with our chemical suppliers to find a solution, but to date, no other product to replace this fluororesin-based coating has been found.

What should I do if the seams leak?

We have a sewing guide with recommendations for sewing and also for the sewing thread (RASANT n°25WR polyester/cotton AMANN GROUP)

RASANT n°25WR: is a water resistant (WR) thread. It boosts waterproofness of the seams thanks to the water resistant (WR) treatment.

When saddlers use this thread, the waterproofness is excellent. Note, this thread “swells” with water, so it takes one or two showers before the fabric/seam is watertight.

Our new PU-coated Sunbrella Plus can now be welded with tape, which helps avoid this problem of leakage at the seams.

Are Sunbrella fabrics good for me and the environment?

Our fabrics are Greenguard certified, which means that Sunbrella® textiles contribute to creating a healthy indoor environment with regard to chemical emissions.

Our fabrics are also OEKO TEX certified, i.e. they are free of identified hazardous substances that may pose a danger to health, skin and the environment. 

Even though some of our ranges, such as Horizon, Knit Loop, and Sling, are not Oeko-Tex certified due to the absence of acrylic in their composition, they are still made with the same attention to quality and safety. Find all our initiatives and certifications on the 'Our Initiatives' page.

Is there a recycled offer?

As part of its Sunbrella ReCycled offer, Sunbrella has created the Endless Stories collection, which contains up to 50% of recycled mass-dyed acrylic fibers. Our recycled fibers come directly from our production plants where waste is sorted by color groups and transformed back into fibers. These fibers are then mixed with Sunbrella's "virgin" fibers.

Find all the information on the "Endless Stories Collection" page.

What are the warranty conditions for Sunbrella products?

Each product has a specific warranty level. To find out the duration and conditions of the warranty, visit the "Sunbrella Warranties" page.