Stone Top Care

At America’s Backyards & Outdoor Living, our stone tops have been  engineered to withstand extreme temperatures and moisture.  They are all made of the finest, handpicked natural stones and marbles. All our stone tops are sealed prior to shipping, however, it is recommended that each top be resealed annually, if not more frequently, depending on the climate and use of that table top.

Our stone tops are designed and built to resist stains, but their beauty  comes from natural stones and grout, which are porous in nature, and easily stained and etched by acids. Fruit juice, carbonated beverages  or other acids will etch (remove shiny surface) if allowed to remain on  marble. Wipe up all spills immediately using wet cloth.  Routine cleaning can be done with a soft cloth and some mild dish detergent and water. 

The best way to prevent stains is to treat the surface with a protective  sealer, as often as after each use. The sealer fills in the pores and  repels spills on the surface, allowing you time to completely wipe it  away. There are many products available at any home improvement store that are easy to use, and only take a few minutes for a consumer to apply.  Miracle 511 is one that we recommend.

Lastly, care should always be taken when handling your stone top. The tops can  be damaged if dropped or set down on hard surfaces. At no time, should a table top be placed on a hard surface during assembly, or rolled across any surface to move it.

At America’s Backyards & Outdoor Living we use the highest quality fabrics and textiles, including Sunbrella fabrics. While all of our fabrics are chosen to withstand the elements, we do recommend regular care and cleaning as needed depending on use and climate.  

One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella fabrics looking good and to delay deep or vigorous cleanings is to properly maintain the fabrics. This can be accomplished by simply brushing off dirt before it becomes embedded in the fabrics, wiping up spills as soon as they occur or spot  cleaning soon after stains occur.

For additional cleaning instructions and videos please visit Sunbrella's website.

Download the Sunbrella Upholstery Fabrics Cleaning PDF

Download the Sunbrella Stain Chart PDF 

General or light cleaning

Brush off any loose dirt.

Prepare a cleaning solution of 1/4 cup mild soap, such as Woolite or Dawn dishwashing liquid, per gallon of lukewarm water.

Use a sponge or a soft bristle brush to clean.

Allow cleaning solution to soak into fabric.

Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.

Allow fabric to air dry.

Spot cleaning

Apply a light mist of mild soap and water using a spray bottle.

Work the solution into the stain by lightly scrubbing the area with a sponge or very soft bristle brush.

Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.

Blot excess moisture with a clean, soft towel or sponge.

Wet-vacuum or blot excess water.

Air dry. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all soap residue is removed.

For removable Sunbrella fabric

Hand washing

Soak fabric in a solution of 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water.

Use a sponge or a soft bristle brush as necessary.

Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.

Air dry.

Machine washing

Machine wash in cold water. Depending on wash load size, use normal amounts of mild laundry detergent and add 1 cup of bleach. Allow fabric to air dry.

Heavy cleaning for stubborn stains and mildew

Sunbrella  fabric does not promote mildew growth, however, mildew  may grow on  dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric. To clean stubborn stains:

Prepare a solution of 1 cup of bleach and 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of water.

Spray on entire area and allow to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes.

Remove stain with a sponge, clean towel or very soft bristle brush.

Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.

Allow fabric to air dry.

If stain and/or mildew are severe, bleach quantities may be increased. View the stain chart for removal of specific stains.

Re-treating the fabric for ease of cleaning

As  part of the finishing process, Sunbrella fabrics are treated with a  fluorocarbon finish, which enhances water repellency. This finish is  designed to last for several years, but must be replenished after a  thorough cleaning. Based on test results, Glen Raven recommends 303 Fabric Guard™ as the preferred re-treatment product for Sunbrella  fabrics. Fabrics should be re-treated after thorough cleaning or after five years of use.  

Applying 303 Fabric Guard™
303 should be applied to Sunbrella fabrics after each thorough cleaning,  which typically removes the original finish and reduces the fabric's water repellency.

Clean Sunbrella fabric, using one of the cleaning methods.

Allow Sunbrella to completely air dry.

Apply 303 Fabric Guard in a well-ventilated area following instructions on the container.

Apply 303 in a thin, even coat and allow fabric to dry completely.

Apply a second thin, even coating of 303. (Two light coatings are more effective in restoring fabric water resistance than a single heavy coating.) 

Note: A 15-ounce bottle provides coverage of up to 50 square feet of fabric.

For more information, visit www.303products.com.

Professional cleaners

In evaluating the services of a professional firm, you should inquire  about the firm's experience in working with Sunbrella fabrics and  knowledge of cleaning and re-treatment requirements.

DO NOT dry clean Sunbrella fabrics.

Helpful hints

Protect  the area around your Sunbrella fabric when using a bleach solution – bleach may discolor non-Sunbrella fabrics. Always rinse Sunbrella thoroughly to completely remove bleach.

Please be aware of the environment when cleaning with bleach.  Bleach can have  harmful effects on the natural environment around you.  We do not advise using bleach if you are surrounded by a body of water or other environment that could be affected. 

Sunbrella fabric air-dries very quickly. Machine drying is not necessary.

If fabric has some wrinkling, use an iron, if necessary, but only on the  synthetic setting. As some irons exceed the recommended temperature on the synthetic setting, test a small inconspicuous area before ironing  entire piece.

DO NOT use a steamer or iron set to steam settin