Umbrella Care, Storage and Repair: How to Make Your Umbrella Last

By Oswin Hyde · Last updated 28 September 2026

The short answer: always dry an umbrella open, at room temperature, before you close it and put it away. Rinse off salt and dirt with clean water, and wash a smelly canopy with mild soap and water. Small problems are easy to fix: a bent rib can be straightened or splinted, a loose tip glued back on, and a stiff mechanism freed with a little silicone spray.

How to clean an umbrella

1. Open the umbrella and rinse the canopy with lukewarm water.
2. Mix a few drops of mild washing-up liquid in warm water and wipe both sides with a soft cloth or sponge.
3. For stains or mildew, add a splash of white vinegar to the water.
4. Rinse with clean water to remove any soap.
5. Leave it open to dry fully, away from direct heat.

Never put an umbrella in the washing machine or dryer, and avoid bleach, which weakens the canopy and fades colour.

Why does my umbrella smell?

A musty smell means the umbrella was closed or stored while wet, allowing mildew to grow. Wash it with mild soap and a little white vinegar, rinse, and dry it fully open. From then on, always dry it before closing.

How to store an umbrella

• Dry it open, then close it loosely and fasten the strap.
• Keep it in a stand or on a hook by the door so it can drain.
• Use the sleeve only once the umbrella is completely dry.
• Keep folding umbrellas in a pocket of your bag away from laptops and papers, or in a waterproof pouch.
• Avoid leaving it in a hot car or in direct sunlight, which weakens the fabric.

How to repair common umbrella problems

Bent rib

Gently straighten the rib with your hands or pliers. If it has cracked, splint it with a small piece of metal tube or a straw and wrap it tightly with strong tape, or fit a replacement rib from a repair kit.

Rib detached from the canopy

Stitch the rib tip back onto the canopy with strong polyester thread, through the small pocket or loop at the end of the rib.

Small tear or hole

Apply a waterproof fabric repair patch on the inside of the canopy, or use a clear fabric glue for pin-holes.

Stiff or sticking mechanism

Clean the shaft, then apply a little silicone spray or light machine oil to the runner and joints. Open and close it a few times to work it in. Wipe off any excess so it doesn't mark the canopy.

Loose handle or tip

Remove the handle or tip, clean both surfaces and refit with a strong epoxy glue. Let it set fully before use.

Repair or replace?

Repair it if the problem is one rib, a small tear or a stiff runner; these are quick fixes. Replace it if the shaft is bent or broken, several ribs have failed, or the canopy is badly torn. A well-made umbrella with a fibreglass frame is less likely to break in the first place: see our umbrella buying guide.

Frequently asked questions

How do you fix a broken umbrella rib?

Straighten a bent rib gently. For a cracked rib, splint it with a small tube and strong tape, or replace it with a rib from a repair kit.

How do you clean a smelly umbrella?

Wash the canopy open with warm water, mild soap and a little white vinegar, rinse, and dry it fully open before storing.

Should you dry an umbrella open or closed?

Open, at room temperature. Closing it wet causes mildew, smells and rust on metal parts.

Where should you put a wet umbrella?

In an umbrella stand or on a hook where it can drain, or open in the bath or shower until dry.

How do you stop an umbrella from rusting?

Dry it fully after use and apply a little silicone spray to the metal joints now and then. Fibreglass frames don't rust.

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