Caring for your cantilever parasol.
A cantilever parasol gives you clear, post-free shade over a seating or dining area — and with a little routine care, plus the right base weight and one golden rule about wind, it'll serve you for years. Here's how.
What your parasol is made of
Your cantilever parasol pairs a powder-coated aluminium frame with an all-weather canopy fabric that’s woven and treated to be water-repellent, UV-stable and fade-resistant. Aluminium is rust-free and light, and the powder coating gives it a tough, weatherproof finish.
On a cantilever, the pole sits to one side with the canopy suspended over the space, giving a clear, post-free area beneath. They’re bigger and heavier than a traditional parasol — and far more reliant on a properly weighted base to stay stable, which makes the base the single most important thing to get right.
Wind is a parasol’s only real enemy
More parasols are damaged by wind than by anything else — and almost always when left open and unattended. A parasol is a large sail; even a moderate gust can bend ribs, snap the pole or tip the whole thing over.
Close and secure your parasol whenever it’s windy, and any time you leave it unattended or go indoors — even on a calm day, weather can turn quickly. Never leave a parasol open overnight. If strong winds are forecast, take the canopy down altogether. Wind damage is the single most common cause of parasol failure, and it’s almost entirely preventable.
The right base & weight
A cantilever is only as stable as what holds it down — and because the canopy is offset from the base, getting the weight right matters even more than on a traditional parasol. This is essential for safety as well as longevity.
The right cross-base
A cantilever needs a substantial cross-base loaded with the correct number of weights or filled slabs. Always use the full weight specified for your model — an under-weighted cantilever will tip in wind.
On firm, level ground
Site the base on a firm, level surface so the weight is evenly supported. Soft or sloping ground undermines even a correctly weighted base.
Always check the base is on firm, level ground, and that weights are fully fitted before opening the canopy.
Cleaning the canopy & frame
A light, occasional clean keeps the canopy fresh and stops the mechanism gumming up. Always clean the canopy open, and let it dry fully open too.
Brush off loose debris
With the canopy open, brush away dust, pollen, leaves and any bird mess before it works into the fabric. Doing this regularly prevents most marks from ever forming.
Sponge with warm soapy water
Use a soft cloth or sponge with mild washing-up liquid and warm water. Clean the whole panel, not just the mark, to avoid leaving a water ring, then wipe down the frame and ribs too.
Rinse and dry fully open
Rinse off the soap with clean water, then leave the parasol open until the canopy is completely dry. Closing a damp canopy is the main cause of mildew and musty smells.
Looking after the mechanism
Crank, rotation & tilt
Operate the crank and any rotation or tilt slowly and smoothly — never force it. If it stiffens or catches, stop and check for grit or debris rather than cranking harder. A tiny amount of dry silicone lubricant can free up a stiff mechanism if needed.
Ribs, arm & pole
Check the ribs and support arm are straight and the fixings sound at the start of each season. Don't hang anything from the ribs or canopy, and always fully close the canopy before rotating, lowering or tilting.
Keep it simple — and safe
Do
- Close it in wind and when unattended
- Use the full base weight for your model
- Clean and dry the canopy fully open
- Operate the mechanism slowly and gently
- Use the cover, and store it dry over winter
Don’t
- Leave it open in wind or overnight
- Use it under-weighted, ever
- Force a stiff crank or rotation
- Close or store the canopy while damp
- Use bleach, solvents or a jet wash
Season by season
A parasol is best brought in over winter. Once it’s clean and bone-dry, store the canopy closed in its cover, somewhere dry. If the base and frame have to stay out, keep the canopy closed, covered and well secured — and bring the canopy in if you can. Storing it dry is the single best thing you can do for its lifespan.
A few common questions
- My cantilever feels wobbly. Almost always too little base weight, or uneven ground. Add the full weights specified for your model and check the base is firm and level — never use a cantilever under-weighted.
- The crank or rotation has gone stiff. Usually grit or debris in the mechanism. Stop — don't force it — clean around the moving parts, and try a little dry silicone lubricant. Forcing a stiff mechanism is what breaks it.
- Will the canopy fade? The fabric is UV-stable and fade-resistant, so any change over several seasons is gradual and even. Cleaning it and storing it out of the weather over winter keeps it looking new for longer.
- There's a musty smell or green patches on the canopy. That's mildew from being closed or stored damp. Open it fully, clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush, rinse, and dry completely in the open air before closing.
- Water no longer beads on the canopy. The water-repellent finish can wear over time. A clean often revives it; if not, a fabric-safe outdoor re-proofing spray can restore the beading.
Whenever your parasol isn’t in use, close it and fit its protective cover. A cover shields both the frame and the canopy from rain, UV, dust and bird mess between uses — it’s the simplest way to keep it looking new and is well worth doing all season, not just over winter. Cantilever parasols are large and heavy, so they’re often left out over winter — if yours is, it must be kept closed and covered the whole time. Leaving a cantilever uncovered through winter is the quickest way to weather both the frame and the canopy.
Your parasol is covered by a 1-year warranty. Looking after it as set out here — particularly closing it in wind, using the correct base weight, and storing it dry — helps keep it within the terms of that guarantee. Wind damage, forcing the mechanism, using an inadequate base, or storing the canopy while damp isn’t covered, so a little routine care protects your cover as well as your parasol.
Need a hand?
If something doesn’t look right, or the mechanism isn’t operating as it should, please contact your retailer before you reach for tools or anything stronger. They’ll always rather help you get it right first time.