Caring for your wooden parasol.
A wooden parasol brings a natural, classic look to the garden — and with a little routine care for both canopy and timber, plus one golden rule about wind, it'll look beautiful for years. Here's how.
What your parasol is made of
Your parasol pairs a natural timber frame with an all-weather canopy fabric that’s woven and treated to be water-repellent, UV-stable and fade-resistant. The timber gives it a softer, classic look than metal — but because it’s natural wood rather than a coated metal, the frame itself needs a little extra care.
It’s a traditional centre-pole design — the pole runs through the middle, usually sat in a table hole and a weighted base, and opened with a pulley system. The canopy care is the same as any parasol; the difference is all in looking after the wood.
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 parasol is only as stable as what holds it down. Using the correct base — and enough weight — is essential for safety as well as longevity.
The right base
Use a weighted base suited to the canopy size, and where possible feed the pole through a table for extra support. The bigger the canopy, the more base weight it needs.
On firm, level ground
A parasol on soft or uneven ground is far more likely to lean or tip. Site the base on a firm, level surface, and don't rely on the table alone to hold a large canopy.
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 the timber in good order. Always clean the canopy open, and let everything 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 a wooden frame
A timber frame is natural wood, not a coated metal, so it behaves differently — it’s part of the charm, but it needs a little more attention than aluminium.
- Expect it to weather. Left in the sun and rain, natural timber gradually silvers to a soft grey. This is normal and doesn't affect strength — if you prefer to keep the original tone, see oiling below.
- Keep it dry between uses. Timber dislikes sitting wet for long periods, which is what leads to surface mildew and splitting. Dry it off after rain where you can, and never store it away damp.
- Oil it occasionally. Once or twice a season, a wipe of clear hardwood or teak oil feeds the timber, restores the colour and helps it shed water. Clean and dry the wood first, then apply a thin, even coat.
- Don't use harsh cleaners. Skip bleach, solvents and pressure washers on timber — warm soapy water and a soft cloth or brush is all it needs. Sand any rough patches lightly by hand before re-oiling.
Looking after the mechanism
Pulley & cord
Operate the pulley slowly and smoothly — never yank it. If the cord frays or the pulley stiffens, stop and check it rather than pulling harder. Keep the cord clean and free of grit.
Ribs & pole
Check the ribs are sound and the joints tight at the start of each season. Don't hang anything from the ribs or canopy, and always fully close the canopy before lowering, so nothing strains against the fabric or the timber.
Keep it simple — and safe
Do
- Close it in wind and when unattended
- Use the correct base and full weight
- Clean and dry the canopy fully open
- Oil the timber once or twice a season
- Use the cover, and store it dry over winter
Don’t
- Leave it open in wind or overnight
- Store the timber or canopy while damp
- Use bleach, solvents or a jet wash on the wood
- Yank a stiff pulley cord
- Hang anything from the ribs or canopy
Season by season
A wooden parasol especially benefits from being brought in over winter — prolonged cold and wet is harder on timber than on metal. Once it’s clean, dry and ideally freshly oiled, store it closed in its cover somewhere dry, such as a shed or garage. Storing it dry is the single best thing you can do for its lifespan.
A few common questions
- The timber has turned grey. That's natural silvering from sun and rain — it's normal and doesn't weaken the wood. To bring back the original tone, clean and dry the frame, then apply a clear hardwood or teak oil.
- There are small cracks or splits in the wood. Fine surface checking is normal in natural timber as it expands and contracts. Keeping it oiled and stored dry minimises it; it rarely affects strength.
- 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. That's mildew from being closed or stored damp — on the canopy or the wood. 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. If you can’t bring it indoors over winter, it must stay closed and covered while it’s outside — this matters even more for timber than for metal.
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.