Whether we’re at home or manning a business, it’s tough to surrender our outdoor fun when the cold creeps in. Winter can threaten your parasol setup: besides the dropping temperatures, there’s frost, moisture and wind to contend with. We always encourage people to prepare for the colder months – and that includes the safety and condition of luxury parasols.
So keep reading for a no-holds look at how your canopies can stay on top form through November, December, January and beyond…
Be pro-active with cover protectors
Most parasols worth their price tag have a cover to accompany them. It’ll be made of special, toughened fabric to guard against any sustained rain, hail, frost or outdoor debris. Weatherproof covers should be a good fit around the main unit, with a tie to secure them, and an easy-slip functionality over the top.
The weather can turn overnight; even if conditions appear quite dry, that probably won’t last for very long. Therefore, ensure you cover each parasol up when it’s not being used. This will help with cleaning too, as any dirt or leaves can be brushed off from the protective layer instead of the canopy itself.
A regular scrubbing schedule
Whilst we’re on the subject of soaps and suds, it’s best to give the parasol a soak-down anyway at least once a week. It’ll prevent the build-up of mould, which stems from exposure to the winter air – there’s a lot of moisture in it, and snow in particular can make the material damp, dripping and primed for the growth of bacteria.
We suggest taking warm water, a light cleaning solution and a sponge, before going thoroughly over the parasol from inch to inch. Try to do it in the sunniest conditions possible; then leave the parasol exposed until it has dried out. Covering it back up straight away will only conserve the damp from the water you’ve used.
Explore stabilising methods
One thing we certainly don’t want, more than anything, is a sudden collapse from an extreme winter gale. For this, Instashade is ready to fight back with an optional stabiliser bar for some of our most popular items, including the Cantilever Umbrella. It’ll keep your investment safe and stable should any high winds start to pick up.
On the other hand, you may prefer a more permanent solution: the ‘grounding’ of parasols in a space you think they’ll be suited to. By removing a paving slab or two, and placing the base in the open cavity before filling the area up again with concrete, businesses or homeowners can give it the best chance of never toppling over.
Follow these tips to protect your parasols from any season, holding back the worst effects of snow, ice and strong gusts in the UK. Scour Instashade’s product range for a parasol to suit your requirements, either as a domestic or professional investment. Got a question? Contact us for more guidance.