Why an umbrella needs a cover
A good parasol costs as much as a used car. A cover costs a fraction of that, yet it is the deciding factor in how long you will enjoy your parasol.
What takes its toll on a parasol
It’s not the sun. The fabric is made for that. What takes its toll on a parasol is everything else: bird droppings that burn into the fabric. Pollen and linden resin that combine with rain to form a film. Moisture that cannot dry out inside a folded parasol.
And then mildew. That doesn't come from the rain, but from leaving a damp parasol closed and standing. Once it’s there, it doesn't come out.
What a cover needs to be capable of
It must fit. A cover that is too loose will flap in the wind and chafe the fabric at the seams; one that is too tight will be impossible to pull over the parasol with cold, numb fingers in the autumn.
It must remain open at the bottom. That sounds wrong, but it is the most important point: if no air can get in at the bottom, the cover becomes a greenhouse. That is exactly when mildew forms, even though the parasol is supposedly protected.
And it should have a rod or a loop that allows you to get it over a three-meter-high parasol without getting a ladder. Anything cumbersome is something you stop doing after the third time.
The two mistakes we see most often
First: pulling the cover over a wet parasol. Better to leave it open for an hour and pack it away afterwards.
Second: leaving the parasol outside under the cover during winter. A cover is rain protection, not winter quarters. If you have a dry place in the basement or garage, that is where the parasol belongs – complete with the cover, to keep it from getting dusty.
Basic or Custom
For standard sizes, the basic cover is sufficient. As soon as the parasol is square, has a cantilever mechanism, or is a custom size, we sew the cover to fit – otherwise you will have exactly those folds and tensions that destroy the fabric.
If you are unsure which one belongs to your parasol, send us the model and dimensions, and we will tell you.
To the protective covers · Care and protection
