It's perfectly possible to clean your garden parasol to keep it looking its best. You can start by gently using a soft brush or vacuum with a brush attachment to clean away dust and small debris. Then, wash the fabric using a diluted mix of laundry detergent, leave it to soak for 20 minutes, then rinse it before allowing it to dry.

The canopy itself is water-resistant but offers a little less sun protection than the first choice on our list with a UV30+ rating. You also don't get the LED lights with this option, although with a significant cost saving we'd be happy to sacrifice the built-in option and consider some different outdoor lighting ideas instead. Frames can be gently cleaned with a soft cloth using a mix of dish soap and warm water. How should you store a parasol at the end of summer? However, in our tests, the crank handle was easy to operate and did a smooth job of raising and lowering the canopy, and the tilt button was easy to depress to achieve optimum shade coverage. We also liked the push-button design that made for super easy assembly of the two poles.An air vent at the top of the canopy allows air to circulate more freely beneath it to keep you cool in humid weather. Plus, it helps to decrease the amount of uplift in breezy weather. The 200g polyester canopy offers plenty of sun protection as it has a UV rating of 50+. Additionally, it has a fade resistance level of 5/6 which means the colour is extremely protected against fading or discolouration.

If you need something larger still then it may be worth considering one of the best gazebos in our dedicated buyer's guide instead.

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This reasonably priced rust-resistant aluminium cantilever parasol offers 360° free-arm rotation operated by a foot pedal to enable you to easily swing the canopy around as the sun moves without moving the base, and a tilting canopy that offers even more ability to fine-tune your shade. The square ribs that measure 12 x 18mm are much stronger than standard parasol ribs which makes the parasol much more durable against tough weather conditions. Make sure you have everything you need to enjoy the good weather when it arrives; find the ideal way to relax with our guide to the best sun loungers and get ready to cook up an alfresco storm with the best BBQ.