Several years ago I had a dodger and bimini top made for our Bristol sailboat. The fabric was the best Sunbrella along with Tenara thread and the best plastic/glass material for the windows. I don't mind paying for quality but, I want it to last. The shop making it has a great reputation. The whole project was rather pricey but, again, top quality. Dave LeBlanc, the shop owner suggested washing the fabric on a regular, annual, basis. However, NOT in a washing machine. Sunbrella is great stuff but, it is highly susceptible to abrasion. So, wash it gently by hand. In addition, since I was still working at the time, the boat sat idle more than it was being used. So, one last piece of the whole project was to have Dave fabricate a sacrificial cover for the dodger of a less expensive material. The bimini was easily removed, rolled up and stored inside. The sacrificial cover turned out to be quite valuable. It protected the expensive Sunbrella from the most damaging element, sunlight, and any other damaging elements here on the southern Chesapeake such as the acid rain and soot from the local coal burning power plant. So, wash it gently and cover it when possible. It should last for many years. Pablo