Although the outdoors is a great place to relax, its changing weather can be a little harsh especially when it comes to furniture, tents or cushions. If you are fond of staying outdoors, then it’s time that you invest in outdoor fabrics for your seats and other furniture to make them last.
Outdoor fabrics come treated from the factory. They are sprayed with special elements so that they would stand against heat, rain and color fading. There are several types of materials used for these fabrics, and choosing which to use would depend on your needs. Olefin, polyesters and acrylics for example are the softest materials which makes them ideal for outdoor sofas and throw pillows. Vinyl and PVC, on the other hand are stiffer which makes them ideal for outdoor umbrellas or tents.
Fabrics that were made specifically for outdoor use come in all sorts of designs and patterns, and this goes to say that you don’t have to sacrifice looks to have something that will last longer. Stripes, polka dots and floral patterns are just some of the designs available for outdoor fabrics. They also come in about a thousand colors that there’s no doubt finding something to fit your taste.
Fabrics such as acrylic and polyesters are machine washable, although they are not recommended to be dried in the dryer. PVC and vinyl on the other hand can be wiped for daily cleaning or mild soap and water can also be used for a deeper cleaning. They are not machine washable, as throwing them in the washing machine can ruin the fabric. These fabrics are also not recommended for ironing, as doing so can melt the entire fabric.
Although outdoor fabrics were made to stand against the harsh elements of nature, they were not made to last forever which means you would still need to replace them at some point. Most of these fabrics can withstand up to 500 hours of direct sunlight, which makes them last for more or less 50 days before the colors starts fading. Vinyl and other stiffer materials can also rip due to the weather. Taking care of these fabrics means cleaning it up regularly. If you are not sure how, you can always check the manufacturers cleaning guidelines manual or look it up the internet. You might also want to keep these fabrics from lotions and oils as such product can breakdown the fabrics’ UV protection.