Surely you have already taken the furniture from the terrace or from the garden and have begun to enjoy them. And, with them, also all the textiles that accompany it. Cushions and mats are usually stained throughout the summer. Stains of ice cream, sun cream, or tomato sauce can ruin your precious – and precious – outdoor fabrics. You will also have to pay special attention to how they are washed. High temperatures or fabric softener can overload its waterproof properties, for example. Step by Step.
- How to remove specific stains from outdoor fabrics
- How to wash outdoor fabrics
- How to Clean the Foam on Outdoor Cushions
- A few extra recommendations for your outdoor textiles
When tissue is stained, it is very important to act from the first moment so that the stain does not penetrate. So if possible try to remove it before it dries. First, clean the stain with a cloth, being careful not to spread it. To do this, pass the cloth from the outside to the inside, picking up the dirt carefully. Then depending on the type of stain, you will act in one way or another. Be that as it may, yes, check any mixture first in an invisible area to make sure it doesn’t spoil the fabric.
HOW TO REMOVE SPECIFIC STAINS FROM OUTDOOR FABRICS
- Ketchup, coffee, must, egg, or bird droppings: mix 60 ml of a neutral soap in 4 liters of water. Rub the stain with a soft-bristled brush, rinse with water, and allow drying thoroughly.
- Beer, food coloring, or dog pee: mix 60 ml of neutral soap, 80 ml of cleaning vinegar –which will act as a deodorizer– and 4 l of water. Rub with a soft brush and rinse well.
- Greasy stains, such as oil, butter, or tomato sauce: put cornstarch on the stain and wait for it to absorb for about 10 minutes. Remove the excess and clean with a mixture of neutral soap and water in the above proportions.
- Pencil or charcoal: vacuum first and then clean with the same proportions of soap and water.
- Mold: Although technical fabrics do not usually have this problem, it is best to get ahead of the problem by cleaning. To avoid their appearance, do a monthly cleaning with a hose or brush with a soft bristle to remove dirt. Please note that on many vinyl fabrics, mold stains are not removed.
HOW TO WASH OUTDOOR FABRICS
- Step 1. Dust off first. You can shake the cushions, while for larger mats it is advisable to use the vacuum cleaner.
- Step 2. Mix one part of neutral soap and nine parts of water. If it smells bad, you can include a little vinegar or baking soda.
- Step 3. Rub the canvas with a soft brush.
- Step 4. Leave to act with a clean sponge or towel.
- Step 5. Rinse with plenty of water.
- Step 6. Let it air dry.
HOW TO CLEAN THE FOAM ON OUTDOOR CUSHIONS
If the stuffing fits in the washing machine, you can wash it there , always taking care to balance the load so it doesn’t spoil. Also put it in a cover to prevent it from spoiling and choose a gentle spin so that it does not deform. If the cushion is very large, you can use the bathtub to do so.
- Step 1. Vacuum the cushion or mat with the vacuum cleaner.
- Step 2. Dip the foam cushion in water and wash any stains with an enzymatic detergent, which will remove stains and odors.
- Step 3. Rinse the cushion and wash it again with dishwasher detergent. To remove the dirt well, do the same movement as when kneading bread.
- Step 4. Rinse as many times as necessary until there is no soap.
- Step 5. Drain the cushion well and put it in the sun to dry. This is the most important step to prevent mold and mildew from proliferating.
A FEW EXTRA RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR OUTDOOR TEXTILES
- Always check the label of any fabric. Typically, the main characteristics appear, as well as the washing recommendations.
- Do not wash these fabrics at high temperatures, use warm or cold water.
- Act as soon as possible against any stain, be it food, bird droppings, or resins. These residues can penetrate the fabric and irreparably damage it.
- Wash your outdoor cushions and mats during the summer, if you see that they have become dirty. And always before saving them for the following season.
- Always keep them dry. You will prevent them from spoiling.
- Never apply strong cleaners based on acetone and solvents that can damage the fabric.
- Do not use fabric softener, as it can spoil certain technical fabrics.
- Certain items of clothing may contain dyes that damage the fabric, especially if it is lighter. Be careful because this type of stains is irreversible in certain outdoor fabrics.
