How To Maintain The Life Of Outdoor Fabrics

Published: Wednesday, July 31, 2019
By: Marianne Iosso, Iosso Products

Keeping outdoor fabrics looking good is really easy with a few helpful hints. Whether we’re talking about awnings, boating fabrics, or pop-up camper tops, being outdoor fabrics they all require care to keep them looking good and functioning properly. By following a few simple care instructions, these fabrics will maintain good looks for many years to come.

Inspect & Prevent

Because mildew is a fungus that grows in small amounts of dirt on warm, damp surfaces, regular inspection and prevention of dirt buildup is one of the best (and easiest) ways to maintain life of your fabric. Even if a fabric is mildew-resistant, mildew can still grow on accumulated dirt, which is caused by insect or bird droppings, leaves, tree sap, or environmental pollutants. Combine any of these with moisture and darkness and you’ll have mildew or stains, which will deteriorate any fabric quickly.

Regularly inspect fabrics and prevent dirt from remaining on the fabric too long or becoming embedded in the fabric. Always check the underside of fabrics (where it is dark/damp), and for water pooling on the fabric. If pooling occurs, make the necessary adjustments so that water will run off properly.

Wherever you find dirt, use a soft bristled brush and lightly brush it off. Hose down fabrics after use - or at least every few weeks - making sure to pick a hot, sunny day so that fabrics will dry quickly. Ensure all items are dried thoroughly before they get put away.

Clean

Soap and water will not remove mildew or stains, so once you have them, you will need a more vigorous cleaning program. Iosso Mold & Mildew Stain Remover will remove all types of tough stains without damaging the fabric. It is a powdered, biodegradable concentrate that does not contain bleach. It will not damage fabric colors or weaken threads. It is safe to grass, trees, bushes, and wildlife, plus it’s very economical! One jar mixes up to three gallons of solution for $15.00.

Easy to use, mix the concentrate up, brush or spray it on, and let it sit for several minutes or until stains are lightened. Don’t scrub; gently apply it. If you are cleaning a large area, spray it on with a garden pump type sprayer you can pick up at a local hardware store. This pump will allow you to access the hard to reach places, too. You can also use a pressure washer, but keep the pressure on low enough to avoid fabric damage. After waiting, rinse completely and let air dry.

Protect

In order to keep all fabrics looking good and weathering well, they should be protected from the elements. Many different types of protectant products are on the market; some are silicone or solvent based and leave an oily residue only offering water repellency. Contrarily, the Iosso Water Repellent is water-based and leaves no residue. It protects without changing the look or feel of the fabric and offers triple protection against water, soil, and oil.

Always be sure the fabric is clean and dry before application. (If you don’t, applying repellent will seal in the dirt, making matters worse.) Once dry, apply by spraying or brushing the solution onto the fabric. Let it dry at least 24 hours before exposing the fabric to rain or water.

The Iosso Water Repellent is available in various sizes, even in concentrate. In addition to being priced very well to begin with, concentrates have hidden savings in shipping. Iosso’s one gallon concentrate mixes up to five gallons, saving you four gallons (or 38lbs) in shipping charges. Many of the alternative products cannot offer a concentrate due to the chemistry of the product.

Another great option is the Iosso Fabric Cleaner & Protectant Kit. It contains one jar of Mold & Mildew Stain Remover, which will mix up to three gallons of product, and it contains a quart concentrate of the Water Repellent, which mixes up to two gallons of product. Enough to clean and protect up to 450 sq ft of fabric, it’s only $74.00.