Sunbrella

K

ken 120

New member
Has anyone tried washing sunbrella covers in a commercial washing machine-have a deck cover that is heavily stained on the inside.

Happy New Year

Ken
 
Yes - I've done it. Not in a commercial washer but in my home washing machine. Use one of the detergents designed for water proofed items and it's not a problem.
 
The inside of the cover is stained with dirt and mold-Roger what brand of laundry detergent is recommeneded for water proof fabrics??

Ken
 
I used Woolite w/ cold water; delicate setting and air dried the material. Worked fine. I've also tried to use Woolite w/ a little Clorox. (It was my deck/patio table cover and was a combo black/green w/ mold etc.) NOT a good idea. The piece survived but the water repellency was gone.

http://www.sunbrella.com/na/cc_marine_tops_covers.php

When it’s time for a thorough cleaning, Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned while still on a boat or, size permitting, they can be removed for cleaning in a washing machine or dockside. When cleaning Sunbrella fabrics, it is important to observe the following:

•Always use a mild soap such as Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite.
•Water should be cold to lukewarm (Never more than 100°F/38°C.)
•Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
•Air dry only. Never apply heat to Sunbrella fabrics.
General or light cleaning
To clean Sunbrella while still on a boat, follow these simple steps:

•Brush off loose dirt.
•Hose down.
•Prepare a cleaning solution of water and mild soap such as Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite (no detergents).
•Use a soft bristle brush to clean.
•Allow cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
•Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed.
•Air dry.
•May not require re-treatment depending on the age of the fabric.
If stubborn stains persist, you can use a diluted chlorine bleach/soap mixture for spot cleaning of mildew, roof run-off or other similar stains (see our Stain Chart for specific recommendations).

Heavy cleaning for stubborn stains and mildew
Sunbrella fabric does not promote mildew growth, however, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric. To clean mildew, or other stubborn stains:

•Eight ounces (one cup) of chlorine bleach.
•Two ounces (1/4 cup) of mild soap and/or detergent.
•One gallon of water.
•Clean with soft bristle brush.
•Allow mixture to soak into the fabric for up to 15 minutes.
•Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed.
•Air dry.
•Repeat if necessary.
•Re-treatment of fabric for water and stain resistance will be necessary.
Remember to protect the area around your Sunbrella fabric if using a bleach solution. Carpet or other fabrics that are not Sunbrella may have an adverse reaction to the bleach. If a boat cover is suitable in size for a washing machine, these steps should be followed:

•Use mild soap and/or detergent.
•For heavier stains add 1 cup of bleach to wash.
•Wash and rinse in cold water.
•Air dry. Never apply heat to Sunbrella.
•Re-treatment for water and stain resistance will be necessary after machine washing.
Click to expand...
 
I used Penguin Sports Wash detergent which I buy at REI for laundering water proof gear. They also sell a Nikwax product that can be used with Goretex and similar fabrics in the washer to restore the waterproofing. I don't know how well this would work with Sunbrella, but if you have some Sunbrella that has lost its water repellent ability, it would be worth a try.
 
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