Protecting Your Outdoor Fabric
Outdoor fabric is a great way to add color and pattern to your outdoor space. But unless you take steps to protect it, it won’t last long. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can fade fabric, and the rain can mildew it. Here are some tips for protecting your outdoor fabric so you can enjoy it for years to come.
1. Choose the right fabric.
Some fabrics are more durable than others. Sunbrella and Outdura are two brands that make fabrics specifically for outdoor use. They’re made to withstand the elements and resist fading and mildew.
2. Cover it up.
If you can’t find a fabric you like that’s made for outdoors, or if you want to prolong the life of an indoor fabric you’re using outdoors, try covering it with a clear vinyl or acrylic material. You can find this material at most fabric stores. It will protect the fabric from the sun and rain but still allow you to see the design of the fabric underneath.
3. Bring it inside.
When bad weather is forecasted, bring your outdoor cushions and pillows inside so they don’t get wet or blown around by the wind. Store them in a dry place until the weather clears up.
4. Clean it regularly.
To prevent mildew, clean your outdoor fabric with a solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water at least once a month (more often if it gets dirty). Let the solution soak into the fabric for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with clean water. You can also buy products specifically designed for cleaning outdoor fabrics; just follow the instructions on the label.
5. Watch out for critters.
Birds, squirrels, and other critters can damage your outdoor fabrics with their claws or beaks. To prevent this, hang bird feeders away from where people sit and put squirrel feeders high up where they can’t reach them easily. If you have a problem with rabbits eating your plants, try putting chicken wire around them (just be sure to remove it when they’re done so they don’t get tangled in it).
Outdoor fabric is a great way to add color and pattern to your patio or deck, but unless you take steps to protect it from the sun and rain, it won’t last long. By choosing the right fabric, covering it up, bringing it inside during bad weather, and cleaning it regularly, you can keep your outdoor fabric looking good for years to come.
How do you protect Outdoor fabric? We recommend the use of 303® Fabric Guard to restore the water-repellency of your outdoor fabrics. Fabric protectants are usually spray-on products that help add water resistance and stain repellence to a fabric. They can also offer mildew resistance and UV screening to control fading.
Is there anything better than Scotchgard? Maker suggests a green protectant called Vectra, which is similar to Scotchgard but made with gentler ingredients. She says it’s the leading choice for green furniture protection because it’s silicone free, fluorocarbon free, and safe for everything from suede to microfiber.
What is the best fabric protector on the market?
Here are the best fabric protectors
- Best fabric protector overall: Scotchguard Fabric Water Shield.
- Best fabric protector for outdoor furniture: Bayes High-Performance Fabric Protectant Spray.
- Best fabric protector for carpets and rugs: TriNova Stain Guard Premium Fabric Protection.
Which Scotchgard is best for outdoor furniture? Keep your outdoor oasis looking great season after season with Scotchgard Outdoor Sun & Water Shield. Designed to reduce color fading, Scotchgard Outdoor Sun & Water Shield helps protect your furniture and outdoor gear by blocking out the sun’s rays.
How do you protect Outdoor fabric? – Additional Questions
What’s the difference between Scotchgard fabric protector and water shield?
The difference between Scotchgard Fabric Protector and Scotchgard Water Shield is that the former is the original fabric protector that was discontinued due to safety concerns, while the latter is the new formula.
Can Scotchgard be used on outdoor furniture?
In general, Scotchgard™ Sun & Water Shield can be used on patio furniture fabrics, nylon, canvas, polyester, and leather.
Does Scotchgard protect against sun damage?
Designed to reduce color fading, Scotchgard™ Water & Sun Shield
helps protect your furniture and outdoor gear by blocking out the sun’s rays. Plus, its powerful water and stain resistance makes everyday spills disappear in a snap.
Scotchgard™ Water & Sun Shield.
| Attribute Name |
Value |
| Product Type |
Protector |
Is Scotchgard or kiwi better?
Kiwi and Nikwax did better than Scotchgard. Drying rate – If you’re noticing a pattern here, Granger’s was the slowest at drying. Scotchgard dried about as quickly as the remaining two test strips, but it still had some light wet patches.
What is the best cleaner for outdoor furniture?
The 4 Best Outdoor Furniture Cleaners
- Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Pressure Washer Cleaner (1 Gal.) Amazon. $19.99.
- 30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner (64 Fl. Oz.) Amazon.
- RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Spray (32 Fl. Oz.) Amazon.
- Charlie’s Soap Indoor & Outdoor Surface Cleaner (1 Gal.) Amazon. $16.99.
Is Scotchgard worth the money?
Is it really worth it to Scotch guard carpet? In a word, yes. Although it has been mis-sold as a “magic bullet”, it really does help in protecting your carpet. Scotch guard works as a soil retardant – stains will come out quicker, making cleaning your carpet easier the next time you do it.
Why was Scotchgard fabric protector discontinued?
The 3M Company, the giant consumer products company, said today that it would stop making many of its well-known Scotchgard products after tests showed that the chemical compounds used to make the products linger in the environment and in humans for years.
How long does Scotchgard last on furniture?
For upholstery or similar fabrics, reapply Scotchgard™ Fabric Water Shield every six months or after every professional or water extraction cleaning.
Does Scotchgard spray really work?
Because Scotchgard creates a protective barrier around the fibers of your carpet and upholstery, it makes cleaning stains and spills much, MUCH easier. Instead of the liquid instantly absorbing into the fibers, the Scotchgard barrier keeps it on the surface, so you can quickly and more effectively clean up the mess.
How long will Scotchgard last?
For upholstery or similar fabrics, reapply Scotchgard™ Fabric Water Shield every six months or after every professional or water extraction cleaning. For fabrics that you launder, reapply Scotchgard™ Fabric Water Shield every time you wash or dry clean your item.
Are fabric protectors worth it?
While some might feel that furniture fabric protection is unnecessary, the fact is, after spending hundreds (or even thousands!) on a recliner, sofa, or loveseat, it is worth the little bit extra to make sure that a spilled cup of coffee doesn’t ruin your investment.
Does Scotchgard ruin fabric?
Finally, using regular Scotchgard on leather or suede furniture can completely ruin the material as the product is meant to be used only on washable fabrics like polyester, nylon, cotton, silk, and wool, per SFGate.
Is Scotch guarding furniture worth it?
Overall, the product is inexpensive and works great for water resistance and stains. Just follow the instructions carefully and it will water proof any fabric you spray with it, I used it on my couches and on my cars fabric seats, fantastic. Though you to reapply every 3-4 years cause it will wear off.
Does Scotchgard yellow fabric?
If in doubt, test a small, out-of-the-way spot first to make sure your fabric will stay colourfast. If you use Scotchgard™ Heavy Duty Water Shield to treat outdoor gear with white rubber soles, the soles may turn yellow – if that happens, clean the affected area as soon as possible with rubbing alcohol.
Does Scotchgard leave a residue?
Scotch Guard does leave a residue on the carpet that can attract soil. Customers that use scotch guard may notice they need to clean their carpet more frequently than those that use other protective coatings.
How do you remove Scotch Guard?
Place a paper bag over the Scotchgard stain and wait for the iron to heat up. Place the iron on top of the paper bag for 10 seconds. Remove the iron and lift up the paper bag to see if any Scotchgard stuck to the bag. Apply a clean portion of the paper bag if you need to apply the iron again.
Does steam cleaning remove Scotchgard?
Some forms of carpet stain protection will remain present after steam cleaning while others will dissolve when exposed to hot water or detergents. For example, Scotchgard protection, one of the most common forms of carpet protection, will dissolve after contact with hot water and detergents.
