28 Jan Umbrellas and Outdoor Cushions
Posted at 23:27h
in Uncategorized
Bringing color, shade and comfort to your outdoor spaces
Looking for a quick and relatively low cost way to brighten your patio or outdoor room? Colorful umbrellas are a simple way to change the look of your space, make it cozier, and add shade, of course. If your old umbrella is still fine, but the color does not inspire you, why not change the color of the canopy? The Open Room has a large selection of umbrellas in different sizes and colors, tilting and non-tilting.
Outdoor cushions are another way to improve the look and comfort of your outdoor room. We have toss pillows, seat cushions, chaise cushions in a variety of fabrics, and can order custom cushions in just about any size and fabric. Outdoor fabrics are better and more durable than ever, and available in hundreds of colors, patterns and textures.
Why do outdoor fabrics perform as well as they do? How do you care for these fabrics? Want to know more about ordering a variety of outdoor fabrics?
Here are some other important benefits of Sunbrella:
UV protection and energy savings:
- Awnings made of Sunbrella fabric provide significant protection against harmful UV rays. In fact, their dark fabric colors block up to 98% of cancer causing UV rays. The Skin Cancer
- Foundation recommends Sunbrella as an aid in the prevention of sun-induced damage to the skin.
- Sunbrella awnings can reduce a room’s temperature by 8 to 15 degrees. Since Sunbrella is a woven fabric and not coated, it breathes and allow air and moisture to escape.
Sunbrella is environmentally friendly:
- Sunbrella creates no wastewater from dyeing, as its unique coloring process avoids harmful effluents associated with conventional dyeing processes. It also dramatically reduces water and energy consumption.
- Sunbrella furniture fabrics are GREENGUARD certified for indoor air quality, as they are a very low emitting interior product.
- The Recycle My Sunbrella program reclaims pre- and post-consumer. Sunbrella waste and re-purposes it for incorporation into a variety of recycled products.
Contact us for more information about this.
All about outdoor fabrics
The technology of outdoor fabrics has advanced exponentially in the last 10-15 years, as has the variety of colors, textures and patterns available. The range of top-quality outdoor fabrics is bewildering, and many of the new fabrics look and feel like indoor fabrics. In fact, many people are now using outdoor fabrics for their indoor spaces, to take advantage of the resistance to fading and stains. Do outdoor fabrics really live up to the claim of being UV, stain, and mildew resistant? Absolutely – and they do a lot more than that. There are many sources for beautiful outdoor fabrics, including Sunbrella, Outdura and Perennials.
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| Sunbrella | Outdura Echo | Outdura Skyline | Perennial Origami | Perennial Vines |
Here is some helpful background information about these “performance” fabrics, how to choose them, and how to care for them:
Sunbrella
Sunbrella pioneered the technology and use of outdoor fabric, and is still the largest and most well-known brand, offering the longest warranty period on its fabrics (5 years – although we have found that they last a lot longer than that!). Most outdoor fabrics, like Sunbrella, are made of acrylic, and thanks to special solution-dying techniques, the colors will resist fading and won’t wash out. Colors are added to the liquid acrylic mixture, and as a result, become an integral part of the fiber and the finished fabric. As such, the vibrant colors stand up to sun, rain, wind and pollutants that can make other colors fade or run. Sunbrella is also highly soil resistant. Not all outdoor fabrics are alike! Polyesters can fade, and acrylics which are not solution dyed will not have the same properties as performance fabrics like Sunbrella, Outdura and Perennials.
Choosing outdoor fabrics
It is easier than ever to choose outdoor fabrics, and there are hundreds to choose from. In addition to Sunbrella, we also work with, and highly recommend outdoor fabrics from Perennials, (check out their innovative “Color Wheel”!) and Outdura, both high quality acrylics that are UV, stain and mildew resistant. You can order cut yardage, cushions and umbrellas through us from any of these fine manufacturers. For a quote, or to place an order, just pick the pattern and color you want, let us know what you need and contact us at info@openroomfurniture.com or at 1-208-622-0222.
Caring for outdoor fabrics
Each of the above manufacturers offers very useful information on how best to care for outdoor cushions, umbrella canopies and awnings, and how to remove stains. Here is the advice that Sunbrella provides; these tips generally apply to most other outdoor solution-dyed acrylics:
From Sunbrella: One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella® brand fabrics looking good and to delay deep or vigorous cleanings is to properly maintain the fabrics. This can be accomplished by simply brushing off dirt before it becomes embedded in the fabrics, wiping up spills as soon as they occur or spot cleaning soon after stains occur.
General or light cleaning
- Brush off any loose dirt.
- Prepare a cleaning solution of 2 ounces (1/4 cup) mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water (less than 100°F/38°C).
- Use a sponge or a soft bristle brush to clean.
- Allow cleaning solution to soak into fabric.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Allow fabric to air dry.
For removable Sunbrella fabric umbrella and cushion covers, machine wash in cold water (less than 100°F/38°C). Depending on wash load size, use normal amounts of mild laundry soap. Allow fabric to air dry.
Spot cleaning
- Apply a light mist of our recommended cleaning solution using a spray bottle.
- Work the solution into the stain by lightly scrubbing the area with a sponge or very soft bristle brush.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Blot excess moisture with a clean, soft towel or sponge.
- Wet-vacuum or blot excess water.
- Repeat these steps until stain is removed.
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:
- Prepare a solution of 8 ounces (1 cup) of bleach and 2 ounces (1/4 cup) of mild soap per gallon of clean water.
- Spray on entire area and allow to soak into the fabric.
- Scrub vigorously with a soft bristle brush, sponge, or clean towel.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Allow fabric to air dry.
If stain and/or mildew are severe, bleach quantities may be increased.
For removable Sunbrella fabric umbrella and cushion covers, machine wash in cold water (less than 100°F/38°C). Depending on wash load size, use normal amounts of mild laundry soap and add 1 cup of bleach. Allow fabric to air dry. Never put in a dryer!