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Solution-dyed acrylic

Outdoor fabric with the colour built into the fibre rather than applied to it — which is why its maker specifies bleach where it is prohibited almost everywhere else.

What not to do

Mild abrasion may damage Solution-dyed acrylic

Best avoided

The available guidance advises against this.

Evidence

Supported

Sources

  1. Sunbrella Upholstery Care and Cleaning

    Glen Raven, Inc. (Sunbrella), 2023 · Manufacturer documentation

    Relied on for: That scrubbing, hard bristle brushes and any other abrasive cleaning method are to be avoided on the fabric. (states this directly)

In detail

Solution-dyed acrylic is the material behind most garden cushions, awnings and marine covers, and it is one of very few textiles whose manufacturer positively specifies chlorine bleach. The reason is in the name. Ordinary fabric is dyed after the fibre is made, so the colour sits on or near the surface where an oxidising agent can reach it. In solution dyeing the pigment is added to the polymer before the fibre is extruded, so the colour is distributed through the fibre itself and is created during fibre production rather than applied to it. Bleach that would strip a surface dye has far less to work on. That permission is a property of THIS construction and does not travel. It says nothing about surface-dyed or printed outdoor fabric, nothing about the stitching, and nothing about whatever the cushion is filled with. The manufacturer separately warns that bleach used on its fabric may discolour adjacent NON-Sunbrella fabric, which is a neat illustration of the point. The fibre's other useful property is negative: it does not promote mildew growth.

Properties

Sensitivity

Chlorine bleach
Sensitive
Heat
Sensitive
Abrasion
Sensitive
Porous
Sensitive

“Not known” means nobody has established this, not that the material is unaffected.

What works

    Sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) is safe on, in specific conditions, Solution-dyed acrylic

    Safe only in specific conditions

    This is only appropriate within specific limits. Outside those limits, no claim is made.

    An unusual positive clearance for bleach on a textile, and it exists because of how the fibre was dyed rather than because outdoor fabric is tough.

    Only within these limits:

    • one cup of bleach with a quarter cup of mild soap per gallon of water
    • left to soak for 15 minutes, then worked with a sponge, clean towel or very soft bristle brush
    • rinsed thoroughly to remove all residue, then air dried — never machine dried
    • surrounding non-Sunbrella fabric protected, because bleach may discolour it
    • solution-dyed acrylic only; not surface-dyed or printed outdoor fabric

    The manufacturer states that for severe growth the bleach quantity may be increased.

    Precautions

    • Wear gloves
    • Wear eye protection
    • Never mix with other cleaning products
    • Rinse thoroughly afterwards
    • Dispose of responsibly

    Evidence

    Supported

    Sources

    1. Sunbrella Upholstery Care and Cleaning

      Glen Raven, Inc. (Sunbrella), 2023 · Manufacturer documentation

      Relied on for: That mould and mildew are removed with one cup of bleach and a quarter cup of mild soap per gallon of water, sprayed on, soaked for 15 minutes, cleaned with a sponge or very soft brush, rinsed thoroughly and air dried, and that the fabric is solution-dyed acrylic. (states this directly)

    Detergent is safe on, in specific conditions, Solution-dyed acrylic

    Safe only in specific conditions

    This is only appropriate within specific limits. Outside those limits, no claim is made.

    Only within these limits:

    • CONSULT THE FURNITURE MANUFACTURER BEFORE REMOVING THE CASING — cushion construction varies and this comes first
    • All zippers closed
    • Cold water, delicate cycle, normal amount of mild laundry detergent
    • One cup of bleach added only for severe mould
    • AIR DRY. Never a steamer, and never an iron set to steam

    The instruction that gets skipped is the first one: some casings are not meant to come off at all, and the fabric maker defers to the furniture maker rather than answering for it.

    Precautions

    • Check the manufacturer's instructions
    • Test on an inconspicuous area first

    Evidence

    Supported

    Sources

    1. Sunbrella Upholstery Care and Cleaning

      Glen Raven, Inc. (Sunbrella), 2023 · Manufacturer documentation

      Relied on for: That some casings can be machine washed but the furniture manufacturer must be consulted before removing the casing because cushion construction varies, that zippers are closed and the wash is cold on delicate with mild detergent and one cup of bleach for severe mould, that the fabric is air dried, and that a steamer or an iron set to steam must not be used. (states this directly)

    Why

    Hacks and claims involving this

    Sources for this page

    Sources

    1. Sunbrella Upholstery Care and Cleaning

      Glen Raven, Inc. (Sunbrella), 2023 · Manufacturer documentation

      Relied on for: That the fabric is solution-dyed acrylic with colour created during fibre production rather than applied to the surface, that a bleach solution is specified for mould and mildew, that bleach may discolour adjacent non-Sunbrella fabrics, that the fabric does not promote mildew growth, and that steamers, steam irons, scrubbing, hard brushes and machine drying are excluded. (states this directly)

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