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How do I keep my
Sunbrella fabric clean? B.R., via e-mail
Washing it
down with fresh water on a regular basis will prevent dirt from becoming
embedded in the fabric. While the fabric can be cleaned right on the boat,
you can, if it’s practical, remove it and put it in your washing
machine. If you do this, use only mild natural soap like Ivory and wash
and rinse in cold water. Do not place the fabric in the dryer. Instead,
let it air dry.
If you are cleaning
the fabric aboard your boat, first brush off any loose dirt. Then scrub
it gently with a soft-bristle brush using a mixture of Ivory soap and
water, and allow the mixture to soak for at least 20 minutes. Rinse the
fabric thoroughly, and let it air-dry. Repeat these steps if necessary.
Treat stubborn stains
with a mixture of diluted chlorine bleach and soap. Sunbrella recommends
mixing four ounces of chlorine bleach with two ounces of mild soap (again,
Ivory works well) in one gallon of water. Scrub the stain with a soft
bristle brush and again allow the mixture to soak in for at least 20 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly, allow to air-dry, and repeat if necessary.
Sunbrella is treated
with a fluorocarbon mixture, and vigorous cleaning can remove this coating
and reduce the fabric’s water resistance. Therefore, it is recommended
that you re-treat the fabric using 303’s High Tech Fabric Guard
after such cleanings or after five years of use. Depending on the weight
of the fabric, a 15-ounce aerosol can should cover up to 50 square feet.
Apply the product in two coats, allowing drying time between coats.
If you have questions
about specific stains, contact Sunbrella at (336) 221-2211 or visit www.sunbrella.com.
Need help with a
maintenance problem? Write to Maintenance Q & A, Power & Motoryacht,
260 Madison Ave., 8th Fl., New York, NY 10016. Fax: (917) 256-2282. e-mail:
ken_kreisler@primediamags.com.
No phone calls, please.
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