What To Look For When Buying Outdoor Fabrics

Are you struggling with outdoor fabric?

With summer around the corner, it’s time to dust off those patio sets and get ready to soak up some rays. But summer isn’t all sunshine and your outdoor fabrics have to stand up to the outdoor elements. With so many choices on the market, this can be overwhelming and you might not know what fabrics suit your needs.

That’s where we can help! Keep reading for our guide on what to consider when buying outdoor fabrics.

Use Terms to Guide You

The main focus of choosing any kind of upholstery is will it stand up to wear and tear from sitting on it. But with outdoor fabric, it’s also got to stand up to UV, rain, dirt and so much more.

When searching in-store or online, look out for these outdoor upholstery fabric terms:

• Outdoor/indoor fabric
• Outdoor fabric only
• All-weather fabric
• Weather-resistant fabric
• Waterproof fabric

You can also consider oilcloth or vinyl; materials used more often for tote bags or retro table cloths. They’ll stand up against water, are sturdy, and easy to wipe down to keep clean.

Think About Dye & Weave

Woven acrylic fabrics will stand up better against fading from UV light. Polyester print and acrylic print alike don’t hold out so well and will fade more over time.

To get their color the fibers get woven into yarns first. Then they go through the dyeing process. Only after that are they woven into the fabrics you can buy in the store. And usually, you buy outdoor fabric by the yard.

Solution-dyed acrylic shakes things up as the dyeing happens before it becomes yarn. Liquid acrylic mixes with the color dye and then gets formed into fibers. Those colored fibers then get spun into yarn.

This fabric’s design makes it colorfast against the elements over time. It’s also able to hold up to the normal wear and tear outdoor cushion fabric experiences. Usually, it’s breathable, resistant to water, and quick to dry too.

Look Up Water and Mildew Resistance

Is your chosen fabric waterproof or resistant to water? Outdoor upholstery fabric should have a protective coating keeping out water and moisture. In turn, this will keep mold and mildew at bay.

But the more you use and clean the fabric the more it will break down over time. This is normal, so even the most robust outdoor furniture fabric will need replacing. Even the outdoor rocking chair cushions that stay undercover don’t last forever.

Pick For Ease of Maintenance

Ever since 1969, fabrics come showing their cleanability code. Some outdoor fabrics use Microban in their weave. This protects and prevents staining, odor, bacteria, mold, and mildew.

Make sure you brush off dirt and debris regularly. Only use a cleaning solution that’s safe for the fabric. Rinse it off with clean water and let it air dry.

Choosing Outdoor Fabrics Made Simple

Think about the furniture you need the fabric for and what its use is. Will it be under shade or cover most of the time? Will it have to sit out in the elements? How much time do you have to clean it?

You must find outdoor fabrics that work around your needs to get the best results. If you found this article helpful, make sure to check out our blog for more home and lifestyle tips.