Specialty Fabrics Review September 2022 - 72

When confidence is low,
cleaning/maintenance
goes up. When people
are feeling more
optimistic, they may opt
for new or replacement
fabrics instead.
drying machines and related products,
like chemicals, tools and personal
protective equipment (PPE), says that
ideally, they should be cleaned in a
washing machine after every other use,
particularly when cleanliness is still on
everyone's minds-although this can
vary by the client.
" Companies that provide tenting
for high-profile events must provide
the cleanest tents possible and
follow strict cleaning protocols, " he
explains. " [But] often clients who
need a tent for an industrial setting
are less concerned about cleanliness.
Justifying a strict cleaning routine
may not make sense for companies
serving more industrial clients. "
Figuring out which chemicals to use
or avoid can be " tricky, " Arendt says.
Some stains can only be removed from
a tent top by an " aggressive " cleaning
product whereas other more common
soils and stains will respond to a safer,
gentler agent. For example:
* Chlorine works well on mold stains.
* Low-pH acid products may be the
only option for cleaning non-organic
stains like inks or dyes.
* High-pH products can be effective
at removing organic stains like grease
and oils.
" Solvents are excellent at removing
Looking to improve your
Marine Fabrication
TECHNICAL SKILLS?
REGISTER
TODAY!
Register now for MFA Regional Workshops. Join us to learn handson
marine fabrication education. Build your network with like-minded
business owners and share information while you socialize with
marine fabricators.
Southwest Regional Workshop
Nov. 11-12, 2022 | Salt Lake City, UT USA
SugarHouse Industries and SewLong - Custom Covers
REGISTER TODAY!
Textiles.org/MarineWorkshops
ORGANIZED BY
many tough stains. However, most
solvents harm the vinyl used for
tent tops, " he says. " Chlorine and
pH-modified products can harm vinyl,
webbing, stitching and the person
doing the cleaning. A cleaning agent
with a near-neutral pH is the most
likely choice to protect the vinyl,
webbing and stitching found on a tent. "
It's also critical that protective gear
is worn during the cleaning process
and that those undertaking the task
know how to read an MSDS, or
material safety data sheet, Arendt says.
When it comes to protecting vinyl,
Tharpe advises using non-petroleumbased
cleaning products. Otherwise,
the threads could yellow over time.
" Never use Clorox® as your major
cleaning liquid-this could damage the
threads, " he cautions. " Use only HH-66
vinyl cement for making repairs, as this
is specially formulated to work with
vinyl products. If using a hot-air gun
for making repairs, ensure you know
what you're doing so as to not damage
the vinyl. "
Probably the best way to avoid a
tough cleaning situation and extend
product life span is not getting the
tops dirty to begin with, Arendt
says, adding that a careless approach
to install and teardown can cause
72 SPECIALTY FABRICS REVIEW / September 2022
http://www.Textiles.org/MarineWorkshops
Specialty Fabrics Review September 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Specialty Fabrics Review September 2022
