When first discovered vinyl was considered to be a useless material. Since then however, it has become a favorite for many different upholstery projects.

Vinyl is extremely durable and will hold up under almost any conditions. Therefore, it is a preferred upholstery fabric for boat cushions, car interiors and patio furniture.

Our vinyl comes in a variety of colors. We also have vinyl with patterns and varying textures.

As tough as our vinyl fabrics are, there are some things you can do to maximize their lifespan.

Cleaning and Maintaining Your Vinyl Fabrics

Vinyl is not impervious to harm. Some of the factors which most affect vinyl are thermal heat, ultraviolet radiation, abrasion and the solvents found in some cleaning products. Heat can cause grime to bake into the surface of your vinyl fabrics, while ultraviolet radiation will cause them to fade and crack.

First of all, there are certain cleaning products which are best avoided: household cleaners, abrasives, steel wool, industrial cleaners, dry cleaning fluids, petroleum distillates, waxes, silicone oils, undiluted bleach or detergents.

To clean your vinyl fabrics, instead use a soft bristled brush with warm, soapy water. Rinse the vinyl with a sponge or cloth and cool water and dry it off. For stubborn stains you can use an alkaline - or soap - based cleaner. Never use a solvent - or acid - based formula.

The cleaning care your vinyl needs will depend on how soiled it is. For lightly soiled vinyl fabric, a solution of 10% household liquid dish soap with warm water applied with a soft damp cloth will do the trick.

For the most difficult stains use a solution of 10% bleach to 90% water and apply with a soft white cloth. Gently rub the vinyl then rinse with a clean, water-dampened cloth.

As always, any of the above mentioned methods should be applied on an inconspicuous area of the vinyl before moving on to a more visible part. Avoid using paper towels. When cleaning vinyl make sure that you are in a well ventilated area.

Storing Your Vinyl Fabrics

If you are going to store your vinyl fabrics for any period of time, be sure to clean them first to prevent dust, soil and stains from attracting critters. Furthermore, avoid storing your vinyl fabrics in attics, basements and other places that tend to be vulnerable to mold, mildew and insects and other threats. The best storage location is a cool, dry room. If using a closet, make sure there is sufficient air circulation to prevent mold growth. Always store your vinyl fabrics out of direct sunlight.

Always store your vinyl fabrics rolled, not folded, in order to prevent permanent and unsightly creasing.

* The above information is intended to aid our customers in their fabric projects. These suggestions are based on manufacturer's recommendations and customer insights. The above statements are not intended to be understood as unequivocal or applicable to every circumstance. Therefore, J&O Fabrics is not responsible for the results of the implementation of these cleaning methods.