Colorfast

Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics can help outdoor colors last longer

Sunshine can bring color to your cheeks. But it can also cause the bright colors of your outdoor furniture to pale over the summer from the sun’s constant rays. The answer: Solution-dyed acrylic (SDA) fabrics can help to extend the color and life of your patio shades, cushions and other outdoor items.

“As the pioneer of high-performance solution-dyed acrylic fabrics, Sunbrella has for over 60 years innovated with proprietary formulations and a focus on comfort, design and long-term durability,” says Dave Swers, executive vice president at Glen Raven, a Costco supplier of Sunbrella fabric. “Our fabrics are engineered to retain their look and comfort through years of use, spills and exposure.”

Many fabrics are vat-dyed or printed after the fibers are woven together. However, the process of creating SDA fabric begins earlier, with the fiber itself, explains Ulrich Tombuelt, CEO of Sattler Corp., a Costco supplier of Outdura fabric. He notes, “The high-quality, UV-resistant dye pigments are part of the fiber manufacturing process. They are spun into yarn, which in turn is woven into fabric. The yarn, having the dye infused from the start, has dye pigments that penetrate throughout the entire fiber. This means that the color pigments go all the way into the fiber ... not just on the surface of the fiber. The usage of high-quality dye pigments gives our fabrics a superior colorfastness and make the colors shine for a longer period of time.”

SDA fabrics resist fading and hold up to tough conditions like sunlight, moisture and air pollutants. They are stain-resistant and easy to clean with soap and water or a mild bleach solution. Non-SDA fabrics may not be cleanable with bleach and will fade and break down in direct sunlight. Always check the manufacturer’s warranties and call the company’s support team for help. Here comes the sun!