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An umbrella is an integral accessory of many people, which can serve not only as a protector from rain, snow or hail, but also to prevent direct sunlight from entering the skin. So, in many Asian countries in the summer you can observe how tourists who are not accustomed to the scorching sun, use it precisely to counteract the ultraviolet stream.
In Russia, the umbrella is usually used to protect from heavy rains, and since most of the cities of our country are located in areas where any loose terrigenous rocks are exposed to the surface that are easy to blow and spread on the surface, this accessory can quickly get dirty and get a sleazy look.
Interesting: for example, in St. Petersburg, most of which is located in the Baltic shield area, composed of crystalline rocks and, as a result, poorly amenable to weathering processes, it is quite difficult to stain both an umbrella and other wardrobe items due to the absence of this dirty material .
Most of the fabrics of modern umbrellas forming a protective dome are already represented by classic water-repellent materials: nylon, pongee, polyester (though not ordinary, but impregnated) and satin. All of these fabrics in an ideally considered situation, with proper tension and the correct design of the umbrella frame, do not contribute to the absorption but to the dropping of water droplets to the periphery, therefore they can only be stained if, for example, dropped into a dirty puddle.
However, all domes, with the exception of satin, need relatively regular maintenance, therefore it is recommended to wash the umbrella at least once every six months. This is due to the fact that many fabrics of budget umbrellas nevertheless absorb part of the moisture, which over time violates the strength of the bonds between the smallest elements. If the umbrella is not allowed to dry, stagnant moisture can cause mold and an unpleasant odor.
Tip: you can determine the quality of the umbrella with a simple experiment, which will require two to three glasses of water. They should be poured onto the canopy of the umbrella, after which time for complete drying of the fabric should be noted. The best quality umbrellas dry in 5 minutes, maximum 7.
Umbrella Cleaning Methods
The choice of umbrella cleaning method directly depends on the type of contamination, the color of the accessory, the presence of smell and the quality of the coating. It is especially important to pay attention to the nature of the fabric and its composition, since some chemicals can harm one and not affect others in any way.
Cleaning with soapy water and other light mixtures
If the dirt remaining on the umbrella is weak, that is, it is not spread over the entire area of the dome, it is rubbed with a fingernail and looks like sea salt remaining on the stones after the surf, then you can remove them and at the same time clean the umbrella with a soap solution.
Diluting it is very simple: just add 100-150 milliliters of liquid soap to the basin with water, and then stir the two components to make the liquid uniform. Since the umbrella dome must be completely submerged, the amount of soap and water used must first be calculated. The umbrella should be wiped in a circular motion with a soft cloth (for example, melamine), and then wiped with a towel.
Important: in no case should you leave the umbrella to dry in the maximum open state, as this is fraught with the appearance of stretch marks on the fabric, and a little later - holes.
As an alternative to liquid soap, a regular shower gel, soda and washing powder (the latter should be intended for woolen things) can act. The percentage ratio of the two components of the mixture is established empirically and depends on the size of the umbrella.
Serious contamination cleaning
If it is impossible to remove contaminants from the surface of the umbrella using the means described above, it is recommended to use stronger chemicals, the procedure for working with which is slightly different.
Also, before immersing the accessory in any of the solutions described below, you should soak the umbrella in a basin or pan for several hours. This can partially improve the removal of dirt and plaque from the surface. The following substances will help to clean the umbrella:
- A solution of water and ammonia (per liter of water - 150 ml of alcohol). The surface of the contamination must be wiped with a cotton pad soaked in the product, after which you should additionally walk on it with a rag with soapy water.
- Weak vinegar solution (for one liter of water - two tablespoons of vinegar or citric acid). It is recommended to work with this folk remedy in special gloves, and immediately after cleaning, wipe this or that place dry.
- Citric acid can help get rid of not only stains and stains, but even rust in the place where the dome is attached with an umbrella handle. If it is necessary to remove it only from the metal part, then you can wet the rag in the acid itself, if also from the fabric - always in a solution.
The choice of a particular tool depending on the color of the umbrella
As mentioned above, when choosing a cleaning method, it is necessary to rely on the color of the umbrella: for example, it is not recommended to clean white umbrellas with various solvents or even bleaches, since their use can cause damage to the fabric.
To return the former color to such an umbrella, a weak solution of acetic acid, in which an ordinary foam rubber sponge should be moistened, can help. She should rub each piece of fabric very slowly, so as not to miss a single smudge or turn of small mechanical impurities.
Black umbrellas are a little easier to clean: for example, you can use strong brewed tincture of tea, and rust on such umbrellas is even easier to get rid of - rub the place with a hard brush. In rare cases, ivy and mint leaves are added to the solution, which must be pre-doused with boiling water: this procedure contributes to the release of various organic acids that are beneficial to the cleaning process in their composition.
In no case should you use:
- Strong hydrocarbon mixtures (gasoline, diesel, kerosene and acetone);
- Thermal heating (for example, nylon fabric will immediately tear);
- Strong acids (for example, a kapron-containing pongee will immediately become unusable).
In conclusion, it must be emphasized once again that when using any method of cleaning the surface of an umbrella from contamination, it is important to keep it in a half-open state and use only weak solutions, even if this increases the duration of the procedure. Compliance with these rules will extend the life of the umbrella and maintain the strength of its dome.
Video: how to care for an umbrella
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