Specialty Fabrics Review September 2022 - 71

headquartered in New Haven, Conn.,
says there has been an upswing in
cleaning demand for outdoor cushions,
umbrellas, patio and stationary
awnings, as well as for boat tops
and enclosures. He attributes this to
COVID and to folks hanging out in
their backyards or on the water.
" Sail cleaning increased in this same
time frame also, " says Massey, whose
company offers retail and wholesale
service options to those who use,
sell and service outdoor recreation
fabric end products. " After a wet
warm season, we see an increase in
all outdoor recreational fabrics due to
increased mildew growth. And, oh,
the birds. We are thankful for them. "
Massey says the economy is the
biggest factor affecting his company's
services. When confidence is low,
cleaning/maintenance goes up. When
people are feeling more optimistic,
they may opt for new or replacement
fabrics instead.
Creative Textile Solutions
Ltd., Halifax, N.S., Canada, is a
manufacturer of value-added textile
products like tarps, marine covers,
awnings, canopies and more, and also
provides services and repairs for these
and other items. It is seeing an influx
of repairs in many of the company's
product categories, typically due to
age and use (or misuse and abuse),
says Paul Aumento, president.
" However, we are seeing an
increase in certain products as
economic conditions and constraints
mean that customers are trying to
extend the life span of their items,
rather than replace outright, " Aumento
says. " COVID-19 and now high
inflationary pressures have resulted in
customers trying to gain extra life from
their old products. They're holding off
longer with new replacements in
an attempt to save money. "
EXTENDING LIFE SPANS
Massey encourages people to try to
clean their outdoor fabric items and
to undertake regular maintenance
as directed by manufacturers.
Unfortunately, he adds, many opting
to give this a go find the task harder
than imagined, mainly because they
tend to put it off. By the time they get
around to doing it, a lot more effort
is required. He recommends a " high
degree of caution " when it comes to
the products used in the process.
" If the label doesn't specifically
list your fabric and the conditions,
don't use it, " he says. " We receive calls
almost every day requesting what and
how to clean a wide variety of outdoor
recreational fabrics. By asking specific
questions and even requesting a
photo, we determine the what, the
where and the how to best maintain
the fabric. "
As for tents, Steve Arendt, owner/
president of Teeco Solutions, a Fenton,
Mo., provider of tent washing and
SpecialtyFabricsReview.com 71
Creative Textile used Sunbrella®
acrylic
fabric on this Bayliner boat, providing for
protection and storage of the craft when not
in use. At bottom, the company enveloped
this three-story, soil remediation plant in
a four-sided enclosure using an 18-ounce
PVC vinyl fabric, creating winter-weather
protection and providing insulation for
heating. Photos: Creative Textile Solutions
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Specialty Fabrics Review September 2022

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