Summertime and the livin’ is easy,” goes the song by lyricist DuBose Heyward from Porgy and Bess.

Today’s indoor/outdoor fabrics make this so very true. We have all known about Sunbrella for years but there are also many other indoor/outdoor fabrics available in many different looks. The wonderful thing about these fabrics is the ease of care to keep clean from almost any stain, the amount of wear they will take, and that they are truly fade resistant.

Below are listed the types of fibers used in indoor/outdoor fabrics and where they should be applied:

Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics 

These fabrics are the most colorfast with up to 2,000 hours of holding light. This means these fabrics will hold their colors longer and won’t fade as quickly as others. They are really good for outdoor applications such as cushions, awnings and umbrellas, which are permanently exposed to weather and the sun. These fabrics are made with very high thread counts so they don’t rip easily.

One of the unique things about the solution-dyed acrylics is that they also do very well mimicking indoor fabrics. They are very useable because of their cleanability and they make great indoor fabrics because the content of the fabric is the least liquid absorbent. Used for family rooms, kitchens, children’s playrooms or bedrooms, they are very practical. For tack rooms in barns they are your best option.

Polyolefins and high UV polyesters 

These fabrics have attractive colors, more designs, greater durability, and they are cleanable with bleach. As designers, we love the fancier options available with these fabrics. We use them on pillows, cushions, furniture, and in rental properties because they are attractive. They have 1,500 hours of light fastness.

The fabric is solution-dyed by adding a masterbatch colorant to the polymer melt in spinning or extrusion. This results in fibers and filaments that are fully impregnated with pigment coming out of the spinnerets in a one step process and then it goes through a process of turning it into a woven fabric. It can be textured, solid, striped, plaid or jacquard — just like indoor fabrics.

Spun polyesters

These fabrics are priced economically and are screen printed with colorful prints. They are perfect for pillows, playrooms, inexpensive prints with a fun design or temporary usage. They are made with inexpensive polyester-based cloth that is milled white, and then it goes through the process of screen printing.

The UV ratings that are given by manufacturers for these fabrics are usually given in hours of protected sun exposure. Most printed/woven polyester and printed acrylic fabrics are rated for approximately 500-750 light hours. Woven acrylics are rated for approximately 1,500 light hours or more.

Although the types differ in composition there are some things to remember that are common to all of them.

• All these fabrics should clean with soap and water; check before using bleach or dry cleaning.

• Do not tumble dry. This should not be necessary since they will dry quickly.

• Although the fabric is water resistant it is not waterproof.

• Even though the fabrics do not promote mildew growth, mildew can grow on soils or spills that are not promptly removed.

For our picture this month I have chosen a boat full of Sunbrella pillows from Thibaut. Thibaut has collections of wallpaper, which it is well known for, available in Landrum, S.C. at Williamson’s Paint. The fabric collection and furniture are available here in Tryon, through Drummond House.

Thibaut chose Sunbrella for the cloth to print its indoor/outdoor fabrics on because it is more fade resistant than any other fabric on the market and it is supported with a five-year warranty. As it is solution dyed, the color is evenly dispersed throughout the yarn. (I like their analogy: think of a carrot versus a radish.)

Thibaut Sunbrella is furniture friendly, comes already backed, and ready to be used for upholstery. All Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned with soap and water, solvent-based cleaners, even bleach. I spilled grape juice all over a sample the other day and it was completely dry before I got it home. Washed in soap and water, it looks like new.

The properties of light fastness, softness and cleanability make these fabrics an excellent option for all indoor applications, including drapery, upholstery and even bedding.

Enjoy a happy, carefree summer.  I hope this knowledge helps you with your home furnishings choices.

Gillian Drummond has her design studio, Drummond House in Tryon, N.C. Visit her website at www.drummondhouseco.com and reach her at info@drummondhouseco.com or call 828-859-9895.