An umbrella is an accessory that every modern person has. Its purpose is not only aesthetic, but also practical. With the help of a properly selected umbrella, you can protect yourself from the rain and highlight your own image. It is believed that this accessory appeared in ancient times. But, despite this fact, many modern people do not know how to properly dry an umbrella.
Do I need to open the umbrella to dry?
Most of our compatriots dry their umbrellas open. It is not known exactly who came up with this position for drying this accessory. At first glance, it seems that the umbrella should really be dried in the open position. The fabric straightens and dries very quickly, and drops of water roll off the dome. But in fact, with constant drying in the open position, the accessory wears out faster.
But how to properly dry an umbrella if it cannot be opened? In fact, drying it open is only permissible if you wet the fabric from the inside. After a walk in the rain, the umbrella should be dried half-closed.
General rules for cleaning umbrellas
It is unlikely that anyone will remove the fabric from the frame - it is too difficult, it requires skill and time, so at home they resort to simple and time-tested methods. Before washing, the product is cleaned of dust, inspected and decided whether it is necessary to wash the entire surface or whether it is sufficient to rinse small areas.
Recommendations on how to properly wash an umbrella of any design:
- fill a bathtub or other deep container with warm water, stir until the selected detergent is completely dissolved;
- the cover and loosely folded umbrella are dipped into the solution for 1/2-1 hour (if the cover is not washed, then the dirt and dust remaining on it will again fall on the fabric of the product);
- areas with heavy contamination are pre-washed with a sponge, brush and soap;
- after soaking, inspect the surface and, if necessary, wash the stain again;
- wash off the solution, rinse in the shower, using a watering can with a diffuser;
- dried folded and hanging away from radiators and heating devices - drying in an open state leads to strong tension in the fabric and can cause deformation of the knitting needles;
- After complete drying, the umbrella is folded and put into the cover.
Gels, liquid detergents, and shampoo dissolve well and do not leave streaks, so their use is preferable for washing umbrellas. Of the powdered products, it is better to use powder for woolen products.
White
Any stain or stain on a white or light background is more visible than on a dark one, so white umbrellas have to be washed more often. You should be careful when choosing a method - try it on a small area and see how the fabric reacts.
Description of methods:
- to refresh the color, soak for 20-30 minutes in a solution of laundry soap, powder for white linen without bleaches - sometimes bleaches leave stains on white synthetic fabric;
- areas with heavy contamination will help to clean citric acid diluted in cool water in a ratio of 1:10 (another option: 1 tablespoon of water + ½ teaspoon of lemon juice) - apply the solution with a cotton pad, a cotton napkin, after 3 -Rinse for 5 minutes, wash with soap if necessary;
- rub salt into the greasy stain, leave for 15-20 minutes and wash as usual;
- old and ingrained dirt is removed by a paste of baking soda and water - apply it in a thick layer to the stained area, after 30-40 minutes rinse and wash with soap.
After using any option, the knitting needles must be washed, wiped dry and all connections and joints allowed to dry.
Black
The black coating is the most practical and you rarely have to wash it. Sometimes just rinsing it with warm water is enough to freshen up the color. It is not recommended to use citric acid or vinegar - they leave stains, discoloration may occur, and bleach is generally prohibited.
The easiest way to clean a black umbrella from dirt, remove stains, and refresh the color is to soak it for 30-40 minutes in warm soapy water. To prepare laundry soap, rub it on a grater and stir until a foamy head forms. To refresh the color, add a strong infusion of coffee or black tea to warm rinsing water and keep the dome in it for some time.
Color
To wash colored coatings, use the same methods as for black ones: soak in warm water with the addition of gel, powder for colored linen or curtains, grated laundry soap. The effect of the product is first checked on a small area and only then soaked.
Stains on colored materials can be removed using Vanish or Astonish stain remover. Gasoline and kerosene disrupt the structure of the fabric, deform it, and leave a strong odor, so they cannot be used.
Lace
A lace umbrella is used to create a certain look, protect from the sun, and during photo shoots. Lace material is capricious, so it is recommended to use products for delicate washing, gels without strong ingredients.
Dry the product in a suspended state, half-extended, so that the threads do not stretch too much. The dried dome is opened for 10 minutes - the resulting folds will straighten out.
Transparent
The transparent dome is made from polyvinyl chloride - it is practical and easy to use. Cleaning is easy - just wipe with a soft damp cloth or wash with soap. To avoid stains, rinse well, let the water drain, then wipe with a dry cloth.
An aqueous solution of ammonia (10 ml/100 ml of water) will help to update the appearance of the product. After treatment, rinsing is mandatory.
Have you ever had to wash an umbrella at home?
I haven’t washed it and won’t try it - I’ll take it to the dry cleaner or buy a new one
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There was an attempt, but unsuccessful
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I wash, but rarely
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Voted: 1
Ideal position for drying an umbrella
If you want to dry your umbrella with minimal risk of deformation, you need to hang it on a hanger or hook in the half-open position. If you have an automatic accessory, fold it as if you were going to close it, but leave the Velcro or button in the open position. If you have a special stand, you can put the umbrella in it.
Does the fabric really dry well in this position and the knitting needles do not rust? It is the half-opened position that is considered optimal for drying. Sometimes the care instructions included with expensive accessories tell you how to properly dry your umbrella after rain. Manufacturers usually recommend this method. The secret is simple - special waterproof fabrics are used to make accessories that protect from rain. Accordingly, the dome of the product should only dry from splashes of water on the surface.
How to dry an umbrella
Care will extend the life of your favorite accessory. After exposure to rain or washing, the umbrella needs to be dried.
Why drying is important
Leaving the product folded, and even fastened, is strictly prohibited. It will quickly lose its attractive appearance, and will acquire an unpleasant “aroma” of mustiness, and may even become moldy. Leaving a wet umbrella lying anywhere until it dries completely is also pointless. The drying process is delayed, and the fabric may begin to leak water.
But you can’t keep the umbrella open for long. The material stretches and sags. Deformation is especially noticeable in products with synthetic dome material. And for the spokes, this position is fraught with additional load and rapid failure.
How to and how not to dry an umbrella after rain and washing
It is optimal to dry the accessory half-opened. Once indoors after the rain, the umbrella is closed and opened several times to remove remaining moisture and leaves and twigs stuck to the dome during the rain.
The umbrella is not opened completely, but it is not fastened either, rolled up tightly. Contrary to common practice, it is highly not recommended to dry the umbrella completely open until it is completely dry, as this leads to its rapid failure. In this “half-hearted” state, the product is hung away from the radiator or heater, from any heating device, including a stove or fireplace. Then the fabric will not become rigid and will not deform.
Direct sunlight during drying is also avoided. Under their influence, the fabric burns out, complete discoloration and staining are possible. It is ideal to leave the umbrella to dry in a room with good ventilation.
It is important to dry completely. The process will take time
But there won't be any troubles. The completely dried accessory is placed in a dry case and stored as such.
Store the dried umbrella in a case
An umbrella with a metal frame is opened briefly to allow the fabric to dry. The product is then hung for final drying. Then there will be no stretching of the material, and rust will not appear on the metal.
You can place accessories in special stands so that moisture can drain freely. This option is suitable for drying a cane umbrella, which, unlike an automatic umbrella, is preferable to dry semi-folded in an umbrella stand.
Rules for caring for a personal rain protector
Try to remember once and for all how to properly dry an automatic umbrella after rain. It is necessary to place the accessory for drying away from direct sunlight. Otherwise, the fabric may fade. It is not recommended to dry the umbrella near a central heating radiator, heater or other heat source. Heating wet fabric can cause it to warp.
How to properly dry an umbrella if it gets very wet? It is enough to shake the accessory several times in a half-closed state and hang it by the loop on the handle. If the frame of the product is metal, after the fabric has completely dried, open the umbrella and leave it in this position for 20-30 minutes. You can additionally protect the spokes from corrosion by periodically lubricating them. After drying, fold the accessory, straightening out all the folds of the fabric, and put it in the case.
Do not hang a wet umbrella in a closet or dressing room. There it will not only get wet and dirty other things, but will not dry well. As a result, mold may appear on the fabric, stains may appear, or the product may acquire an unpleasant musty smell.
Other drying errors
There is another serious mistake: after rain, leaving the umbrella in its case, tied with a belt or in a bag, instead of drying it. It would seem that it’s no big deal, because the production uses a special fabric that is not afraid of moisture and does not rot.
On the other hand, this is precisely the problem. Without allowing moisture and steam to pass through, the umbrella will dry many times longer than any crumpled clothing. Moisture will remain on its surface, and over time will become a source of an unpleasant musty odor. If measures are not taken after this, the fabric will become covered with mold stains. It is quite difficult to clean an umbrella from it - in some cases you have to get rid of it.
Interesting fact Special baskets for umbrellas are good if they contain only two or three umbrellas. If the stand is cramped, then the accessories will dry slowly and mold may even appear.
In addition, quite often moisture gets from the fabric inside to the metal parts. Large, serious companies use special stainless alloys in the manufacture of umbrellas. But many budget products from China are made from cheaper and less reliable materials.
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Prolonged exposure to high humidity conditions leads to rust. Unattractive red stains spread across the fabric, and the knitting needles themselves simply rot. The author of Miss Clean magazine had a chance to check this on her umbrella - fortunately, the spots on the black dome were not too noticeable.
If it is also an automatic umbrella, then the mechanism often rusts and ceases to perform its function. When you press the button, it does not open, and when you try to open it manually, it simply breaks. Alas, deterioration in the functioning of “joints” is recorded even in expensive branded umbrellas.
The third common mistake is drying the umbrella in the sun. Of course, in direct sunlight the fabric will heat up and dry faster. However, this speed comes at a price. First, white salt spots appear on the umbrella. Secondly, the fabric fades - this is especially true for bright materials. If stains can be easily removed by simply wiping with a damp cloth, then nothing can be done about the fading of paints. At best, in a couple of years with such regular drying, it will age and lose its original attractiveness.
Etiquette for drying an umbrella in public places
Rain can catch each of us anywhere. Suppose you are “lucky enough” to come to visit, work or another public place with a wet umbrella. Do not forget to shake off raindrops from the accessory when entering the room. How to properly dry an umbrella after rain while outside the house? According to the rules of etiquette, the most important thing is not to spoil other people's things. If you come to visit, ask the owners of the house for help.
At work, it is appropriate to hang the umbrella on a clothes hanger or some kind of hook, making sure that it will not disturb anyone. If you go to a shopping center or cafe after rain, shake off excess drops from your umbrella. It will dry out in your hands very quickly when you go shopping. In a cafe or restaurant, you can ask the administrator if the establishment has an umbrella stand, or simply hang the accessory on the back of your own chair.
Tips for drying an umbrella
If you plan to stay in the shelter for a long time, hang the cane ajar on a free hanger or the handle of the front door. This position is good because it allows the dense material to dry on all sides without changing its size.
The dome, made of PVC film (polyvinyl chloride), can be simply wiped dry with a quickly absorbent cloth.
Here are some more recommendations on how to dry an umbrella to maintain the functionality and appearance of the item.
- The accessory should be left in a well-ventilated area;
- It is forbidden to open the canvas during drying, otherwise the material will stretch and hang like a shapeless rag;
- You can fold the umbrella only when it is completely dry; if you put it away wet, you cannot avoid the appearance of rust on the metal spokes and a musty smell;
- The accessory should be stored in a dry case and folded, turning the dome clockwise.
Such careful treatment of your favorite umbrella will prolong its difficult life. It will save the owner from rainy weather more than once.
Many people mistakenly believe that when they get indoors after rain, the first thing they should do is open the umbrella and thus let it dry. This picture can be seen in many offices and apartments.
But, do you know that this method is fundamentally wrong? If the umbrella often dries in this condition, over time its canopy will stretch and begin to sag. This problem is especially relevant for products with silk fabric.
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Our desire to place the umbrella closer to the heating devices is understandable and logical. It would seem that this would allow the material to dry faster! But it's not right. Such a “warm” neighborhood can lead to deformation of the dome panel, and you shouldn’t forget about fire safety either.
It is not recommended to dry the umbrella near heating devices or in direct sunlight.
And also you should not dry the umbrella in open sunlight. This is fraught with fading of the fabric, in addition, it leads to the appearance of stains and discoloration of the fabric.
Under no circumstances should a wet umbrella be left folded. Because of this, the fabric may begin to rot, and the product will be hopelessly damaged.
How to properly dry an umbrella after rain: photos and recommendations from around the world
We have already found out that in Russia it is customary to dry umbrellas in an open state. And this is not entirely correct. How do residents of other countries dry their automatic umbrellas and canes?
You may be surprised, but many Europeans prefer to simply throw a wet umbrella on the floor when they get home and put it back in its place a few hours later. In this case, the accessory is often closed or semi-closed. People who do this do not know how to properly dry an umbrella. It is not recommended to lay this accessory horizontally when wet. Lying down may cause the fabric to wrinkle and stretch.
Many Americans believe that opening an umbrella in the house is a sign of tears. Most families in the United States dry their umbrellas in special holders, and some even purchase separate hangers.
How to dry an umbrella correctly
The usual method of drying umbrellas when opened is contrary to the rules of its operation. In this case, the spokes experience unnecessary stress and become deformed, and the dome fabric is greatly stretched. In order for the accessory to last as long as possible, you need to dry it in the following order.
Lightly shake off any drops from the fabric and hang the half-opened umbrella by the loop on the handle. There is no need to open the machine; just unfasten the clasp on it. If there is a special stand in the room, a cane is placed in it.
Before drying a dirty umbrella, stains of dirt should be removed from it, for which the canopy should be wiped with a soapy solution, for particularly dirty areas using a brush, and then rinsed with water.
Place a container under the umbrella to catch the water.
Hang the cover to dry.
When the fabric is completely dry, you need to straighten it and wrap it around the leg, after shaking the umbrella.
Now you can put on the cover and put the umbrella away until the next rain.
When choosing a place for drying, you need to avoid sunlight. Heating devices, radiators, and stoves should not be located nearby, the heat from which dries out and makes the fabric stiff.
Umbrella care
In order for the accessory to serve for a long time, not break and maintain a presentable appearance, it is important not only to store and dry it correctly, but also to regularly wash and clean the umbrella. To remove dust, use soft brushes and a solution of water and detergent for synthetic, wool or silk items.
To remove dirt and stains, traces of rust, colored materials are cleaned with a solution of ammonia in a ratio of alcohol and water of 1 to 10. For dark and black materials, use table or apple cider vinegar. To do this, dissolve two tablespoons of vinegar in a liter of water and wipe the surface with the solution. This method will remove stains and dirt, refresh and preserve color.
To remove rust stains, use lemon juice; for greasy stains and marks, use dishwashing detergent. And to return the color to the black umbrella, clean the surface with a sponge and brewed strong black tea. After the manipulations, rinse the fabric thoroughly with warm, clean water and leave the product to dry completely.
During heavy use during the rainy season, the products are cleaned regularly to keep them neat and attractive. To do this, wash the umbrella in warm soapy water with the addition of washing powder or rinse aid. Open the dome and wipe the surface with a soft sponge soaked in this composition.
How long does it take for an umbrella to dry?
Pongee and satin dry in five to ten minutes, since drops easily roll off the dome, and the material remains almost dry. These are reliable and durable fabrics that do not tear or stretch, do not shrink or fade, and look aesthetically pleasing, solid and presentable.
Traditional polyester is a cheaper option. It is also characterized by durability and quick drying, but is less durable in the places where the knitting needles are attached and looks less attractive. Read how to care for polyester, pongee and other synthetic fabrics here.
Nylon takes longer to dry than other materials. Experts do not advise choosing this dome material, as it quickly tears and stretches, fades and even fades under heavy rain. It can stain a person's clothes when it rains or objects they lie next to.
Drying umbrellas in a half-open state takes longer than in a fully open state. However, this method will preserve the fabric in its original form and protect the color and brightness of the product. The umbrella will last a long time.
