Decorativa's Do's & Don'ts

One of the skills that interior yacht crew should have, is an ability and sometimes even a passion for maintaining tidiness and cleanliness. Taking care of the yacht's interior is a significant part of the job and knowing how to care for textiles on board is something that every yacht stewardess should understand.

So Let’s Talk About Fabrics in General

Firstly, all natural materials are biodegradable and more durable than synthetic ones, so if you have a say in the purchasing of soft furnishings for a yacht, try to opt for natural fabrics wherever possible. However, they must be 100% natural, once dyed or blended with non-natural fibres, they are not fully biodegradable and the chemicals used for dying risk contaminating the environment. It is worth remembering however, that all fabrics are recyclable, so, please keep this in mind when you need to throw textiles away. Dispose of them in the special textile recycling bins instead of the general garbage bins. These textiles will be reused or transformed into new fabrics or insulation materials used by the construction industry. 

Look out for natural base materials such as cotton, linen or hemp that have been cultivated, harvested and transformed into fabric. Wool, cashmere, silk and leather are also natural materials but are animal derived products. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester or acrylic are manmade products of chemical synthesis, most of which are made from petroleum. There are also artificial fabrics, for example viscose or modal, which are made from a natural base but chemically transformed into fabrics. In the case of viscose and modal the natural base is wood (more precisely a cellulosic fibre).

Fabrics are considered as sustainable, if during the production process sustainable solutions are implemented. For example, the production of conventional cotton requires a huge amount of water and the use of pesticides, fertilisers and chemicals when harvesting. Whereas, the alternatives such as organic cotton and linen are grown from non-GMO seeds, with minimal to no use of pesticides and fertilisers, using more environmentally friendly technics during soil preparation, weed control and harvesting. 

Organic fabrics follow a set of international rules and standards and must be certified. The most common one being the GOTS certificate. Other standards such as OEKO-TEX, Reach or Greenguard certify the fabrics' compliance with user safety standards. These fabrics are checked for chemicals and to see if they comply with the safety norms. When it comes to synthetic fabrics, finding sustainable examples is more difficult, however they do exist. Many producers are beginning to pay more attention to water usage during the manufacturing process and there is an increased awareness around finding a more environmental approach to handling wastewater. The dyeing process is constantly being improved too with many in the fabric industry seeking non-chemical solutions. However, one of the more important achievements of the synthetic fabrics branch is that they can be fully produced from recycled materials such as plastic bottles or old textiles.

 What about Fabric Use On Board

Natural fabrics can only be used indoors as they are not UV or salt resistant. If used outdoors, they will get damaged very quickly due to the long sun exposure and salt in the air. Therefore, it would be a waste to use them for exterior deck areas. However, they are perfect for interior scatter cushions, plaids and blankets, curtains and blinds, bed covers and table linens.

Synthetic fabrics such as acrylic are ideal for extreme outdoor conditions. They are UV, salt, mould and mildew resistant, making them highly durable and very well suited for use on exterior yacht decks. The new generation of acrylic fabrics can be spot cleaned, which means we can save on water and the energy required for a full machine wash cycle. They are perfect for all outdoor deck soft furnishings including cushion covers, seat covers, scatter cushions and lounger covers. 

An Eco-conscious Approach with Decorativa's Do's & Don'ts

Understanding the sustainable efforts that go into manufacturing fabrics is important, however this should be accompanied by the knowledge of how to properly care for them in order to maintain their durability and increase their longevity.

DO:

• Source local suppliers and those that support sustainability

• Use natural, organic or recycled fabrics

• Choose fabrics according to their purpose

(outdoor vs indoor fabrics)

• Keep the care instructions / labels from manufacturers

(it will be helpful when cleaning / washing the fabrics)

• Keep the names and references of the fabrics

(it will become handy if a replacement / repairs are required)

DON’T:

• Throw away if reparable

• Store fabrics that are still wet / damp

(you are risking the mould and mildew stains, which are very difficult to remove.

 A solution of equal parts of warm water and white vinegar can help on small mould stains,

however if it’s already deep in the tissue then it’s too late.

The same rule applies to the cushion inserts)

• Use indoor fabrics for outdoor use

(they are not UV and salt resistant)

Caring for Yacht Fabrics

DO:

• Follow the care instructions on the label

• Vacuum or brush any loose dirt from the fabric surface - if the fabric has a nap (e.g. velvets), follow the direction

 of the nap

(The nap is the texture of the fabric and describes which way the fibres align.

When you run your hand over the fabric and you can feel which way the fibres go smooth and flat,

this is the direction of the nap.

If you run your hand the other way, it will feel rough.)

• Always wash the fabrics before storing them away and store them in dry spaces

• Wash the fabrics at a low temperature (max. 30°C) and use a delicate cycle, if unsure of care 

 requirements

• Iron any delicate fabrics inside out and at a low temperature. Place a clean, white cloth between the iron and 

 the fabric to prevent any burns

• Remove spills immediately to prevent staining

• Use natural stain remover

• Rinse thoroughly with clean water after applying any stain remover and air dry preferably

• Use chlorine bleach only if the fabric producer's instructions allow it

(diluted solution with water is preferable - 1 part bleach : 2 parts water)

• Use professional cleaners for tough stains

DON'T:

• Ever use bleach on coloured, printed, natural and delicate fabrics

• Wash at a high temperature

• Overdose the washing liquid

(too much will create a sort of a coating on the fabric surface

that will trapped the dust and create stains.

It will also damage the washing machines in time)

• Store away if the fabric is not completely dry

• Use duck or goose feather cushion inserts for outdoor areas. They will be ruined very quickly.

• Fold velvets - you risk marking them (store them flat)

• Rub stains - use a clean, damp cloth or sponge and gently dab-spot to remove the stain

• Use steam when ironing silk and delicate wools

• Use high temperatures when tumble-drying - a high temperature can damage the fibres and shrink the material

Think Green - Repair, Reuse, Recycle

• Before replacing, check what your options are for repair of fabrics

(The most common repairs are zippers in cushion covers - these are easy and quick to replace.)

• Keep the labels and any fabrics references from the manufacturer so you can replace severely damaged singular items rather 

then producing a whole new set

• Consider up-cycling as a creative way of repairing only the most damaged areas, e.g. fronts of the cushion covers

• When you need to replace with a completely new set of products, check with the local suppliers to see if they can assist you with recycling 

the old sets