Have you ever heard of waterproofing textiles? Lately it has become very popular the waterproofing of almost all types of surfaces, to ensure their protection against various factors such as weather (rain or moisture), as well as to facilitate their cleaning.
Walls, ceilings, floors, various types of glass (mirrors, windows or doors), acrylic, furniture and even car chassis are just some of the surfaces that are frequently waterproofed nowadays. However, now there is also talk about waterproofing textile materials: fabrics and their by-products.
Are you interested in learning about it? Read on and pay attention, because from Nanoprotection, an innovative company dedicated to the marketing of products for waterproofing surfaces, we will talk about how to waterproof textile materials.
Why waterproof surfaces?
In order to be able to talk about waterproofing textile material, it is first relevant to talk about waterproofing materials in general. This process has many benefits, of which we highlight the following two:
- It is undoubtedly the most important benefit of waterproofing. It helps to prevent surfaces from accumulating moisture, and therefore prevents the proliferation of bad odors, fungi or rust.
- Greater durability. Added to the previous point, taking into account that the surfaces will be protected, they will have a longer life.
However, textiles are not exempt from these risks and benefits. Definitely, a good waterproofing process will help to protect them. Surely you are asking yourself, rust in textiles? Yes, some garments (obviously made with textiles) could have metal accessories that could cause rust.
Waterproofing textile materials
The process for successful waterproofing is really simple. There are many different methods for waterproofing textile materials. However, on this occasion we will focus on only two and present them to you below. Depending on each case you will need:
- Hot water.
- A large plastic container (preferably a bucket).
- Liquid or powder detergent.
- Powdered light.
- A can of waterproofing spray. Or, if not available, liquid spray-on clothing sealant.
Steps to follow using detergent and alum:
First and foremost, the material must be totally clean and free of any kind of lint. Depending on the case, you must wash it or use some tool to remove the lint that may have adhered.
Once the material is clean, you should proceed to put hot water in the plastic container (it does not need to be boiling, it is enough that it has a considerably high temperature, but not too much). Add powder or liquid detergent. Calculate a quantity of 50 grams or 60 millilitres, for each liter of water.
Stir the water with the detergent, until it is totally integrated. Be careful not to form too much foam. When you do not see any more detergent residues, it is a sign that the mixture is ready.
Submerge the textile material in the water until it is completely wet. Now you must let it rest for a few minutes and then take it out to let it dry. During the drying process you must be careful that the different layers of the fabric do not touch each other, because they could stick together.
Once the material has dried the process continues. Again, you must fill the plastic container with hot water. Rinse it beforehand, to avoid leaving traces of soap water in it.
Now, you must add powdered alum to the container with hot water. You should calculate adding 30 grams of alum per liter. Submerge the fabric in the water, make sure that it rests for about two hours and that it always remains in the water.
After two hours, remove the fabric from the water and let it dry. Always be careful that the layers don’t get together, to avoid that they stick together and the process fails. Once dry, your fabric will be totally waterproof.
Steps to follow when using a spray bottle
In this case, the process will be much simpler. Always make sure the fabric is clean, dry and lint free. Otherwise, the product will not adhere to the material and the process will fail.
Once everything is ready, you must place your textile material in a well ventilated space (preferably outdoors) and hang it over something (it can be a clothesline and a hanger).
Now, you must proceed to apply the product on the surface of the fabric. It is advisable to keep a distance of about 20 centimeters, to avoid having direct contact with the skin and eyes. You can use gloves, mask and goggles for greater safety, taking into account the synthetic composition of these products (which may vary depending on the brand).
Let it dry and it will be ready. If you wish, you can repeat the process on the back of the fabric. Let it dry once more and now, your textile material will be completely waterproofed.
As a final clarification, it is worth mentioning that these products usually work better on natural fabrics such as cotton, leather or canvas, but they are also effective on nylon.
With these tips and guidance, you will surely have a clearer idea of why and how to waterproof textile materials (and even other surfaces). If you have any questions or wish to purchase waterproofing products, you can contact us.
We are Nanoprotection and we have a wide range of products related to waterproofing and protection of surfaces, or specific areas of the home: textiles, metals, wood, concrete and more. Trust us, we innovate in surface treatment!