Acrylic fabrics are high-performance synthetic fabrics made from acrylic fibres. They have advantages including lower specific gravity, mildew-resistant properties.
The elements can take a considerable toll on outdoor fabrics. High temperatures, exposure to ultraviolet light, and moisture can cause many materials to fade or even disintegrate. Upholstered patio furniture, awnings, blinds, and even pool floats are at risk. Fortunately, there’s a fabric designed to endure anything Mother Nature throws its way. If you’ve ever wondered what solution dyed acrylic is, it’s a high-performance material known for its exceptional durability and colourfastness—making it an ideal choice for customers seeking satisfaction and long-lasting outdoor fabrics—and it plays a starring role in our range of world-famous pools.
What is Solution-Dyed Acrylic Fabric?
Acrylic fabrics are durable, high-performance synthetic fabrics made from acrylic fibres. They have some advantages, including lower specific gravity, mildew-resistant properties, and an ability to manage moisture. Even without added colour, they’re a great choice. However, nobody wants to be limited to boring, white fabric. Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics are available in a wide range of vibrant, fade-resistant colours, allowing you to create cohesive and stylish looks for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
When you add colour to acrylic, it comes to life. The method you use to attach the dye has a significant impact on how long it will last. In the process of creating solution-dyed acrylic fabric, the dye is integrated directly into the fibre during the manufacturing process. This dyeing process is a key factor in the fabric's exceptional colourfastness and durability. The dye is added to the acrylic solution before the fibres are spun into yarn, ensuring the colour permeates the entire fibre. The fabric is manufactured with the dye incorporated at the manufacturing stage, making the colour an integral part of the material. The manufacturing process involves steps such as raw material preparation, spinning, weaving, and finishing, all of which contribute to the consistent quality and performance of solution-dyed acrylic fabrics. Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics keep their colour longer because of the specific process that’s used to dye the fibres.
Piece-Dyed vs. Solution-Dyed Fabrics
Acrylic fibres start as a liquid acrylic polymer solution. The chemical fluid is forced through a device called a spinneret, which has many tiny holes. Long acrylic fibres are extruded during this process. Without any added dye, they emerge from the spinneret sporting a generic white colour. When piece-dyed or “stock” fabrics are made, the extruded fibres are dipped into a vat of dye. Only the outer surface of the threads is penetrated by the dye colour; their interior remains white. The method produces a bright tone, allowing manufacturers to create smaller batches of fabric using less dye. Most synthetic fibres used for textiles and carpets are dyed in this manner.
Solution-dyed fibres are coloured in an entirely different way. When they’re being made, the dye is added to the chemical solution before it goes into the spinneret. Fibres that are extruded during this process have dye thoroughly mixed into them. The colour doesn’t just sit on the surface; it goes all the way through the fibre. As a result, solution dyeing produces fabrics with superior durability and colourfastness, making them ideal for projects that require long-lasting performance. It’s easier to understand the difference between solution-dyed fabrics and piece-dyed ones if you compare them to carrots and radishes. If you cut open a radish, you’ll see that the inside is white despite the outer peel’s bright red hue. However, when you cut a carrot, it’s orange to its core. Solution-dyed fabrics are like carrots. The acrylic threads and yarns created with solution-dyed fibres eventually become fabrics that share the same thoroughly permeated colour qualities.
Choosing the right dyeing method is crucial for achieving the best results in your fabric project, ensuring the material meets the specific needs of your application.
How is Solution-Dyed Acrylic Fabric Different from Other Fabrics?
The benefits of solution-dying fibres aren’t immediately apparent. You might not notice any difference between them and their vat-dyed peers unless you look under a microscope. However, in practical use, their value becomes clear. Because the colour saturates each entire fibre and thread, it’s almost impossible to fade or bleach it away. Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics are some of the most colourfast in the textile industry. They’re ideal for healthcare and foodservice applications because you can clean them with harsh, germ-killing substances like diluted chlorine bleach without losing their vibrancy. They’re also ideally suited for use as outdoor fabric in both residential and commercial settings, offering high-performance, fade-resistant, and mildew-resistant qualities. Solution-dyed acrylic is a top choice for outdoor fabric because it is designed to withstand various weather conditions, including rain and sun, making it durable and colourfast even in challenging environments. For custom tailoring or design projects, this fabric is available for purchase by the metre, providing flexibility for your needs. When it comes to nylon vs polyester, both piece-dyed fabrics tend to fade quickly with sun or water exposure, while solution-dyed alternatives maintain their colour and vibrancy season after season. In the past, solution-dyed fabrics were typically not as luminous as yarn-dyed fabrics, but they’ve come a long way. Today’s solution-dyed fabrics are rich and vibrant enough to rival the brightest surface-coloured alternatives easily. You can learn how to remove mould from fabric here.
Care and Maintenance of Solution-Dyed Acrylic
Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics are designed to withstand the rigours of outdoor use, making them a top choice for outdoor furniture and outdoor fabrics in both residential and commercial settings. Their superior durability and resistance to fading mean that, with just a little care, your solution dyed acrylic products will look vibrant and fresh for many years.
One of the biggest advantages of solution-dyed acrylic is its ease of cleaning and maintenance. For everyday cleaning, brush off loose dirt and debris, then rinse the fabric with clean water. For more stubborn stains or spills, a mild soap solution and a soft brush or cloth are typically all that is needed. Rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue, and allow the fabric to air dry. Thanks to the unique way the dye is integrated into the fibers, you can even use diluted bleach solutions for tougher stains without worrying about fading or damaging the color—something that sets solution dyed acrylic apart from many other fabrics.
In commercial settings, where outdoor fabrics are exposed to heavy use and frequent spills, regular maintenance is equally straightforward. Routine cleaning helps prevent the buildup of dirt and mildew, ensuring your acrylic fabrics stay looking their best. For cushions, awnings, and other outdoor applications, it’s a good idea to periodically check for any signs of wear and address them promptly to extend the life of your investment.
Whether you’re outfitting a backyard patio or a bustling outdoor café, solution-dyed acrylic fabrics offer a low-maintenance, high-performance solution that withstands the elements and everyday life. With minimal effort, you can keep your outdoor furniture and accessories looking bright, clean, and comfortable season after season.
Why Acrylic Fabric is the Ideal Choice for Our Outdoor Pool Bean Bags
For regular use in chlorinated water and saltwater, the product must be durable. We chose solution-dyed acrylic fabric for our Portsea pool bean bags because quality is a crucial factor in selecting the right material, and this fabric has everything needed to withstand the natural elements and endure heavy use and abuse. Here are its great benefits when used in a pool setting:
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It’s durable and long-lasting, even when frequently used in direct sunlight.
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It dries quickly after use, which reduces the chances of mildew or mould growth.
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It’s strong yet comfortable.
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It’s attractive and colourful, and it’ll stay that way for many years.
We also offer 'piedra', a specific type of outdoor fabric featuring a grey and white stripe pattern. Piedra is highly durable, water-resistant, and provides UV protection, making it perfect for outdoor furnishings such as blinds, awnings, and cushions.
If you’re looking for the best pool floats or a large dog bed, think big. Our Portsea bean bag loungers will maintain their colour and keep you floating in cloud-like bliss with solution-dyed beauty and our highest standards of quality craftsmanship. Shopping for these products online is convenient, with a wide selection and customer-friendly service.
