How to clean tents, sails etc...

[Wolf Knight]

Sorry if this has been discussed before, I cannot seem to find any topic with the search option, but is there an effective way that has work for any of you cleaning, or better put washing up,  such material as the tent from 3837 - Royal Tent or the backdrop from 3652 - Tournament Knights With Viewing Stand and various sails from ships?

Thank you!

[socrates]

The last recent discussion we had about this can be found here:
http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=4487.0

But it was more about replacing than cleaning... The original fabrics are pretty robust. You can wash them by hand in water, just be careful to not fold them to hard, never tried ironing a tent fabric...

best,
socrates

[Wolf Knight]

The last recent discussion we had about this can be found here:
http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=4487.0

But it was more about replacing than cleaning... The original fabrics are pretty robust. You can wash them by hand in water, just be careful to not fold them to hard, never tried ironing a tent fabric...

best,
socrates

Yes this thread was mostly for removing imprints on such a fabric material.

I've washed with dish washing liquid some 3666 banners, a few months ago, that were really dirty, (moisture, moss, you name it) but appart from a surface dirt, the spots were not removed...
Maybe in the washing maschine...I would not dare Iron them, although Elaine, as I recall got wonderfull results out of a fabrick she got for sails...

[skypurr]

...I would not dare Iron them, although Elaine, as I recall got wonderfull results out of a fabrick she got for sails...

The fabric I used was specifically for ironing - it had to be ironed to bond it together. 
Even so I put a cloth over it first to protect both the material and the iron!
I was going to offer to test ironing (with a damp cloth over it) a spare sail or similar, but I have but just remembered that all my spare playmobil parts somehow got transfered to the village hall and are still there! 

Elaine

[playmo1989]

carefull!!!
 
i've tryed to iron a carpet which is of the same fabrick with the royal tent and it melted !!!

[Andy R]

The sail that I was referring to in that thread has been washed and although it had no effect on the imprint (nor the paint I tried to use to cover it up), it came out of the wash perfectly fine. I did not however try to run it through the dryer (because it still had the paint on it). I imagine it’d be ok…

carefull!!!
 
i've tryed to iron a carpet which is of the same fabrick with the royal tent and it melted !!!

To iron, you might want to soak it in water, iron on low heat, with a towel or washcloth over the rug/sail/tent/etc to protect it from the direct heat.

[Wolf Knight]

The fabric I used was specifically for ironing - it had to be ironed to bond it together. 
Even so I put a cloth over it first to protect both the material and the iron!
I was going to offer to test ironing (with a damp cloth over it) a spare sail or similar, but I have but just remembered that all my spare playmobil parts somehow got transfered to the village hall and are still there! 

Elaine

Thats ok Elaine!! Thanks for remind me of the cloth over the fabrick for protection!I just placed the royal tent's fabric in warm water with cloth bleach...I'll leave it for a bit and see what will happen... Should have taken a before picture....

[Wolf Knight]

The sail that I was referring to in that thread has been washed and although it had no effect on the imprint (nor the paint I tried to use to cover it up), it came out of the wash perfectly fine. I did not however try to run it through the dryer (because it still had the paint on it). I imagine it’d be ok…To iron, you might want to soak it in water, iron on low heat, with a towel or washcloth over the rug/sail/tent/etc to protect it from the direct heat.

So you did put it in the washing machine Andy? Thanks for the tip on ironing but I doubt I'll do it...

carefull!!!
 
i've tryed to iron a carpet which is of the same fabrick with the royal tent and it melted !!!

...so do not worry Alex  !

[Andy R]

So you did put it in the washing machine Andy? Thanks for the tip on ironing but I doubt I'll do it...

Yes I did. I did not however try to dry it.

[UnaSigne]

I've had a lot of luck cleaning sails by letting them soak in water and a mild dish detergent.  I think the longest I've let them soak is six weeks (changing the water out every few days, or so).  I have ironed on the lowest setting using damp towels, but only once the sail is as clean as I think it will get since ironing will 'set' any stains or remaining color.

I have also let them soak in solutions of water and hydrogen peroxide (3% only, since that is all I can find in the States), if I have discolored plastic pieces that need to also be soaked.  I have done this on the sails for the http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=3053 or the http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=3940  or the http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=5778.  I haven't noticed any discoloring of the printing.

I haven't tried washing the linen fabric sails from the http://playmodb.org/setpics/3550.jpg or the http://playmodb.org/setpics/3793.jpg.  I have heard horror stories about people who have washed them and had them shrink.  Perhaps if they were only soaked in cold water...
I'm too scared to try!