TAKE CARE
We want your brand spanking new picnic gear to bring style and sass to your outdoor adventures for many years to come.
Read on for some easy-peasy tips to ensure your picnic rug and wet things bags last the distance (and then some).
Our Wet Things Bags are made from picnic rug offcuts, so we recommend you apply the same picnic rug care instructions to keep them sparkling clean.
1. BEWARE OF STORING WHEN DAMP
Had your rug sitting on damp grass and it’s still a bit wet when you pack up?
When you get home, don't forget hang it over the fence, washing line or lie flat to dry to ensure any excess moisture evaporates, before folding and returning to its snazzy carry bag.
2. TACKLE STAINS ON THE SPOT
The DuPont Teflon© stain and water resistant top side fabric encourages liquid to bead and makes it harder for stains to stick and easier to remove. While your rug is mighty stain resistant, it's not stain proof.
Any mess left untouched for long periods can be difficult to remove. Don’t let it marinate and instead wipe clean with a damp cloth. For stubborn stains, work a little bit of laundry powder in to the stain and rinse off.
For oil stains, work in some bicarb soda mixed with water to form a paste and leave to sit for 10 minutes before rinsing off.
To remove grass and dirt, blast with the hose and hang up to dry.
3. AVOID THE WASHING MACHINE
We don’t recommend washing in the washing machine because the waterproof PVC backing means that water can’t circulate through the fibres to get maximum benefit of a washing machine. The repeated spinning and high temperatures normally experienced in a washing machine may over time cause the top side of fabric to separate from the bottom.
4. STEP AWAY FROM THE DRYER
High temperatures combined with tumbling are not recommended.
Stick to drying flat in the sun or hanging over the fence or on the washing line.
5. AVOID THE DRY CLEANERS
Your rug isn’t designed to be dry cleaned.
6. KEEP IT OFF THE ROCKS
Your picnic rug is not padded and is not recommended for use on really rocky surfaces.
Keep the waterproof underside safe from rips or tears and don't lay your picnic rug down on sharp gravel.
7. REMEMBER, THIS IS A (MOSTLY) IRON-FREE ZONE
The topside can be ironed to a max of 120 degrees C (“Cool” iron) if you’re that way inclined, but be sure you don’t iron the PVC underside directly. It will melt!
8. DON'T BLEACH
One of the easiest ways to prolong the life of your picnic rug? Skip the bleach.
9. THERE IS SUCH A THING AS TOO MUCH SUN
While your picnic rug is super-durable and is designed for everyday outdoor use, it’s not made to be outside in the elements 24/7.
It may eventually fade with prolonged and out-of-the-ordinary exposure to the sun, so it’s a good idea to keep it out of direct sunlight when not in use.
10. MOULD BE GONE
If your rug has been accidentally folded up and stored when damp and developed super stubborn mould stains, try this:
Combine 4 litres of hot water, 2 tablespoons of bi carb soda and 2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid. Working slowly, scrub the rug and work the mixture into the stains, then rinse off. Combine 1/4 teaspoon of oil of cloves with 500 millilitres of water in a spray bottle to mist over the rug and leave for 20 minutes. Wipe off the excess and leave to dry in the sun.
Still no luck? Bring in the big guns.
We are not affiliated, but have had success with a product that is formulated for treating curtains and caravan awnings. If nothing else has worked for your mould stain, then we recommend Curtain Magic Mould Remover.