You see it everywhere. It's used in garden pergolas, furniture and many other products. Have you ever wondered what is Textilene? We look at how it's made and the best way to clean it.

2 men under aluminium pergola with textilene side wall partially lowered.
Our Dark Grey pergola has side walls of Textilene which can be adjusted to protect from sun or breeze from any direction. See this one on display at our Kent showroom.

What is Textilene?

Textilene is an extremely durable material, ideal for garden furniture and the adjustable sides of pergolas. Individual strands of the polyester are coated with poly-vinyl chloride and then heat-set. This unique process is what makes Textilene resistant to abrasions, fading and sun damage, and thereby well suited to outdoor use.

The manufacturing process also sees the incorporation of biocides into the Textilene. Biocides reduce the risk of mould or mildew growth, another great feature for outdoor furniture. Specially formulated poly-vinyl chloride is used to block heat transfer, which will keep heat from passing through the materials, perfect for ensuring your furniture does not overheat or fade with time.

Not only is Textilene extremely durable, but it is also very malleable. This means it's suitable for all sorts of products and can be tightly woven, adding strength to the construction of furniture and screens.

You may also see it described as Texteline or Textoline. These are generic terms, used instead of the trademarked Textilene.

LG dark grey aluminium pergola over garden dining set, Texteline sides partially down .Design by Emily's Gardens, built by JR Landscaping
Emily's Gardens chose the Dark Grey pergola with adjustable Textilene side walls. Built by JR Landscaping Ltd.

Why Textilene is a good choice for the garden

Your garden pergola and furniture is likely to spend a long time outside. With their exposure to the elements, you want to be sure that your garden features are resistant to things like rain, moisture, mould, rust, warping, UV rays, and more. When considering what furniture to buy, these factors should always come into consideration. Textilene is a material that can hold out against the elements.

How to Clean Textilene

Textilene is also extremely easy to maintain, another quality you want in your pergola and garden furniture. With minimal, regular cleaning it will stay looking its best.

  1. Choose a warm, still day. If the weather is very windy, you won't be able to leave the pergola sides down to dry, as this will invalidate the warranty.
  2. Start by brushing off excess dirt.
  3. Next give the material a quick hose down.
  4. Mix some water and natural, mild soap.
  5. Using a soft brush, apply this soapy mixture and allow it to soak a little into the fabric.
  6. After a few minutes, rinse thoroughly again with cool, clean water.
  7. Finally, you just need to let the Textilene fabric air-dry.

Find out how our Dark Grey Pergola with Textilene sides will improve your garden.