Cleaning speaker fabric

[pentoad]

What is the best way of cleaning speaker fabric?
The type I have is a plastic type which I think maybe "tygan" and is from an old Wharfedale Airdale cabinet.

[vinrads]

I suggest warm soapy water not hot this will make it shrink, when fitted we use an hair dryer this will tighten it up, again be careful too hot and too near as this could melt it.

Mick.

[pentoad]

Originally Posted by vinrads

I suggest warm soapy water not hot this will make it shrink, when fitted we use an hair dryer this will tighten it up, again be careful to hot and to near as this could melt it . Mick.

I have given it a cold soak in washing machine powder solution and washing soda for 24 hrs
Just rinsed and waiting for it to dry to see if it worked

[McMurdo]

I was going to suggest bio washing powder as it has the ability to get things clean without scrubbing, especially greasy deposits from kitchen radios and 'finger' dirt as engrained in knurled knobs. Done it many times. Just remember to rinse thoroughly, ideally in a little washing up liquid to avoid any bits of trapped powder going white when dry.

[vidjoman]

I understand that bio washing powders do not work under 55 deg. and are destroyed above about 65 deg. Used at lower temperature has only the effects of the basic washing powder.
It’s a problem with modern technology on washing machines that you can use at low temperatures as it’s a waste to buy bio products unless you use about 60 deg for your wash.

It maybe why the programs are so long as the bio powders need about an hour at the correct temperature before they work.

[pentoad]

The washing powder and soda did not clean the grimy speaker cloth properly.
I need to try something else, I might try sodium percarbonate in a small area to see if that works.

[stevehertz]

If it's plastic, then there should be no problem with gently using a scrubbing brush to aid the cleansing process.

[pentoad]

Originally Posted by stevehertz

If it's plastic, then there should be no problem with gently using a scrubbing brush to aid the cleansing process.

Seems to be some form plastic but I'm unsure if the is an element of cotton in there.
It is a fabric used by wharfedale maybe in the 60's might be tygan
BTW sodium percarbonate did not work

[bigfathairyvika]

I've successfully clean speaker grills and many other things with bio washing liquid at 30 to 50 C. Including engine parts.
Bio works down to 20C and a lot better than non bio, but hotter the better for cleaning, just not hotter than you can bear with hands unless using a pair of tongs.
If first attempt doesn't work , just try again but put in more elbow grease.
My favourite cleaning solution is hot water, bit of washing up liquid, bit of bio washing liquid and some citric acid.
Mix it all up and it shifts oil, grease, petrol, diesel, dried up petrol gum, black powder and nitro left overs and most other gunge.

If scrubbing, adding sugar to liquid soap makes it far more effective.

If unsure , test on a bit of unseen material first.

[pentoad]

I'm worried that hot water will either shrink it or cause it to deform and that after using heat, it might not respond to a heat gun or hair dryer to make it taught again.

[stevehertz]

With respect I think you're overthinking this. If you feel that it still needs cleaning after having tried 'low impact' methods and they've not worked to the level you want, you now have to be a tad more aggressive; one step at a time, increase the anti. If all fails, replacement speaker fabric for hifi speakers is readily available.

[bigfathairyvika]

Also, just soaking then rinsing will not remove much dirt.
It needs to be scrubbed with a brush.
The plastic brushes that are sold cheap at supermarkets for scrubbing floors work great.

The grille material on the Wharfdales are very resilient to scrubbing.
Add soap to brush and scrub with a circular motion so you get lots of suds.