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How to Fold an Umbrella

How to fold umbrella fulton umbrellas

How to Fold an Umbrella

Most people own compact umbrellas or some variation of the typical pocket umbrella, but you may not know that to elongate the lifespan and function of your umbrella, there is actually a process you should learn regarding how to fold an umbrella. That’s right; your stylish umbrella has many small elements that make this simple device susceptible to damage if you aren’t careful. 

In this post, we provide a short guide on how to fold an umbrella, so you can make sure that your high-quality Fulton umbrellas have a long life of dependable performance.

Make Sure Your Pocket Umbrella is Completely Dry

Before folding or storing an umbrella, you need to check to ensure that it is entirely free of any type of moisture. While it can be easier to carry an umbrella once it is tucked away in a bag, if you close your umbrella while it is still wet, you increase the chances of mildew or rust. 

Keep in mind that even top-quality fabric is subject to mildew growth in the right conditions and that metal umbrellas have lots of rods that are subject to rust. It is always better to leave your umbrellas drying in a corner for an extra hour than to close them too early and risk creating issues.

Folding an Umbrella

Once you are sure that your umbrella is dry, it is ready to fold. The good news is that it’s not hard to close an umbrella. If you have an automatic umbrella, you can hold the button down and push the stick back into place. Then you want to take the top of the umbrella, give it a gentle shake, and run your palm down the fabric, slowly turning the stick of the umbrella so that the fabric and rods neatly twist under your hand. It should turn easily, and you should be able to feel the shaft easily turn in a spiral to match.

Then simply button the clasp, and your umbrella can be stored in the corner of a dark closet until it is needed again. If possible, after folding your umbrella, you always want to store it in a dark location because sunlight can cause the colours to fade. This is another reason it’s not a good idea to keep your umbrella in the cabin of a car, it’s better to store umbrellas in the trunk.

Periodically Check the Fabric and Ribs

As part of good umbrella open care, from time to time, check your umbrella for problems. This is easy to do and involves a quick search for fabric tears or rips and inspecting the ribs. An umbrella that is not folded properly may start to show signs of bending or breakage in the ribs.

It's an Umbrella, Not a Walking Stick

As a quick aside, a lot of people like to use their umbrella like a cane, but that will actually damage the point and the structure of the umbrella. Resist the urge to use the handle as your walking stick and find yourself a real cane or a friend to lean on instead. Plus, if you hit the button while using it as a walking stick, you might suddenly find yourself sideways in a puddle which is certainly no fun.

Fulton: Your Source for Stylish Compact Umbrellas

Umbrellas come in all shapes and sizes, but not all umbrellas are created equal. When it comes to finding an umbrella that can withstand strong wind and heavy rain, Fulton Umbrellas is the clear choice. Fulton Umbrellas offers a wide range of manual folding umbrellas and automatic umbrellas for both men and women. Each umbrella is designed with durability in mind and built to the highest standards of craftsmanship.  

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Can Umbrellas Block UV Rays?

can umbrellas block uv rays fulton umbrellas

Can Umbrellas Block UV Rays?

When most people think of umbrellas, they think of rain. While it is true that umbrellas provide protection from the rain, umbrellas can also offer protection from the sun’s intense ultraviolet (UV) light. Exposure to excessive UV radiation can cause a great deal of skin damage, causing your skin to age prematurely and increasing your risk for health issues, such as skin cancer. 

In this post, we will explain why umbrellas with UV protection should be considered alongside sunscreen and protective clothing as part of a multi-pronged approach to protecting yourself and your skin health.

Do All Umbrellas Protect You from the Sun?

Although the answer to the question of “can umbrellas block UV rays?” is clearly yes, the truth is that not all umbrellas are designed with sun protection in mind, and even beach umbrellas are not always completely effective at preventing UV exposure. 

Anything that helps cut the glare of the sun’s harmful rays is better than nothing, but just like sun protective clothing provides more protection than a basic cotton shirt, sun umbrellas reduce UV exposure better than a run-of-the-mill umbrella.

A beach umbrella or a parasol is a great example of a typical UV umbrella, but there are fully functioning handheld umbrella options, such as Fulton’s ECO UV umbrellas, that are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric to protect against the sun. With the right UV umbrella in hand, you can enjoy a sunny day and stay safe from the full spectrum of UV light, including UVB rays.

How to Choose the Right Umbrella for UV Protection

Of course, you can’t expect protection from the sun’s rays without the right umbrella. UV umbrellas are made with specific fabrics that block more sunlight. In addition, since they are commonly used at the beach and while on the go, they tend to be designed for portability and are more lightweight than heavy-duty rain umbrellas.

It is important to understand that even the best UV umbrella is not a replacement for sunscreen. But they do play an important role in your efforts to avoid the harmful effects of the sun.  Wearing sunscreen and setting up a UV umbrella at the beach, for instance, is one of the best ways to protect yourself. As a side note, remember to choose a sunscreen with at least SPF of 60 or higher for the most safety.

Enjoy Style and UV Protection With UV Umbrellas From Fulton

Fulton’s ECO UV umbrellas are made from recyclable materials and designed to offer protection against the harmful UV rays. You can enjoy style and sun protection while being environmentally friendly!

The Fulton brand has always been associated with high-quality handheld umbrellas and excellent craftsmanship, but now they’re taking it one step further by creating an eco-friendly products as well.

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Why is it Bad Luck to Open an Umbrella Indoors?

person holding red umbrella

Why is it Bad Luck to Open an Umbrella Indoors?

It’s interesting how some superstitions are so well known that they bother even the most reasonable people. One such example is that opening an umbrella indoors is widely associated with bad luck. How did this superstition come to be?

While the origins of many superstitions are lost to history, there are a few theories about why it’s considered bad luck to open an umbrella indoors. In this post, we will take a look back through history to shed some light on how this widespread superstition was born.

Umbrella Superstition Arose with Ancient Egyptians

Opening umbrellas inside first became a problem during ancient times when Egyptians became worried about angering the sun god. Egyptian royalty of the time was protected from the sun by umbrellas crafted carefully out of peacock feathers and papyrus. Interestingly enough, these umbrella creations were designed to keep nobles from getting too much sun, not to protect them from the rain, as most modern umbrellas are used. 

The goddess of the sky, Nut, was charged with protecting the Earth, and she supposedly was fine with nobles receiving shelter, but the shade was a sacred creation. If someone who was not noble used the umbrella, that person became a real-life embodiment of bad luck.

Don't Anger the Sun God

Another story from Egyptian civilization focuses on the wrath of the sun god instead. According to the extraordinary origins of this story, the Egyptians believed that the sun god, Ra, took insult when shade was created indoors. They believed that if an umbrella was opened inside, it would anger her since she did not like anyone attempting to create shade or a shadow where she did not shine.

For the very superstitious, that origin story might be an issue since today’s umbrellas are only used when the sun is not present – amid storm clouds and downpours.

Britons Suspicious of Opening an Umbrella Indoors

Most likely, opening an umbrella indoors became taboo in modern times back in the 18th century when umbrellas were still new. Early umbrellas were not like they are today. They were very stiff and featured spring triggers that sprung into action far too quickly; a far cry from the easy-to-use open and close mechanism on the Fulton Birdcage umbrella, a rigidly spoked umbrella springing into action in a small room could easily catch people off guard, leading to negative consequences, such as property damage in the home and potential injuries. 

So, it wasn’t so much a superstition that caused people to stop opening umbrellas indoors; it was the threat of real and present harm. Soon the threat turned into a superstition with echoes of the superstition that was first stated by the Egyptians. While there is no science to back up the claims, some people today still pause or jump back from someone who opens an umbrella indoors.

Show Some Care When Opening Umbrellas Indoors

Today, umbrellas have become everyday things that are owned by pretty much everyone. As (almost) everyone realizes these days, opening an umbrella indoors does not bring bad luck. Unless you happen to be highly superstitious, the only thing you need to worry about is accidentally knocking something over when you open an umbrella inside your home. 

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How to Close an Umbrella

pink umbrella in the rain

How to Close an Umbrella

No matter where you live, umbrellas are an essential part of life, whether you are trying to protect yourself from the scorching sun or stay dry on rainy days. While you can buy compact umbrellas almost anywhere, not all umbrellas have the features you need to contend with challenging conditions, such as high winds. 

When you buy Fulton umbrellas online, just as with any other product that you use on a regular basis, they require a bit of know-how to get the most from them and make sure they last for a long time. 

With that in mind, it’s worth taking a moment to learn proper umbrella care, so you can properly open or close your umbrella with ease. By doing so, you’ll increase the lifespan of your umbrella and save yourself time, hassle and money in the long run. Fulton umbrellas, for example, are made with high-quality materials and are built to last. But even the best umbrella won’t stay in good condition if it’s not cared for properly. 

mother and child under umbrella with storm clouds overhead

Proper Umbrella Care

The following tips are designed to help your umbrella stand the test of time. While any umbrella can function in the rain, not all umbrellas can press on for years. If you follow these tips, your umbrella just may.

Quick Umbrella Care Tips

  • Always shake your umbrella before you open it. From time to time, the ribs get lodged in the fabric, so to avoid damage, just shake it a bit so that the ribs properly push out when you extend the handle.
  • Always carry your umbrella facing the wind. This may seem obvious, but many people learn this lesson the hard way. 
  • Resist the urge to use your umbrella like a walking stick because you will likely ruin the handle and, potentially, the automatic closing mechanism.
  • Store your umbrella in a closet or dark area. People tend to leave umbrellas in their car, but the hot heat can cause the colors to fade or the umbrella to warp. Just ensure you know where it is so you aren’t caught in a frantic search when you need it.

Should You Fold Your Umbrella If It Is Wet?

  • The main function of an umbrella is to keep you dry, but that doesn’t make the umbrella immediately impervious to the effects of rain. If you happen to get caught in the rain, fight your instinct to fold your umbrella up and instead leave it open to dry.A folded umbrella will take forever to dry properly, and during that time, the moisture could become a breeding ground for mildew and mold, depending on how much time passes before opening it again. Therefore, it’s best to leave your umbrella open in the corner or hallway of your home before folding it or tucking it into a carry bag.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Folding an Umbrella

Ideally, your umbrella should be sleek and attractive when folded up. If it is bunchy or baggy, then you may want to quickly read through these instructions to see what step you are skipping.

  • First, make sure your umbrella is dry, and then gently pull all of the pleats out so that they are away from the shaft.
  • Then, place your hand around the very tip of the umbrella right under the metal point.
  • Slowly move your hand tightly down your umbrella while you twist it clockwise. This creates a neatly patterned appearance.
  • Once you reach the bottom of the handle, snap the tied band and then put your umbrella away. Next time you need it, you hopefully won’t have to struggle or push to open it again.

Treat Yourself to New Umbrellas

Now that you know how to take care of your umbrellas properly, it is time to treat yourself to a few top-notch options. Fulton umbrellas are well-known for their quality and durability, and they make a great investment for anyone who wants to keep their umbrella in tip-top shape. Fulton’s range of umbrellas includes both traditional and contemporary designs, so you’re sure to find one that suits your taste.