subject: Photography Backdrop Maintenance Guide [print this page] Photography backdrops have to suffer a lot of wear and tear on a regular basis. Accumulation of dirt, animal fur, footprints, and even other stains are not uncommon. However, dirt and stains can actually make your picture look unprofessional, thereby giving you lots of editing headaches. Routine cleaning is strongly recommended for all types of backdrops. This will help you create better portraits by giving a spotless look to your background. Although many professionals these days prefer the digital photography backgrounds, you would still need a muslin backdrop to take the initial picture and if you dont maintain them, you would regret the results. Each type of backdrop has specific maintenance requirements that are listed below.
Taking care of vinyl backdrops
These backdrops are the most easiest to clean. Lay the backdrop flat and clean it using soap and hot water. If there is some stubborn dirt, use a bristle brush to scrub it out. Do not scrub it forcefully or else you may get severe scratches that will look bad in the pictures.
After washing, clean it with a damp mop and again with a dry mop to absorb excess moisture.
Never bleach your backdrop or else it will become yellowish.
Hang it for drying.
Maintaining the Muslin backdrops
Your muslin backdrop and the background support system must be maintained according to the manufacturers instructions. Always keep the manual with you for reference.
The backdrop stand has to be protected from rusting to retain its durability.
Muslin backdrops can be machine-washed but you must wash them only if its the last alternative.
Spot treat stains by using water and soft detergent.
Wash and rinse in cold water, damp dry it, and hang it to finish drying.
Avoid washing the black backdrops; as black has a tendency to bleed. Try to blow out the dirt and use a damp cloth to clean the area that needs special treatment.
Always test a corner of the backdrop before actually washing it. If it bleeds a lot, dont wash it; rather look for alternatives.
Canvas backdrops
The hand-painted backdrops especially need a lot of precautions while washing.
Never wash canvas backdrops with water, soap, or any other cleaning solution. They might damage the paint to an extent that you will perhaps never be able to use the backdrop again.
To wipe away the dirt, use a soft cloth or a duster.
Photography background kits should be kept clean so as to reduce post-production touch-ups.
