Use a whisk broom or vacuum equipped with an upholstery attachment to sweep up loose dirt and debris, while cleaning solutions designed for outdoor fabric can deep clean and effectively eliminate mildew, mold, or other stains.
An effective cleaning solution of water and dish soap should be sufficient for most outdoor upholstery stains, though for tougher ones you may require additional ingredients like white vinegar or borax.
Remove Dirt and Debris
First step to maintaining clean outdoor cushions is removing dirt and debris that has accumulated. You can do this by brushing or vacuuming fabric (ensuring to dust in an isolated area to avoid contamination of other surfaces), or use a spray bottle with equal parts water and white distilled vinegar solution (Arm and Hammer works best for dark colors), followed by using a scrub brush or sponge to gently scrub before rinsing with clean water afterwards.
As different fabrics require different cleaning solutions, it is essential that you follow your cushion fabric care instructions closely. If they’re machine-washable, simply soaking them in cool water will likely do the trick; otherwise, create your own homemade cleaning solution by following this recipe here and use a soft bristled brush dipped into it to start scrubbing both sides for dirt and grime build-up.
After you’ve scrubbed, the cushions should look much cleaner than they did at the start. If they still contain stains, a pretreater should be applied first before continuing with your scrub session (making sure that you follow manufacturer’s directions regarding mixing the product with water). Two effective products for dark colored cushions include OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover and Arm and Hammer Odor Blasters Versatile Stain & Odor Remover Powder (though note that both contain bleach so should not be used on light fabric).
Lastly, if the stains remain after you’ve scrubbed and you are unable to use your patio furniture due to fear of ruining its cushions, it might be time for replacement cushions and seat pads. There are numerous options for finding suitable replacement cushions online such as Amazon; more unique designs may even be available from local seating specialists like The Seat Pad Company.
Scrub Stains
When your outdoor cushions aren’t cleaned regularly, mildew and other stains can form. A soft brush to remove loose dirt, debris, and dust, followed by a thorough hosing down can usually suffice for keeping cushion covers looking their best. However, for tough stains requiring more elbow grease more effort may be required – mild soap and water or solutions made up of borax vinegar baking soda might do the trick – always test any cleaning agent in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it won’t damage fabric fabric fabric!
Make your own cleaning solution at home using warm water mixed with 1/4 cup of borax and a tablespoon of dish soap in a bucket. Use a scrub brush dipped into this solution to scrub your cushion cover, paying particular attention to any trouble spots. After you’ve scrubbed the entire surface of your cushion cover, hose it off in order to rinse away the cleaning solution–be sure not to use an intense stream as this may stiffen material.
For tough stains, commercial products like OxiClean may be your best bet. Otherwise, homemade mixtures such as vinegar and baking soda or enzyme cleaners designed for fabrics like patio furniture may work equally as effectively. After using any cleaning agent it’s essential to thoroughly rinse afterward in order to eliminate any detergent residue which could weaken cushions over time.
Once the cleaning is done, allow your cushions to air-dry completely in a cool, sunny location – this will prevent mold and mildew growth, while making sure they’re ready to use the next time you want to enjoy your backyard oasis.
To give your pillows extra protection from heavy rains and snowfall, spray your cushions with a waterproofing product specifically formulated for outdoor fabrics. This can help ensure they can endure rainstorms as well as heavy snowfall; when it’s time to store the cushions away for winter they will remain dry until spring comes around again – with just a bit of preseason cleaning you’ll help your cushions weather whatever happens – like bird droppings or wine spilling on them.
Power Wash
Outdoor cushions can become stained easily from sunscreen, bug spray and food debris from barbecues (hello buttery corn and juicy cheeseburgers!). To protect them and the furniture that surrounds it from looking like war zones, regular cleaning of outdoor cushions is vitally important – here’s how you can do just that.
Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning recommends first examining your patio cushions’ care instructions for safe washing practices and color fastness, according to Karina. A label should display specific washing recommendations such as what type of cleaner is appropriate or whether or not your material has colorfast properties.
If your cleaning supplies are unavailable, Toner suggests turning to OxiClean detergent specifically formulated for outdoor fabrics – like one from OxiClean – which features an oxygen-based water activated formula that effectively eliminates stains and odors quickly while lasting through multiple washes to keep cushions looking their best.
Take care to remove the covers of your cushions before beginning cleaning them with cleaning solutions, according to MaidForYou. Doing this will prevent fabric stretching or shrinkage when washed in a washing machine; for machine-washable covers follow their tag’s instructions; otherwise hand washing should suffice to eliminate dirt and mildew build-up.
Make a DIY cleaning solution for your cushions by filling a bucket with water, adding 1/4 cup of Borax and one tablespoon of dish soap, stirring well before dipping a soft-bristled brush into the mixture. Rub your soft bristle brush gently over both sides of each cushion while being mindful of any stains or spots on its fabric surface.
After you’ve scrubbed your outdoor cushions, rinse them thoroughly using a garden hose to get rid of all of the cleaning solution and let your cushions air-dry completely before reassembling furniture. To expedite drying time you can blot each cushion with a dry towel to hasten drying; or leave zippered cushions open so they drain quicker by placing them zipper-side down.
Air Dry
Some outdoor cushions and pillows require special care when cleaning them depending on the fabric type used to craft them, like Sunbrella fabric which retains color well while resisting sunlight fading, yet doesn’t accept bleach or harsh chemicals as cleaning agents. Always referring to care instructions on fabric tags for guidance when it comes to cleaning these pieces; typically you can machine wash and hang dry your cushions to air dry; using a mild power washer setting can also work wonders! Protectant spray may help prolong their lives even further!
Be proactive about your cleaning routine by regularly brushing or vacuuming cushions and pillows to remove dust, dirt and debris that collects on their surfaces. This will maintain hygiene in your furniture while reducing how often you need to clean it.
When deep cleaning cushions, start by performing a quick pass over each surface with a vacuum equipped with a crevice tool – this will remove debris quickly and make scrubbing much simpler.
Before beginning washing, spread a plastic tarp on your patio or grass to create an uncontaminated work area. Hose down your cushions lightly but do not soak them completely before mixing a solution of 1/4 cup liquid dish soap and 1 gallon water with a scrub brush – paying special attention to areas that appear dirty or mildewed – then scrub the fabric thoroughly using another garden hose before it dries completely.
Once your fabric cushions have been cleaned and rinsed, let them air dry if possible in direct sunlight. This will ensure they’re dry and free of odor before you rearrange them on furniture. Alternatively, if the weather conditions don’t permit direct sunrays to dry them quickly enough for air drying, consider using a fan in an sunny room instead to speed up their drying time.
If your cushions have stubborn stains that won’t come clean with traditional cleaning solutions, try vinegar or a mixture of borax and OxiClean instead. For oily or greasy stains, sprinkled baking soda prior to blotting it off using cloth dampened in rubbing alcohol can help. In case of tree sap stains, treat them immediately to prevent further damage and discoloration.
