As part of your efforts to keep cushions clean, make a commitment to cleaning them regularly with vacuuming or brushing them weekly to prevent dust build-up and any potential buildup of dirt and debris. When staining occurs, wipe up immediately so as to avoid further set in and making removal more challenging later on.
If your cushions are machine-washable, follow the instructions on their tag. For other stains such as blood and animal urine spots, try mixing borax or OxiClean with water for cleaning purposes.
Vacuuming
If your patio furniture cushions have light spots and marks, a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment may help. This will remove loose dirt and debris to help retain their shape and keep them looking clean. For more serious stains such as red wine, blood or bird droppings on fabric cushions, specialized stain removal treatments may be required for removal. Alternatively, to prevent future staining cover them with protective fabric protector or bring them indoor before nightfall or rain starts falling.
Or you could brush away loose dirt and debris using a soft-bristle brush. This will also reduce the amount of grime that collects on outdoor cushions over time, which can contribute to build-ups of dirt. Brush your cushions at least once weekly in order to stop dust from collecting on them.
At least once every week, use an upholstery attachment on your vacuum to get into seams and buttons of outdoor cushions to remove loose dirt, leaving them looking and smelling better than before. If mildew or mold has taken hold on any cushions in your backyard, more intensive measures may be required – to do this, mix up a cleaning solution consisting of 1/4 cup mild detergent, Borax and one gallon of water before testing in an inconspicuous area for colorfastness or any potential issues with colorfastness or any potential other potential problems before applying it everywhere else in.
Use a cleaning solution to scrub all areas of your patio cushion, paying special attention to any areas with heavy stains or mildew growth. Rub vigorously until a rich lather forms before leaving it to soak into the fabric for five minutes before rinsing with a garden hose set at high pressure – one or two feet from it as too much force could damage its material.
If your cushions feature removable covers, follow the directions on their tags to safely wash them in the washing machine. Otherwise, hand washing with mild soap and water may be a better solution.
Spot Cleaning
Outdoor fabrics require periodic deep cleaning in order to remove stains, mildew and dirt that build up over time. Regular vacuuming helps, but doesn’t always get rid of stubborn grime or unpleasant odors from fabric cushions. If your outdoor cushions have heavy stains or are beginning to emit an offensive mildewy odor then try making your own homemade solution using water and natural detergent – or purchase OxiClean as an easy and cost-effective store-bought cleaner option!
First, remove your cushion covers (if possible) and shake them thoroughly to loosen any debris. Next, combine one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with four cups of warm water to create a cleaning solution – dip a soft bristled brush in this solution and scrub away at problem spots – using this lather-generating mixture scrubbing with soft bristled brushes will generate plenty of lather for you to work with scrubbing your cushion gently until all cleaning solution has been washed off with high-pressure garden hose spraying until all cleaning solution has been washed away completely!
To prevent cushions from drying out too quickly, towel dry them using a clean cloth. Once they have fully dried out, place them back onto your patio furniture – don’t forget to apply Scotchgard before doing so to protect from future spills and stains!
Many outdoor fabrics come with stain-resistant finishes to withstand sunlight and rain damage, so it is essential that you read and follow the care instructions on their tags for specific washing recommendations. If the tags don’t provide washing instructions, try mixing one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with one cup of warm water and soak the cushion covers in it before brushing with a soft bristled brush for best results; pay special attention to any areas with light stains or mildew growth. If your cushions become wet, first blot them dry with dry towels before pressing them between two clean ones to absorb as much excess moisture as possible. Leave to air dry in direct sunlight; for a faster way, put them into your dryer for several hours to speed up this process.
Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is an eco-friendly solution that’s safe to use on all fabrics and is particularly effective at eliminating mildew and mold from outdoor cushions. But to use this cleaning method safely and without damage to both fabric and foam inserts, follow some key steps when using this solution.
Begin by inspecting the cushion fabrics for any tags or manufacturer information that could indicate how best to clean it. If your cushions feature removable covers, check their machine washing capability; if so, follow your usual detergent’s washing and rinsing steps until the cover can be machine washed again – then let air dry until ready for reuse in a shaded spot outside until placing back onto furniture.
Alternatively, if the cover fabrics of your cushions do not tolerate washing machines (for instance cotton), make a homemade cleaning solution using one part liquid dishwashing soap to four parts water in a bucket and using a soft-bristled brush to wet the fabric thoroughly and move across each cushion, paying special attention to any stains or dark areas that require attention.
Next, use a garden hose or pressure washer to rinse the fabric thoroughly – be mindful to use lower pressure settings, as more powerful systems could cause irreparable damage to cushions. For larger or particularly stubborn stains, commercial cleaners such as OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover might be more appropriate; always test any such cleaner on a small patch first as overscrubbing could discolor cushions or ruin foam inserts.
If the fabric you need cleaned doesn’t seem to be washing well, try applying an absorbent powder such as cornstarch or baking soda and leaving it to soak for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing again. Also be sure to blot damp surfaces prior to rinsing and drying cushions so as to avoid mildew growth resulting from raindrops soaking through, which could otherwise absorb moisture that leads to mold and mildew growth. Keep pillows indoors until completely dry as this prevents them absorbing any additional moisture which could absorb into fabric that could contributes towards mildew growth resulting from outside moisture entering through sources which might lead to mold growth resulting from exposure from raindrops soaking through to absorbent powders such as cornstarch or baking soda; leave for 10-15 minutes for infuse before scrubbing again scrubbing again; once done blotting damp surface before washing again for final time rinsing and drying for mold spore growth! To help avoid mildew growth avoid leaving cushions outside until completely dried off; leaving cushions outside will protect them from being exposed to raindroplets, raindropping into fabric fibers before they dry off will allow moisture being absorbed by raindropping into fabric fibers absorbing into fabric fibers which would then allow mold spore growth to occur which might otherwise allow this prevent absorbing moisture that causes mildew growth!
Water
If your cushions are only lightly dirty, a quick rinse may be all they require to bring back their appearance. Before proceeding with this solution, ensure there are no restrictions against using water as part of a cleaning solution; otherwise use a garden hose equipped with a spray nozzle to rinse each cushion thoroughly with clean water until all cleaning solution and dirt has been washed off with it.
If your outdoor cushions have more stubborn stains, use an appropriate stain remover. For instance, solution-dyed (woven with pigment-infused fibers), printed or piece-dyed fabric cushions require OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover; just be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions to mix it correctly!
Once your patio furniture cushions have been scrubbed of any stains, combine a solution of 1/4 cup mild detergent in 1 gallon of lukewarm water and soak for at least 15 minutes in this mixture before scrubbing with a sponge or brush over affected areas where there are spots, odors or mildew. Rinse off with water through a hose while being sure to wring out any extra liquid from them before rinsing again using a hose wringer wringering out excess liquid before rinsing it all away through.
After thoroughly rinsing your cushions, use a dry towel to absorb any remaining moisture. Allow them to air dry fully before replacing them on outdoor furniture – this will prevent mildew growth and extend their lifespan!
After your cushions have fully dried, it’s a good idea to re-protect them with fabric protector such as Scotchgard. This product helps fabrics resist stains, spills and mildew all summer long and extends their life while keeping them looking their best all season. Scotchgard can be purchased online or from many stores – check Reviewed for the latest offers, reviews and recommendations!