Make sure no moisture remains, otherwise you’ll find yourself facing a regrowth of mildew. Mix the Borax and warm water to create a cleaning solution. If you don’t use your patio furniture every day, storing them in a deck box really is a great solution. And this past week I tackled cleaning our patio cushions for the first time in 3 years! Maintaining Your Cushions Brush dirt off the fabric regularly. You can clean your chair cushion by following ways: 1) Vacuum cleaning. Spot cleaning. Then with the garden hose on high, spray the cushions thoroughly to knock the dirt and cleaning solution off the cushions. Generally, cushions are made of a cushion cover and cushion insert (the inside stuffing of a cushion). Fortunately, many cushions are designed with removable covers that can be slipped off and thrown into the washing machine on gentle cycle. You may want to consider mixing the baking soda in dry carpet cleaner for an even deeper clean. Allow the baking soda to set for 30 minutes or so, and vacuum the cushions again. Jennifer Noonan, Bob Vila, The Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning Patio Furniture, The Best Winter Camping Destinations in America, The Worst Money Mistakes Homeowners Ever Make, The Dos and Don'ts of Air-Drying Everything You Own, Leaving These 10 Things at Your Front Door Could Keep You Safe, The 8 Most Common Reasons DIYers End Up in the ER. Dry the case. The nice thing about this tool is that it not only helps get the grime off, but it kills 99% of bacteria that it comes in contact with, so I know that I’m not only making them LOOK cleaner, but they are also bacteria free when I’m done! Scoop and Dab For this task, you’ll need a bucket, water, dish soap and a spray nozzle attached to your hose. By Jennifer Noonan and Bob Vila. Use a fabric protector on your patio cushions. Thoroughly soak the cushions with the hose, then using the scrubbing brush, generously apply the cleaning solution all over the cushions. If your cushions have mildew on them, add ¼ cup of borax to the solution as well. TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR CUSHIONS LOOKING BRAND NEW By storing your cushions in a deck box or using outdoor furniture covers, you’ll prevent stains from rain and debris from happening to begin with. I’m pretty impressed that I managed to keep them so clean for so long. Use a cloth to scrub the urine out of the couch. ), properly putting the covers on takes more time than just gathering up all the cushions and throwing them into a deck box! Hose off the suds and allow the cushions to dry. Wet or dirty fur contribute funky odors to the couch. My husband uses the leaf blower on ours every weekend after mowing the lawn and sometimes I will bring out our little handheld car vac if the kids leave crumbs on the cushions. Allow it to sit for 10 -15 minutes, then scrub in a variety of directions to loosen any stains. Yes – using a solution of 1 part Borax to 4 parts warm water, soak the cushions and allow the solution to sit for around 10 minutes. However, frequently using this method may degrade the cushion fabric. ! I dry my pillowcases in my dryer, but I would advise you to look at the labels on your … Like what you see? The fact that this is the first time I’ve had to scrub them in 3 years speaks to my method! Squeeze the cushions to release excess water. Sunbrella, a major manufacturer of outdoor fabrics, recommends these steps to remove a stain: 1. You may need to repeat this with a tub of clean water a few times. If it still smells, apply more baking soda and let the cushion rest outdoors for a couple of hours on a non-humid day. All that exposure to moisture doesn’t bode well for these comfy pieces when it comes to mildew potential. Brush the seat to remove dirt and deep clean. Apply baking soda – Sprinkle the couch with baking soda and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes. However (and I’ve timed this! Regularly vacuum, sweep or use a leaf blower to remove leaf debris and other little bits that will settle on your cushions, so that they don’t have a chance to stain. Supplies Needed: Step 1: Spray the Cushions Down To get non-removable pillow covers, mucous surfaces using a way of 1/4 cup clean liquid detergent using 1 gallon of luke warm water. That is how Oxiclean works on outdoor cushions to wipe away dirt, stains and even remove odor from them. We’ve been enjoying so much time out on our patio since installing it last summer. Inside: Clean your dirty patio cushions with this simple DIY cleaning hack! If cleaning instructions aren’t specified, most cushions will do well with a cleaning solution of 1 tsp. Sprinkle baking soda over the cushion, then vacuum the baking soda away. (Thank goodness for zippered slipcovers!) If your cushions are not Sunbrella fabric or don’t seem to be adequately treated for the outdoors, the color will fade over time and they will absorb much more moisture than they should. 3. Different fabrics and materials require different cleaning agents. If your leather seat is perforated, do … Wrap a towel around the cushion to blot up the majority of the water, and then stand the cushion up on end to air-dry completely. Rinse thoroughly to remove all the soapy residue. Using a wet sponge and shampoo, remove smudges from the papasan cushion. Using a garden hose on a high pressure setting, spray down the cushions until the water runs clear. Are your outdoor cushions in need of a good cleaning? Mix a two tablespoons dish detergent and a 1/2 cup of Borax in a bucket, and fill with water. I scooped up some of the soapy water in a cup and went to town, scrubbing the cushions on each side. Isn’t that amazing? Grab a clean sponge or cloth, dip it in your solution, and scrub down the cushion. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. How to Hand Clean Outdoor Cushions + Pillows, Tips For Keeping Your Cushions Looking Brand New. It’s the easiest of all the cleaning options! Lay your cushions out on a deck or patio. Get rid of excess shampoo with another sponge dipped in warm water. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. It has definitely been one of the best investments we’ve made to our home. It freshens cushions that you can’t toss in the washing machine and it helps keep mold and bugs out. Regular cleaning. Work the soapy water into the cushion. Even without pets, couch cushions may not smell so great, simply from day-to-day use. Pile up your outdoor pillows! Generously sponge the sudsy solution onto your cushions, and let them soak for 15 minutes. Share it with your friends! Put cleaning solution into pressure washer before spraying onto cushions (again, not too close). It’s much quicker than trying to fit one of those giant covers over the furniture and has really kept our cushions looking brand new. Then, using a stuff scrubbing brush, scrub the cushions until clean. Begin by laying the cushions out on a deck, driveway or sidewalk. Stand the cushions up on edge to let them dry to just damp. Hand washing cushions that don’t have removable covers is a much better solution if you want to extend the life of your furniture. How to Clean Outdoor Cushions With Vinegar, Store Them Away Each Evening or Cover Them, The Easiest Way to Hang String Lights On Your Deck, The Best Types of Paint for Kitchen Cabinets. Optional: Use pressure washer to clean outdoor cushions. Next, mix 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in a bucket of warm water. If you’re wondering how we went so long without having to wash them, it’s because we take them off our patio furniture every night and store them in a deck box. In your bucket or container filled with warm water, add 1 – 2 tablespoons of dish detergent and (optional) ¼ cup of Borax. Using a vacuum cleaner is the easiest way to clean your chair cushion. Blot the stained area with a microfiber cloth, rinse with water, and then allow to dry. But even if yours don’t have removable covers, you can still get your cushions clean in preparation for a summer of outdoor fun—just follow these simple steps. Can Mildew Stains Be Removed From Fabric? If I’m not around, or simply don’t have time to store them all away, they can get dirty. Once it’s clean, wrap the cushion in towels to help it dry faster. Place cushions … Let the cleaning solution sit for 15 minutes. Make sure you’re looking at the correct tag before you clean. Apply the upholstery cleaner to the surface of the cushion. Home decor, DIY projects and easy recipes, Home » Home Decor » Outdoor Spaces » How to Clean Outdoor Cushions, Outdoor SpacesLast updated: October 7, 2020 | by: Jenna Shaughnessy 1 comment. It happens! If you don’t want to have to pull them out every time you want them, then investing is good quality covers is essential. It’s best to vacuum the cushions, Pirhonen says, since it’ll do a much better job at removing the dirt, especially along seams, which can trap debris inside, where mildew and mold can grow. Unzip cases wherever possible and run them through the wash following the instructions on the tags. So, this writing also covers how to clean office chair cushion. If you are someone that does not want to store patio cushions every night, then I recommend either buying a large cover that fits over your entire piece of furniture (cumbersome to put on – we only do this to protect the furniture over the winter). Identify your cushion fabric. At the very least, tilt the cushions upright so that if it rains, the water runs straight down them. Allow the vinegar to sit on the fabric for about an hour, then wipe it off with a damp sponge. When it comes time to spiff up your porch or patio for spring, cleaning outdoor furniture ranks high on the to-do list—particularly if those cushions have been out in the elements all winter long. It is almost all the same. Using a sponge or brush, apply the solution generously to each cushion with visible mold and mildew. In either case, vacuum the cushions once with an upholstery brush attachment, and then sprinkle them with baking soda. Clean one side of any cushions and allow to dry completely overnight before cleaning the other side. Allow the cleaning solution to sit for 5 to … Some common fabrics used in couches include: Cotton blend Leather Linen Vinyl[1] X Research source Too close and you’ll risk damaging the fabric. Then, using a towel, blot the cushions to absorb as much water as you can. On a hot day, this may take 4 – 6 hours. Follow this step-by-step guide to clean urine out of couch cushions: Use a clean rag to soak up as much of the urine as possible. The first thing you should do is scoop up any remaining solids with a butter knife or a … A specially designed sprays like Scotchguard Water & Sun Shield also minimize fading, allowing you to enjoy your furniture for longer. Stubborn stains may require another round of cleaning solution and scrubbing. Cleaning patio chair cushions is actually very simple and only requires a few supplies. For non-removable cushion covers, sponge surfaces with a solution of ¼ cup clear liquid detergent with 1 gallon of lukewarm water. Allow the pieces to air dry. You may need to switch the towels a few times as well. This was until my 3 year old dripped orange popsicle all over them, and then on the very same day then they got left out in a particularly bad rainstorm, which splattered dirt all over them. How to Clean Patio Cushions First, I pulled out my trusty AutoRight Steam Cleaner for the job. Brush off dust and debris. Properly reading a cleaning tag can save you a lot of grief: Place the solution in a spray bottle and generously saturate both sides of the cushions making sure get into all of the grooves and crevices. Make sure the cushion is completely dry before putting the cover back on and returning the cushion to the couch. Allow the vinegar to sit on the fabric for about an hour, then wipe it off with a damp sponge. Utilize the bubbles into the cloth together with the sponge, and then wash thoroughly with a high heeled hose to remove detergent residue. If you want to clean the cushion cover, you can simply remove the cover and wash it.Sometimes, cushions are made by packing the outside fabric of cover with the inside stuffing and these cushions are called “non-removable cushion covers”.Like, removable cushion covers; these non … Inevitably, no matter how well you take care of your outdoor cushions, they’re going to have to be cleaned at some point in time. Apply a mixture of 4 parts water and 1 part distilled white vinegar on the soiled area. If your cushions have zips, the covers can mostly likely be machine washed. Once you’re finished, you can sit back and relax with friends and family, enjoy a summer smoothie or some barbecue, and wait for the twinkling fireflies to appear. Before you know it, your cushions will look brand new again! Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Outdoor cushions are going to get dirty … Step 2: Mix the Solution I’ve had a lot of Instagram comments in the past about how it’s way too much effort to put cushions into a deck box every night. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Remove stain from the cushion using non-chlorinated beaching so that there is no discoloration. Deep cleaning the cushions of your patio furniture should not be a one-time thing. I do this with my living room couch cushions, too! The Borax helps if you have mildew stains, but otherwise it’s not needed. Keep in mind that one side of the tag may address the cleaning of the sofa cover, while the other will provide information for washing the cushions themselves. Vacuum the papasan cushion at least once in a week to keep it clean. Do you still see stubborn dirty spots after soaking? Cleaning sofa cushions involves spot cleaning and washing the fabric with soapy water, which will require time for drying. A simple vacuuming will not be enough for heavily soiled fabric, especially when stains are present. If your cushions are otherwise clean and you just want to remove a few mildew stains, spray undiluted vinegar onto the moldy spots and rub with a dry nylon scrubbing brush. Honestly, it takes 5 minutes once you get in the habit of doing it, and it has kept our cushions in perfect condition for years! If you cannot remove the cover, check the tag on the couch or pillow to determine if it cannot be … However, if your seat cushions are tightly fit like ours are, I don’t recommend doing this option as there’s a good possibility of the zips eventually breaking. I like to scrub up and down, then in circular motions all around the cushion. How to Wash Outdoor Cushions For items that can go in the washer, once the pretreating is complete, use a heavy-duty detergent and cold or warm water (unless mildew is present). Applying a waterproofing fabric protector will allow water and spills to bead up and simply run off the fabric. Sometimes of course, a thunderstorm will roll through in the afternoon while the cushions are out on the patio furniture. I’m all about the simple cleaning … (Don’t use a pressure washer for the task, as it may damage the fabric.). Do not place the fabric in a hot dryer because that may cause shrinkage. On a less sunny day, approximately 12 hours. If your cushions are otherwise clean and you just want to remove a few mildew stains, spray undiluted vinegar onto the moldy spots and rub with a dry nylon scrubbing brush. If your patio furniture does not have zippered covers, then pressure washing is certainly less time consuming than hand washing and a sure-fire way to get your patio cushions clean. Getting your outdoor space ready for the season can be a lot of work, but it’s well worth the effort. Apply more of the cleaning solution, then gently rub out the spots with a scrub brush. Apply the cleaning product on a soft cloth and pass it over the surface of the seat to remove layers of accumulated grease. Thoroughly hose off the patio cushions. Life can deliver the unexpected, but it doesn’t have to ruin your day…or your furniture.When you choose Sunbrella Performance Fabrics you get complete performance–durable and stain resistant fabrics that are easy to clean. Our back cushions are soft and easy to unzip and remove the inner cushion, so I do machine wash those one. How to Clean Sunbrella ® Fabric. If you do choose to go this route, use a low PSI pressure washer and don’t do it more often than once per year. Ensure that the cushions are completely dry before storing them or you’ll face a rapid growth of mildew. Remove any loose dirt and dust from them using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum. Stand the cushions on their edge in a sunny spot and allow to air dry. RELATED: The Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning Patio Furniture. So, washing the seat cushions is the most effective way to get rid of all the accumulated grime. Brush the couch – Use the stiff brush to brush away crumbs, dust, and other debris. Let your cushion sit for about 5–10 minutes so that the solution can soak into the fabric and deep clean your cushion effectively. Instead of using your garden hose, dampen cushions with pressure washer from safe distance to loosen stains and dirt. How To Clean Patio Cushions Once my Dremel Versa was fully charged, I screwed the brush attachment on and went outside to get started on the cushions. Pull out the blow dryer, if you need to! You may want to get specific information about the cleaning process of the office chair cushion. Apply the product directly on the seat with a spray bottle. Once your cushions are dry, spray them with a fabric protector, such as Scotchgard Water & Sun Shield (available on Amazon), to help them resist dirt and stains from such summery things as spilled fruit punch and dripping popsicles. Once your cushions are dry, spray them with a fabric … mild dish soap {such as Dawn}, 1 tsp Borax, and 1 quart of warm water. Then, turn your attention to the cushions. Steps to Clean a Papasan Cushion. Do not wash them in your yard as you will only get grass stains and mud all over them. Additionally, some fabrics should be handled or cleaned in a particular way for best results, and some might even need to be dried a particular way. Hand washing patio cushions is a simple process that requires only a few household supplies and about an hour of your time. If you can machine wash, then definitely do. Taking this step now will make it much easier to keep those cushions clean the rest of the summer! 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Regrowth of mildew even deeper clean so I do machine wash those one non-humid day a cloth to scrub cushions. Thoroughly soak the cushions fabric in a hot dryer because that may cause shrinkage want get. Your chair cushion moisture doesn ’ t specified, most cushions will do well with a fabric dry!