How to clean patio cushions that don’t come off
It’s time to spruce up your outdoor seats before the season really gets going. While most cushions cannot be washed in the machine, you may get the job done without ever using one.
It’s time to spruce up your outdoor seats before the season really gets going. While most cushions cannot be thrown into the washing machine, you can do it without having to remove them from your porch or patio. Cleaning outdoor furniture is high on the to-do list when it comes to sprucing up your porch or patio for spring, especially if those cushions have been exposed to the elements all winter.
Cleaning Patio Furniture: Dos and Don’ts
Even if your cushions don’t have removable covers, you may clean them in advance of a summer of outdoor pleasure by following these simple procedures.
STEP 1: Remove the cases from the patio cushions and, if feasible, machine-wash them.
Fill your outdoor pillows to the brim. Unzip cases as much as possible and wash them according to the instructions on the tags.
STEP 2: Vacuum the cushions on the patio.
After that, pay attention to the cushions. Using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum, remove any loose debris and dust from them.
STEP 3: Hand-wash and soak the cushions in a water-and-dish-soap combination.
In a pail of warm water, combine 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. Add a quarter cup of borax to the solution if your pillows have mildew. Sponge the sudsy solution liberally onto your cushions and soak for 15 minutes.
After soaking, do you still see obstinate dirty spots? More cleaning solution should be applied then the stains should be carefully scrubbed out using a scrub brush.
STEP 4: Use a garden hose to rinse.
Using a hose, thoroughly clean the patio cushions. (Do not use a power washer to clean the fabric since it may harm it.)
STEP 5: Dry the patio cushions as much as possible with a towel before laying them out to air dry. To blot up the remainder of the water, wrap a towel around the cushion and stand it up on end to air-dry entirely. Make sure there’s no moisture left, otherwise mildew will start to grow again. If you need to, get the blow dryer out.
STEP 6: Protect your patio cushions with a fabric protector.
Once your cushions are dry, spray them with a fabric protector like Scotchgard Water & Sun Shield to help them withstand dirt and stains from things like fruit punch spills and dripping popsicles. Taking this step now will make keeping those cushions clean for the remainder of the summer much easier. Cleaning outdoor furniture is high on the to-do list when it comes to sprucing up your porch or patio for spring, especially if those cushions have been exposed to the elements all winter.
LIQUID DISHWASHING DETERGENT IN A BUCKET OR OTHER CONTAINER
A bath in warm water
Borax is a substance that can be used to
Scrubbing brush made of nylon
Hose for the garden
STEP 1: COMBINE THE CLEANING SOLUTION WITH THE WATER
Place your cushions on a patio or deck. You should not wash them in your yard since they will be covered in grass stains and muck.
1 – 2 tablespoons dish detergent and (optional) 14 cup Borax in a bucket or container filled with warm water If you have mildew stains, the Borax will assist, but it isn’t necessary otherwise.
STEP 2: SOAK AND SCRUB THE CUSHIONS
Soak the cushions thoroughly with the hose then apply the cleaning solution generously all over the cushions with the scrubbing brush. Allow for 10 to 15 minutes of sitting time before scrubbing in a variety of directions to release any stains.
I like to scrub up and down, then all around the cushion in circular strokes.
It’s possible that stubborn stains will require a second round of cleaning solution and scrubbing.
RINSE IN THE THIRD STEP
Spray the cushions with a yard hose set to high pressure until the water runs clear.
STEP 4: WAIT FOR IT TO DRY
Squeeze the cushions to get rid of any extra moisture. Then dab the cushions with a towel to absorb as much water as possible.
Allow the cushions to air dry by standing them on their edge in a sunny location. This could take 4 to 6 hours on a hot day. On a less sunny day, it will take about 12 hours.
If you don’t make sure the cushions are totally dry before storing them, mildew will grow quickly.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR CUSHIONS IN PERFECT CONDITION
If you don’t want to store your patio cushions every night, I recommend either purchasing a huge cover that fits over your entire piece of furniture or renting one. At the absolute least, tip the cushions upright so that water will run straight down them if it rains.
CAN MILDEW STAINS ON FABRIC BE REMOVED?
Soak the cushions in a solution of 1 part Borax to 4 parts warm water and let the solution sit for about 10 minutes. Scrub the cushions with a stuff scrubbing brush until they are clean. Allow the cushions to dry after rinsing off the suds.
HOW TO USE VINEGAR TO CLEAN OUTDOOR CUSHIONS
Spray undiluted vinegar onto the patches and scrub with a dry nylon scrubbing brush if your cushions are otherwise clean and you only want to remove a few mildew stains. Allow an hour for the vinegar to settle on the cloth before wiping it clean with a damp sponge.
How Often Should Outdoor Cushions Be Cleaned?
The majority of outdoor furniture textiles are comprised of stain- and water-resistant materials that are intended to withstand the weather better than cotton. But it doesn’t mean you can toss the pillows in the trash and forget about them. Regular upkeep will help keep them looking excellent (and free of mildew and mould) for many more summers.
