Maintaining Your Cushions Brush dirt off the fabric regularly. Outdoor cushions are going to get dirty … Too close and you’ll risk damaging the fabric. 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. If your cushions have mildew on them, add ¼ cup of borax to the solution as well. On a hot day, this may take 4 – 6 hours. Then with the garden hose on high, spray the cushions thoroughly to knock the dirt and cleaning solution off the cushions. So, washing the seat cushions is the most effective way to get rid of all the accumulated grime. Sometimes of course, a thunderstorm will roll through in the afternoon while the cushions are out on the patio furniture. A specially designed sprays like Scotchguard Water & Sun Shield also minimize fading, allowing you to enjoy your furniture for longer. Sunbrella, a major manufacturer of outdoor fabrics, recommends these steps to remove a stain: 1. Vacuum the papasan cushion at least once in a week to keep it clean. Cleaning patio chair cushions is actually very simple and only requires a few supplies. Remove stain from the cushion using non-chlorinated beaching so that there is no discoloration. Spot cleaning. In your bucket or container filled with warm water, add 1 – 2 tablespoons of dish detergent and (optional) ¼ cup of Borax. How to Clean Sunbrella ® Fabric. 3. 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). Isn’t that amazing? 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. Wet or dirty fur contribute funky odors to the couch. Allow the vinegar to sit on the fabric for about an hour, then wipe it off with a damp sponge. So, this writing also covers how to clean office chair cushion. Then, turn your attention to the cushions. Stand the cushions up on edge to let them dry to just damp. If your leather seat is perforated, do … Using a garden hose on a high pressure setting, spray down the cushions until the water runs clear. 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. Blot the stained area with a microfiber cloth, rinse with water, and then allow to dry. 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. Do not place the fabric in a hot dryer because that may cause shrinkage. Optional: Use pressure washer to clean outdoor cushions. You may need to repeat this with a tub of clean water a few times. Hand washing cushions that don’t have removable covers is a much better solution if you want to extend the life of your furniture. Grab a clean sponge or cloth, dip it in your solution, and scrub down the cushion. Applying a waterproofing fabric protector will allow water and spills to bead up and simply run off the fabric. 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. Apply the cleaning product on a soft cloth and pass it over the surface of the seat to remove layers of accumulated grease. Make sure you’re looking at the correct tag before you clean. Can Mildew Stains Be Removed From Fabric? Hand washing patio cushions is a simple process that requires only a few household supplies and about an hour of your time. However, frequently using this method may degrade the cushion fabric. Our back cushions are soft and easy to unzip and remove the inner cushion, so I do machine wash those one. Rinse thoroughly to remove all the soapy residue. 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. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. 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. Make sure no moisture remains, otherwise you’ll find yourself facing a regrowth of mildew. The Borax helps if you have mildew stains, but otherwise it’s not needed. It has definitely been one of the best investments we’ve made to our home. 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. Before you know it, your cushions will look brand new again! TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR CUSHIONS LOOKING BRAND NEW If it still smells, apply more baking soda and let the cushion rest outdoors for a couple of hours on a non-humid day. 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. Use a fabric protector on your patio cushions. 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. Step 2: Mix the Solution Thoroughly hose off the patio cushions. ! Using a wet sponge and shampoo, remove smudges from the papasan cushion. I dry my pillowcases in my dryer, but I would advise you to look at the labels on your … If you can machine wash, then definitely do. Deep cleaning the cushions of your patio furniture should not be a one-time thing. If you cannot remove the cover, check the tag on the couch or pillow to determine if it cannot be … Do not wash them in your yard as you will only get grass stains and mud all over them. The fact that this is the first time I’ve had to scrub them in 3 years speaks to my method! Mix the Borax and warm water to create a cleaning 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. I’m pretty impressed that I managed to keep them so clean for so long. Identify your cushion fabric. 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. Properly reading a cleaning tag can save you a lot of grief: 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. And this past week I tackled cleaning our patio cushions for the first time in 3 years! Squeeze the cushions to release excess water. I’m all about the simple cleaning … It freshens cushions that you can’t toss in the washing machine and it helps keep mold and bugs out. How to Hand Clean Outdoor Cushions + Pillows, Tips For Keeping Your Cushions Looking Brand New. Stubborn stains may require another round of cleaning solution and scrubbing. How to Clean Patio Cushions First, I pulled out my trusty AutoRight Steam Cleaner for the job. Utilize the bubbles into the cloth together with the sponge, and then wash thoroughly with a high heeled hose to remove detergent residue. I do this with my living room couch cushions, too! RELATED: The Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning Patio Furniture. 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. Get rid of excess shampoo with another sponge dipped in warm water. The stain remover also ensures that while you wash or clean the cushions, no sand or dirt gets to redeposit itself on the cushions from the tools you are using to clean at that moment. It happens! Different fabrics and materials require different cleaning agents. Inside: Clean your dirty patio cushions with this simple DIY cleaning hack! Ensure that the cushions are completely dry before storing them or you’ll face a rapid growth of mildew. Let the cleaning solution sit for 15 minutes. If your cushions have zips, the covers can mostly likely be machine washed. Generously sponge the sudsy solution onto your cushions, and let them soak for 15 minutes. 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. 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. 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. 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. Cleaning sofa cushions involves spot cleaning and washing the fabric with soapy water, which will require time for drying. 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. Begin by laying the cushions out on a deck, driveway or sidewalk. Apply a mixture of 4 parts water and 1 part distilled white vinegar on the soiled area. 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. mild dish soap {such as Dawn}, 1 tsp Borax, and 1 quart of warm water. Getting your outdoor space ready for the season can be a lot of work, but it’s well worth the effort. For this task, you’ll need a bucket, water, dish soap and a spray nozzle attached to your hose. Allow the cleaning solution to sit for 5 to … 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. 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. I scooped up some of the soapy water in a cup and went to town, scrubbing the cushions on each side. However (and I’ve timed this! It is almost all the same. Apply the upholstery cleaner to the surface of the cushion. In either case, vacuum the cushions once with an upholstery brush attachment, and then sprinkle them with baking soda. We’ve been enjoying so much time out on our patio since installing it last summer. Share it with your friends! Some common fabrics used in couches include: Cotton blend Leather Linen Vinyl[1] X Research source Then, using a towel, blot the cushions to absorb as much water as you can. Taking this step now will make it much easier to keep those cushions clean the rest of the summer! Even without pets, couch cushions may not smell so great, simply from day-to-day use. The first thing you should do is scoop up any remaining solids with a butter knife or a … On a less sunny day, approximately 12 hours. Sprinkle baking soda over the cushion, then vacuum the baking soda away. Next, mix 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in a bucket of warm water. Using a vacuum cleaner is the easiest way to clean your chair cushion. Clean one side of any cushions and allow to dry completely overnight before cleaning the other side. 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). Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. If I’m not around, or simply don’t have time to store them all away, they can get dirty. 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. Like what you see? Lay your cushions out on a deck or patio. You may want to consider mixing the baking soda in dry carpet cleaner for an even deeper clean. 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. Steps to Clean a Papasan Cushion. Regular cleaning. Work the soapy water into the cushion. Allow it to sit for 10 -15 minutes, then scrub in a variety of directions to loosen any stains. 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. 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. Make sure the cushion is completely dry before putting the cover back on and returning the cushion to the couch. Brush the couch – Use the stiff brush to brush away crumbs, dust, and other debris. I like to scrub up and down, then in circular motions all around the cushion. 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! All that exposure to moisture doesn’t bode well for these comfy pieces when it comes to mildew potential. 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. Put cleaning solution into pressure washer before spraying onto cushions (again, not too close). Do you still see stubborn dirty spots after soaking? At the very least, tilt the cushions upright so that if it rains, the water runs straight down them. Are your outdoor cushions in need of a good cleaning? Pile up your outdoor pillows! Unzip cases wherever possible and run them through the wash following the instructions on the tags. If your cushions are tufted, be sure to run the attachment carefully over the crevices, seams, and any buttons. Stand the cushions on their edge in a sunny spot and allow to air dry. Apply more of the cleaning solution, then gently rub out the spots with a scrub brush. You can clean your chair cushion by following ways: 1) Vacuum cleaning. 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. Scoop and Dab By Jennifer Noonan and Bob Vila. Allow the vinegar to sit on the fabric for about an hour, then wipe it off with a damp sponge. Mix a two tablespoons dish detergent and a 1/2 cup of Borax in a bucket, and fill with water. You may want to get specific information about the cleaning process of the office chair cushion. 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