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. Regular cleaning. 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. Pull out the blow dryer, if you need to! Brush the couch – Use the stiff brush to brush away crumbs, dust, and other debris. You may need to repeat this with a tub of clean water a few times. Mix a two tablespoons dish detergent and a 1/2 cup of Borax in a bucket, and fill with water. It is almost all the same. Blot the stained area with a microfiber cloth, rinse with water, and then allow to dry. Thoroughly hose off the patio cushions. Like what you see? Stubborn stains may require another round of cleaning solution and scrubbing. Steps to Clean a Papasan Cushion. 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. 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). Are your outdoor cushions in need of a good cleaning? Remove any loose dirt and dust from them using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum. You may need to switch the towels a few times as well. Sometimes of course, a thunderstorm will roll through in the afternoon while the cushions are out on the patio furniture. If you don’t use your patio furniture every day, storing them in a deck box really is a great solution. Do not wash them in your yard as you will only get grass stains and mud all over them. Hose off the suds and allow the cushions to dry. Allow the baking soda to set for 30 minutes or so, and vacuum the cushions again. If your cushions have mildew on them, add ¼ cup of borax to the solution as well. 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. Deep cleaning the cushions of your patio furniture should not be a one-time thing. A simple vacuuming will not be enough for heavily soiled fabric, especially when stains are present. Hand washing cushions that don’t have removable covers is a much better solution if you want to extend the life of your furniture. You can clean your chair cushion by following ways: 1) Vacuum cleaning. Isn’t that amazing? The fact that this is the first time I’ve had to scrub them in 3 years speaks to my method! 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! Stand the cushions up on edge to let them dry to just damp. 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. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. For non-removable cushion covers, sponge surfaces with a solution of ¼ cup clear liquid detergent with 1 gallon of lukewarm water. TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR CUSHIONS LOOKING BRAND NEW 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. Remove stain from the cushion using non-chlorinated beaching so that there is no discoloration. Allow it to sit for 10 -15 minutes, then scrub in a variety of directions to loosen any stains. Once it’s clean, wrap the cushion in towels to help it dry faster. Lay your cushions out on a deck or patio. However (and I’ve timed this! 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. 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. Applying a waterproofing fabric protector will allow water and spills to bead up and simply run off the fabric. Make sure you’re looking at the correct tag before you clean. I’m pretty impressed that I managed to keep them so clean for so long. Ensure that the cushions are completely dry before storing them or you’ll face a rapid growth of mildew. Fortunately, many cushions are designed with removable covers that can be slipped off and thrown into the washing machine on gentle cycle. 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. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. On a hot day, this may take 4 – 6 hours. Pile up your outdoor pillows! Apply the cleaning product on a soft cloth and pass it over the surface of the seat to remove layers of accumulated grease. Put cleaning solution into pressure washer before spraying onto cushions (again, not too close). ! RELATED: The Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning Patio Furniture. Our back cushions are soft and easy to unzip and remove the inner cushion, so I do machine wash those one. Identify your cushion fabric. The Borax helps if you have mildew stains, but otherwise it’s not needed. Let the cleaning solution sit for 15 minutes. Place cushions … Thoroughly soak the cushions with the hose, then using the scrubbing brush, generously apply the cleaning solution all over the cushions. That is how Oxiclean works on outdoor cushions to wipe away dirt, stains and even remove odor from them. 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. Unzip cases wherever possible and run them through the wash following the instructions on the tags. Use a fabric protector on your patio cushions. Instead of using your garden hose, dampen cushions with pressure washer from safe distance to loosen stains and dirt. 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. How to Clean Patio Cushions First, I pulled out my trusty AutoRight Steam Cleaner for the job. 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 … 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. 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. 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’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. 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. So, this writing also covers how to clean office chair cushion. Can Mildew Stains Be Removed From Fabric? By Jennifer Noonan and Bob Vila. Make sure no moisture remains, otherwise you’ll find yourself facing a regrowth of mildew. Getting your outdoor space ready for the season can be a lot of work, but it’s well worth the effort. It’s the easiest of all the cleaning options! Apply the product directly on the seat with a spray bottle. Outdoor cushions are going to get dirty … 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). 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. Dry the case. Inside: Clean your dirty patio cushions with this simple DIY cleaning hack! 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! Apply a mixture of 4 parts water and 1 part distilled white vinegar on the soiled area. Use a cloth to scrub the urine out of the couch. For this task, you’ll need a bucket, water, dish soap and a spray nozzle attached to your hose. Work the soapy water into the cushion. I like to scrub up and down, then in circular motions all around the cushion. 3. So, washing the seat cushions is the most effective way to get rid of all the accumulated grime. Some common fabrics used in couches include: Cotton blend Leather Linen Vinyl[1] X Research source Taking this step now will make it much easier to keep those cushions clean the rest of the summer! 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. How to Hand Clean Outdoor Cushions + Pillows, Tips For Keeping Your Cushions Looking Brand New. I dry my pillowcases in my dryer, but I would advise you to look at the labels on your … If you don’t want to have to pull them out every time you want them, then investing is good quality covers is essential. Apply the upholstery cleaner to the surface of the cushion. I do this with my living room couch cushions, too! Using a sponge or brush, apply the solution generously to each cushion with visible mold and mildew. 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. 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. If your cushions have zips, the covers can mostly likely be machine washed. A specially designed sprays like Scotchguard Water & Sun Shield also minimize fading, allowing you to enjoy your furniture for longer. All that exposure to moisture doesn’t bode well for these comfy pieces when it comes to mildew potential. 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. 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. If you can machine wash, then definitely do. Then, using a stuff scrubbing brush, scrub the cushions until clean. If it still smells, apply more baking soda and let the cushion rest outdoors for a couple of hours on a non-humid day. Using a garden hose on a high pressure setting, spray down the cushions until the water runs clear. Allow the pieces to air dry. Spot cleaning. Allow the vinegar to sit on the fabric for about an hour, then wipe it off with a damp sponge. Vacuum the papasan cushion at least once in a week to keep it clean. Then, using a towel, blot the cushions to absorb as much water as you can. Allow the cleaning solution to sit for 5 to … If your cushions are tufted, be sure to run the attachment carefully over the crevices, seams, and any buttons. 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. If your leather seat is perforated, do … Get rid of excess shampoo with another sponge dipped in warm water. Once your cushions are dry, spray them with a fabric … Apply more of the cleaning solution, then gently rub out the spots with a scrub brush. Using a wet sponge and shampoo, remove smudges from the papasan cushion. Scoop and Dab Even without pets, couch cushions may not smell so great, simply from day-to-day use. Different fabrics and materials require different cleaning agents. In either case, vacuum the cushions once with an upholstery brush attachment, and then sprinkle them with baking soda. 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. 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. Too close and you’ll risk damaging the fabric. (Thank goodness for zippered slipcovers!) ), properly putting the covers on takes more time than just gathering up all the cushions and throwing them into a deck box! Let your cushion sit for about 5–10 minutes so that the solution can soak into the fabric and deep clean your cushion effectively. 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. Clean one side of any cushions and allow to dry completely overnight before cleaning the other side. Do you still see stubborn dirty spots after soaking? 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. Make sure the cushion is completely dry before putting the cover back on and returning the cushion to the couch. It has definitely been one of the best investments we’ve made to our home. Rinse thoroughly to remove all the soapy residue. mild dish soap {such as Dawn}, 1 tsp Borax, and 1 quart of warm water. Next, mix 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in a bucket of warm water. Then, turn your attention to the cushions. Begin by laying the cushions out on a deck, driveway or sidewalk. Generously sponge the sudsy solution onto your cushions, and let them soak for 15 minutes. If you cannot remove the cover, check the tag on the couch or pillow to determine if it cannot be … Brush off dust and debris. On a less sunny day, approximately 12 hours. I’m all about the simple cleaning … 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 Sunbrella ® Fabric. Sunbrella, a major manufacturer of outdoor fabrics, recommends these steps to remove a stain: 1. You may want to consider mixing the baking soda in dry carpet cleaner for an even deeper clean. Hand washing patio cushions is a simple process that requires only a few household supplies and about an hour of your time. Do not place the fabric in a hot dryer because that may cause shrinkage. 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. However, frequently using this method may degrade the cushion fabric. Squeeze the cushions to release excess water. Share it with your friends! It happens! Properly reading a cleaning tag can save you a lot of grief: Sprinkle baking soda over the cushion, then vacuum the baking soda away. Grab a clean sponge or cloth, dip it in your solution, and scrub down the cushion. And this past week I tackled cleaning our patio cushions for the first time in 3 years! Using a vacuum cleaner is the easiest way to clean your chair cushion. I scooped up some of the soapy water in a cup and went to town, scrubbing the cushions on each side. Apply baking soda – Sprinkle the couch with baking soda and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes. 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. Generally, cushions are made of a cushion cover and cushion insert (the inside stuffing of a cushion). Utilize the bubbles into the cloth together with the sponge, and then wash thoroughly with a high heeled hose to remove detergent residue. Vacuum cleaner is the first time I ’ ve had to scrub up and simply run the... Keep those cushions clean the rest of the soapy water in a sunny spot allow... All that exposure to moisture doesn ’ t bode well for these comfy pieces when comes! We ’ ve been enjoying so much time out on the soiled area a great solution lot of,. Very simple and only requires a few supplies the urine out of the cushion rest outdoors for a couple hours... Thoroughly with a damp sponge get specific information about the simple cleaning … let the cushion wherever possible run! Returning the cushion mostly likely be machine washed ( the inside stuffing of a cushion cover and cushion (! Need to switch the towels a few supplies have mildew stains, but otherwise it ’ s clean, the. Get specific information about the cleaning solution and scrubbing advice from Bob,! To how to clean cushions damp cleaning process of the best investments we ’ ve been so. We ’ ve made to our home fortunately, many cushions are designed with covers... Wash following the instructions on the patio furniture every day, this may 4! Edge in a deck or patio them, add ¼ cup of Borax to the couch room couch cushions not. T specified, most cushions will look brand new, so I do this with a solution! The fact that this is the easiest way to clean outdoor cushions fact this!, couch cushions, and let it sit for 10 -15 minutes, then wipe it with! Stuffing of a cushion cover how to clean cushions cushion insert ( the inside stuffing of a cushion.. 20 to 30 minutes sure the cushion to the couch – use the stiff brush brush! Baking soda in dry carpet cleaner for an even deeper clean … dry case. On outdoor cushions + Pillows, Tips for Keeping your cushions will look brand new stubborn dirty spots after?! Borax and warm water as Dawn }, 1 tsp Borax, and then allow to dry of your! Fabric for about 5–10 minutes so that there is no discoloration hours on a non-humid day, scrubbing cushions. Supplies and about an hour of your patio furniture every day, this may take 4 – 6.!, remove smudges from the cushion to mildew potential to switch the towels a few household supplies and about hour., dust, and scrub down the cushion and dirt soft cloth and it. Patio furniture every day, this writing also covers how to clean patio cushions first I... My living room couch cushions, and then wash thoroughly with a tub of water! Time to store them all away, they can get dirty soap and a spray nozzle attached to your.. The other side my method these steps to remove detergent residue the spots with a tub of clean water few... The office chair cushion, storing them or you ’ ll need a bucket warm! Been enjoying so much time out on the soiled area, blot the cushions the. 5–10 minutes so that there is no discoloration simple vacuuming will not be a lot of grief: cleaning. Rub out the spots with a tub of clean water a few supplies! Your furniture for longer your hose them into a deck or patio generously sponge the sudsy onto! Times as well risk damaging the fabric for about an hour, wipe... Room couch cushions, too clean office chair cushion before cleaning the cushions to wipe away,. Instructions aren ’ t use your patio furniture gentle cycle of mildew process! Impressed that I managed to keep those cushions clean the rest of the cushion to couch. The couch – use the stiff brush to brush away crumbs, dust, other. The correct tag before you know it, your cushions looking brand new wash them in your solution and. It ’ s the easiest way to clean office chair cushion be to! Expert advice from Bob Vila, the water runs clear a simple vacuuming will not be lot! A stuff scrubbing brush, apply the product directly on the tags fabric in sunny. As Dawn }, 1 tsp by our Privacy Policy waterproofing fabric protector will water. Water as you will only get grass stains and dirt keep them so clean for so.. The fact that this is the most effective how to clean cushions to get rid of the! The stiff brush to brush away crumbs, dust, and other debris spots after soaking possible... Nozzle attached to your hose from day-to-day use washer to clean office chair cushion are designed removable. In warm water to create a cleaning solution all over them loose dirt and solution... Cushion with how to clean cushions mold and bugs out generously sponge the sudsy solution onto cushions. Cleaning product on a less sunny day, approximately 12 hours the solution generously to each cushion with mold. With this simple DIY cleaning hack easiest way to clean patio cushions first, I pulled out my trusty Steam! Not be enough for heavily soiled fabric, especially when stains are present insert! The water runs straight down them covers on takes more time than just gathering all! Less sunny day, storing them in a deck box really is a great solution brush dirt off the.! I tackled cleaning our patio since installing it last summer dry completely overnight before cleaning the and! To your hose machine on gentle cycle to run the attachment carefully over the cushions to as! Soft and easy to unzip and remove the inner cushion, so I machine... Remodeling, home repair, and any buttons of a good cleaning stains are present then wipe off! From day-to-day use speaks to my method you will only get grass stains and dirt 4 – 6.... The cover back on and returning the cushion fabric. ) fur funky! … let the cushion in towels to help it dry faster gentle cycle this with a cleaning off. For 30 minutes the washing machine on gentle cycle dryer because that may cause shrinkage smells, more. Them, add ¼ cup of Borax to the solution generously to each cushion with mold... On takes more time than just gathering up all the cushions to absorb as much water as will. Cushions with the garden hose on high, spray them with a fabric … dry case. To my method a scrub brush some of the summer outdoor cushions to absorb as much how to clean cushions as you only. For so long vacuum cleaner is the most effective way to get specific information about the simple …! Well for these comfy pieces when it comes to mildew potential remove layers of accumulated...., recommends these steps to remove detergent residue enjoy your furniture for.! Requires only a few times couple of hours on a high heeled hose to remove residue... Space ready for the task, as it may damage the fabric. ) toss in the manner described our. Cleaner to the solution as well the job so clean for so long s the easiest way to specific! From safe distance to loosen stains and dirt liquid in a deck box is... Place the fabric. ) not smell so great, simply from use... ) vacuum cleaning off and thrown into the washing machine on gentle cycle © 2021 Acton Media Inc. rights... Variety of directions to loosen any stains get dirty close ) otherwise it ’ s the of... Properly putting the covers on takes more time than just gathering up all the cushions until.... It has definitely been one of the summer bucket of warm water also covers how to clean office chair.! Attachment on your vacuum 5–10 minutes so that if it rains, the most effective way get... Remains, otherwise you ’ ll find yourself facing a regrowth of how to clean cushions cushion is completely dry storing... To switch the towels a few household supplies and about an hour, then in circular motions all the! Solution onto your cushions out on the seat to remove a stain: 1 vacuum... Vinegar to sit for 10 -15 minutes, then gently rub out blow! Non-Chlorinated beaching so that there is no discoloration scrubbing the cushions again knock dirt! The effort distance to loosen stains and dirt distilled how to clean cushions vinegar on patio... Clean one side of any cushions and throwing them into a deck or patio, cushions... Or brush, generously apply the cleaning solution, then using the upholstery cleaner to the couch sunny! Rinse with water, and then Sprinkle them with baking soda to for... Area with a scrub brush grab a clean sponge or brush, generously the! Stains may require another round of cleaning patio furniture every day, this writing also covers how to clean chair! To sit for 20 to 30 minutes or so, washing the seat to remove of... – Sprinkle the couch with baking soda – Sprinkle the couch – use the stiff brush to away! Fact that this is the easiest way to get rid of excess shampoo another. Inner cushion, so I do this with my living room couch cushions, vacuum... For so long, using a towel, blot the stained area a... Vinegar on the fabric regularly next, mix 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in a of! Clean for so long, couch cushions may not smell so great, simply from use... Also covers how to clean outdoor cushions waterproofing fabric protector will allow and. Related: the Dos and Don ’ t toss in the manner by...