Imagine getting ready to spend the day outside after a few weeks of being stuck indoors because of cold and rainy weather. You’re looking forward to enjoying some sun-soaking, and there will be reading in your near future. As you sip on a cold glass of lemonade and step outside, you discover that the inclement weather has taken its toll on your beautiful outdoor furniture cushions. Now they’re too dirty to sit on. Reading is out for the day, and cleaning your outdoor cushions is your new to-do.
That’s not to say that cleaning outdoor cushions is an activity you would rather avoid! On the contrary, taking care of your outdoor furniture can be a fun experience. In addition, cleaning outdoor cushions is essential in enhancing the longevity of the upholstery and ensuring the comfort and freshness of your sitting area. Your outdoor furniture is the refuge you run to when you need fresh air outside the walls of your home. You want to take care of it!
Keep your cushions clean and ready for guests, a reading day, or to invite your family to relax outside at any time. At Cushions by Wicker Imports, we understand how important comfortable, clean cushions are for enjoying your outdoor furniture. So, we’ve created this guide to help keep your cushions clean and comfortable for all your outdoor seating needs! And if you decide that you want new cushions after all, once you’ve read this guide, we can help with that too!
How Can I Clean My Patio Cushions and Pillows?
Unfortunately, outdoor fabrics are exposed to dirt, mold, mildew, debris, bird droppings, tree sap, fur, and other stains that can wear them out over time. It’s best to keep the cushions clean and out of direct UV rays to extend their lifespan.
Depending on what type of cushions you have, you might have different methods to keep them clean and look new for longer. You can clean your patio cushions and pillows using one of the four methods provided outlined here.
1. Using a Garden Hose
How do you clean your cushions if you don’t have removable covers? Easily, using a garden hose and a mild cleaning solution to wash your patio cushions and pillows is an excellent option in this scenario!
Here’s the process to clean them with a garden hose:
Step 1: Use an upholstery vacuum attachment or a soft-bristled brush to remove the loose dirt particles from the cushion surface. Be careful to get the brush into crevices, seams, and other dirt-hiding areas.
Step 2: Make a mild detergent solution and use a soft brush to scrub the cushion surface, paying extra attention to the stained spots. Leave the solution to soak for at least five minutes.
Step 3: Rinse the cushion using a moderate-pressure garden hose. Note that a hose is gentler on the fabric than a pressure washer.
Step 4: Allow the cushions to dry completely: Squeeze out the excess water and get as much moisture out of the cushion as possible with a clean towel.
Step 5: Finally, stand up the cushions, with the zippers down, in the sun to air dry.
2. Using Vinegar Solution
Many people prefer a vinegar cleaning solution, especially if you look for a more natural way to clean your cushions. Follow the simple steps below:
Step 1: Make a vinegar solution from 4 cups warm water and ¼ cup of distilled white vinegar. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
Step 2: Vacuum the cushions using an upholstery attachment or brush away loose dirt.
Step 3: Spray the cushion fabric and wait for 15 minutes.
Step 4: Scrub the cushion surface using a soft-bristled brush, emphasizing scrubbing the stained areas.
Step 5: Rinse the cushions with a low-pressure garden hose.
Step 6: Wring out the cushion with your hands and dry it with clean towels, as necessary.
Step 7: Air-dry your cushion in the sun, with the zippers down.
3. Using A Bucket of Water
Don’t have a hose? No problem, as hand washing with a bucket of water is a perfect alternative. Get a bucket of water and some cleaning solution, and you’re good to go.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Make a mild solution by adding the cleaning solution to the water in the bucket.
Step 2: Brush away any loose dirt particles on the cushion surface.
Step 3: Dip your soft brush into the solution and spread it on the cushions.
Step 4: Allow the solution to soak into cushions for a few minutes; five or so should be enough time.
Step 5: Gently scrub the surface of your cushions thoroughly.
Step 6: Repeat step 5 on areas with stubborn stains.
Step 7: Put some clean water in a bucket and rinse your cushions.
Step 8: Squeeze the excess water with your hands and soak up the remaining moisture with a clean towel.
Step 9: Place your cleaned cushions upright in the sun to air dry, with the zippers down.
After you have cleaned your cushions with any of these methods and they’re completely dry, it’s time to get back to relaxing outside!
What if You Want New or Additional Cushions?
Cleaning outdoor cushions are part of keeping up with your home. Clean outdoor seating is welcome and inviting, and it’s a simple task to complete in a few hours if you have the proper cleaning detergents and tools. Now that you have some simple and practical methods for cushion cleaning, you can get started!
But if you feel like your cushions are too far gone, you need to refresh them, or you just want to spice up the look of your furniture with new cushions, we can help with that too! Please browse our site today and order some fabric samples to see what will work best for your home.
