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You love relaxing and entertaining guests on a neat patio with beautiful, clean, and nice-smelling cushions. However, over time, the pollen, dust, food, and drink can stain and discolor your cushions, and attract mold, making your once cozy space appear dull and unappealing.
If you are wondering how to clean your patio cushions, you need not worry anymore. This post will show you how to make them look as good as new.
Considerations Before Washing Your Patio Cushions
Before you clean your patio cushions, it’s important to find out if there are special care instructions. Some precautions you need to consider include:
Read The Fabric Care Label
There’s a care label somewhere on your cushion. Look for it and read the care instructions. This ensures you use the appropriate cleaning method and solution.
Test A Small Area
Before applying a cleaning solution to the entire cushion, test it on a small, inconspicuous area first. This prevents discoloration, fading, or damaging the fabric.
Ascertain If Pre-Cleaning or Pre-Treatment Is Required
Depending on the type of dirt on your cushions, you may have to pre-clean them, for example, vacuuming to remove hair or dust. You may also need to use a stain remover to remove stubborn stains before cleaning the cushions.
How To Properly Clean Your Patio Cushions
If your cushions have covers that you can remove, check if they are machine washable. Common materials used to make patio cushions such as polyester, cotton, linen, and acrylic can be machine-washed. However, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning and drying them.
First, remove loose debris by shaking out the covers and putting them in the washing machine. Once washed, hang them outside to dry on structures like a clothesline or drying rack. If the instructions recommend, dry your cushion covers in the dryer, otherwise don’t try it or they could get damaged.
Likewise, if your cushions don’t have covers, you can wash them in the machine. But, do so only if they fit inside the washing machine, leaving room to agitate and spin. When done, you may dry them partially in the dryer if the instructions allow. Afterward, complete the drying process outside.
Drying the cushion in the machine can cause it to shrink or stiffen, leading to faster wear and tear. Therefore, removing them while slightly damp, ensures they dry gently outside, preserving their appearance.
If your patio cushions and covers aren’t machine washable, you can wash them by hand. To do this, follow the steps below:
Clean Off Dirt And Debris
Remove loose dirt and debris with a dry bristle brush or a vacuum with a brush attachment for easier cleaning. Be sure to focus on seams and areas with detailed stitching to remove deeply embedded dirt.
Prepare Cleaning Solution
To make the cleaning solution, add a quarter cup of mild detergent to a gallon of water in a bucket, and stir well.
Scrub Off Dirt And Grime
Look for a clean, flat surface, such as a sidewalk, driveway, or deck, on which to clean your cushions. Avoid washing them on grass; otherwise, they may accumulate more stains. Dip a soft-bristled brush into the cleaning solution and thoroughly scrub your cushions to remove all the dirt and grime.
Rinse And Dry Your Cushions
After scrubbing, dip the covers in clear water several times to eliminate all traces of soap, and dry them outside under shade.
To rinse the cushions, use a water hose and spray plenty of water until all the soap is out. Remember to hold the nozzle close enough to the cushions to ensure thorough rinsing but not too close to avoid damaging the fabric.
Move the hose back and forth, covering the surface area of all sides of the cushions. Particularly, pay attention to spots with soap residue, especially the seams. Rinse these areas until the water is clear and no soap bubbles appear.
Once, you’re satisfied your cushions don’t have any soap left, squeeze out as much water as possible, and place them outside under a shade. Prop the cushions upright against a clean surface, allowing them to air dry. Avoid direct sunlight, to prevent fading.
Tips For Cleaning Stains From Patio Cushions
Accidental spills from drinks and food, bird droppings, or other debris can lead to stains on your cushions. Fortunately, you can restore your patio cushions to their original beauty using the following cleaning remedies including:
How To Treat Your Cushions For Mildew
If the mold attack is mild, mix equal parts of water and vinegar, spray it onto the affected area and let it sit for 30 minutes. This allows the vinegar to penetrate the cushion and kill the mold. Afterward, scrub the spot with a soft-bristled brush and spray with water. To finish off, wipe the area with a clean cloth and let it dry completely.
However, if the mold infestation is severe, use full-strength vinegar and let it sit for one hour, and then scrub and rinse off with water.
How To Clean Oil Stains
Food oils may drip onto your cushions, creating greasy stains. To remove these stains, sprinkle baking soda, cornstarch, or baby powder. Allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes, then brush it off. If the spot is still visible, repeat this process until it vanishes.
Next, mix 2 to 3 squirts of dish soap with 1 liter of water. Dampen a sponge with this solution and gently blot the area multiple times. Next, spray the area with water, rinsing off the soapy water, and then allow it to dry thoroughly.
Removing Tree Sap
Add ice cubes into a plastic bag and place it on the sap. After hardening, scrape off the sap with a blunt knife. To eliminate any remaining stains, spray hand sanitizer on it. To remove the stain faster, immerse the sanitizer bottle in a bowl of hot water. However, ensure it’s not boiling water.
The warm sanitizer will aid in softening the sap, allowing the alcohol in the sanitizer to penetrate deeper. After around 15 minutes, you should be able to wipe off the last traces of the sap with a clean dry rag.
How To Eliminate Grass Stains
With kids and pets running around your patio, there’s a high chance the cushions will be grass-stained. To treat this problem, mix a few drops of hydrogen peroxide and a tablespoon of baking soda to form a thick paste.
Apply the paste on the grass stain and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Then, scrub it off with a soft-bristle brush and wait another ten minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Afterward, take it outside, allowing it to dry completely.
Getting Rid Of Bird Poop
Using a seltzer carbonated drink will do the trick in removing bird poop from your patio cushions. It will break down the mineral deposits in the poop, lifting it out of the fabric. To do this, pour a little seltzer on the stain and allow it to sit for 10 minutes or until the fizzing stops. Afterward, mix a drop of dish soap in a cup of water, dip a sponge, wipe out the stain, and let it dry.
How To Remove Dark-Colored Stains
Foods like chocolate or beverages like red wine can stain your patio cushions with dark marks. To address this, use cream of tartar. Create a paste by mixing a small amount of tartar with white vinegar, and then apply it over the stain. Leave it for 15 minutes, rinse with water, and repeat the steps if needed until the stain disappears.
Tips For New-Looking Patio Cushions Year-Round
Keeping your patio cushions looking new year-round requires regular maintenance and a few smart cleaning strategies. Below are tips to help you maintain them in good condition:
Prompt cleaning – To prevent stains from setting, treat stains immediately using the appropriate cleaning solutions.
Regular cleaning – Regularly wash the cushions and covers according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Washing once at the end of each season is good enough.
Protect against UV rays – When not using your cushions, protect them from the sun’s rays by keeping them indoors.
Proper storage – During the winter, or when not in use, store cushions in a dry, well-ventilated area. This stops mold and mildew from growing.
Treat with a fabric protectant – To restore your fabric’s defense against spills and stains use a fabric protectant. Apply it every time you wash your cushions and after drying completely. An example of such a spray-on treatment is 303-Fabric-Upholstery-Protector-Repellent.
Cushion rotation – To extend your cushion’s lifespan, rotate them regularly to ensure even sun exposure and shade.
Cushion covers – Use cushion covers that protect against spills, stains, and environmental elements.
Professional cleaning – Once or twice a year, call a professional to give your cushions a deeper clean.
Regularly inspect cushions – Check often for any signs of wear and tear to help address such issues early. For example, have fraying seams sewn up to prevent further tearing.
Wrap Up
Over time, cushions can become stained and discolored due to pollen, dust, food, and drink spills. Mold, too is a culprit. However, you can restore your cushions to their former glory. Use the right techniques and appropriate cleaning solutions.
Furthermore, learning tips about removing different types of stains and how to clean them all year round will keep your cushions in good condition for a long time.
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