Free Cushions! You heard it right. At Harbor Classics, you get free cushions with your outdoor furniture. Cushions add comfort and softness to the outdoor furniture. However, these plush accents undergo a lot of exposure to the weather. Nevertheless, you want to keep them clean. Follow these simple tips on how to clean outdoor furniture cushions. Outdoor cushions are not only prone to dirt and spills but also mildew and bird droppings. We hear ya! Cleaning outdoor cushions will not be another chore with these easy tips.
Wash ‘em Before You Store ‘em
The first tip is that always wash your cushions before you store them away for the next season. When you take them out for use and put them back on your outdoor chair, it is a good idea to wash them before the first use. It is also hygienic. Given the present circumstances, hygiene has become so important. However, washing before the first use depends on where and how they were stored. If they were stored away sealed, then, of course, they don’t need to be washed.
Protective Fabric Sprays
Most of the times, outdoor cushions come with a waterproof coating. This coating helps in stain-resistance too. Use the protective fabric sprays to restore the coating. If your cushions do not have the coating already, protect them with such sprays. However, before you apply these protective sprays on your cushions, make sure you thoroughly clean them. To avoid sealing the dirt and stains on your cushions.
How to Clean Outdoor Furniture Cushions
Some outdoor furniture come with removable cushion covers. And more often than not, these are machine washable. Read the washing instructions and pop them into the washing machine as often as required. A good quality stain remover can be your best friend for stubborn stains. Let the covers air-dry completely before you put them back on the cushions.
If your cushions don’t have removable covers, follow these simple steps to clean them.
What do You Need to Clean Outdoor Cushions
- A vacuum cleaner with upholstery attachment
- A soft bristle laundry brush
- Dishwashing detergent
- Borax or baking soda
- Water
- Garden Hose
- Towels/Cotton Cloths
1. Vacuum Clean
First things first. Clean up the loose grime from the cushions using an upholstery attachment on a vacuum cleaner. Be careful vacuuming around the decorative attachments such as buttons. Also, pay attention to the crevices and clear up all the dirt that could be hidden. Otherwise, when you go ahead with the next steps, it could get wet and stick in there.
2. Scrub-a-dub-dub
Turn on music while you do it! Make the cleaning solution by mixing a tablespoon of dishwashing detergent and a quarter cup of borax in 650 ounces (a bucket) of water. Spray the solution onto the cushions or simply dip your brush in it. Scrub the cushions with a soft-bristled laundry brush. Be gentle. If there are particularly stained areas on the cushions, scrub them again and again but gently. If you did take the advice and turned on the music, wait for a song, to allow the solution to soak up the cushions. Otherwise, wait five minutes. This is an important step on how to clean outdoor furniture cushions.
3. Alternate Cleaning solution
If you aren’t a fan of chemicals, try a natural cleaning solution. (bonus: kinder to the planet). Mix a quarter cup of distilled vinegar into four cups of lukewarm water. Spray the solution onto the cushions generously and let it soak through for at least fifteen minutes. Scrub the stained area with the soft-bristled brush.
4. Rinse with a Water Hose
This is a fun part but don’t get too excited. Use the water hose at medium pressure. The high pressure can damage the fabric as well as the loft of the cushions. Rinse off the cleaning solution with plenty of water.
5. Lather, Rinse, Repeat
If you find a stubborn stain that didn’t go away the first time, give it a second round of scrubbing. If it doesn’t work (for example, on stubborn grass stain), you can use an enzyme stain remover. Use the brush to scrub the detergent on the stain and rinse well.
6. Air-Dry
Squeeze the cushions nice and firm to drain excess water. Blot the cushions with towels or cotton clothes to soak up as much water as you can. Squeeze the cloth to remove water and repeat. Allow the cushions to dry in an upright position. Air-dry the cushions completely. A sunny spot can speed up the drying process.
There! Your cushions are nice and clean.
Cheeky Stains
We hear ya! The outdoor cushions are prone to some hard-to-remove stains. Here’s a little help on how to clean outdoor furniture cushions with stains.
From the get-go, a stain should be immediately treated if possible. As mentioned above, grass stains can be removed by using detergents containing enzymes. For oil stains, that can come from the sunscreen or food, sprinkle baking soda on the stain. Wait for at least 15 minutes to allow the oil to be absorbed. Scrap off the residual powder with a ruler or a credit card. Repeat the process until the stain is completely removed.
For mildew, scrap off as much as possible with a brush. Avoid spreading the spores though. Spray the affected area with distilled white vinegar. Or place a clean cloth soaked in white vinegar over the stain. Wait for at least ten minutes. Then, scrub the area with a small amount of dishwashing detergent using a wet sponge. Rinse and let dry completely.
If you are the person who heads straight to the outdoor space as soon as the sun shines, you’ll definitely need *clean* cushions. Hopefully, this article helped you sort it out for you. For inspiration to create your perfect outdoor space, check out our design inspiration. Quality, beauty, durability, and affordability are all part of the Harbor Classic brand promise.
