How to Clean Outdoor Cushions
Keeping your outdoor patio furniture cushions clean is the number one factor that affects how long they last. All outdoor fabric manufacturers have their own unique cleaning methods for outdoor patio furniture cushions. In general, you should be cleaning your patio cushions with a leaf blower to blow away dust, pollen and leaves on a weekly basis. For a deeper clean, use your stick or tank vacuum to remove dust and dirt that have migrated down into the fibers. For more detailed information on how to deep clean your patio cushions, see our outdoor cushion cleaning guide.
One of the easiest ways to keep your outood cushions clean is giving them a quick vaccuum or a leaf blower once a week. This will help remove any dirt or pollon that has made it way down deep inside the fibers. If you are allergic to pollen, we strongly advise using a leaf blower or vacuum before every use.
Any kind of vacuum will work to clean your patio cushions. We know you have at least one of these in your house. No excuses. Just do it!
Below you will find specific cleaning instructions for each outdoor fabric manufacturer. Not all outdoor fabrics are cleaned in the same way. Please refer to the manufacturer of your outdoor fabric and follow instructions accordingly.
SUNBRELLA CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella fabrics looking good is to brush off dirt and debris before it becomes embedded in the fabrics and to address messes and clean spills soon after they occur. The quicker you clean spills, the easier they can be to remove.
Try This First... With a New Spill on Your Sunbrella Fabric:
- Blot (don't rub) liquid spills with a clean, dry cloth.
- For oil based spills, apply an absorbent such as corn statch, then remove with a straight edge.
- Spray on a mild cleaning solution of soap and water
- Rinse the fabric thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Air dry.
Try This Next... If Your First Try Doesn't Get the Spill Completely Out:
Though Sunbrella fabrics can be used both outdoors and in, your cleaning methods should differ slightly based on the fabrication and manufacturing of the furniture. We recommend using the appropriate cleaning instructions for your application.
Outdoor Upholstery
Cleaning Removable Fabric
Hand Washing
Soak fabric in a solution of 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Use a sponge or very soft bristle brush to lightly agitate the stain. Then rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue and allow fabric to air dry.
Machine Washing
Some removable casings can be washed in the washing machine. However, consult the furniture manufacturer before removing the casing as cushion construction may vary. To wash, first close all zippers. Machine wash in cold water on the delicate cycle with normal amounts of mild laundry detergent. For severe mold or mildew, add 1 cup of bleach. Allow fabric to air dry.
Cleaning Non-Removable Fabric
Prepare a solution of 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Use a soft bristle brush to clean, allowing the cleaning solution to soak into the fabric. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue and allow fabric to air dry.
For best results when cleaning upholstered pieces, clean the entire surface area of the fabric, from seam to seam, instead of rubbing the fabric in a circular motion on the spill. This method, along with an extractor, may be required in order to avoid water rings and residue.
Mold and Mildew
Sunbrella fabrics do not promote mildew growth, however, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances if not removed from the fabric. To remove mold or mildew:
- Prepare a solution of 1 cup of bleach and 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of water.
- Spray on entire area and allow to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes.
- Clean entire surface area with a sponge, clean towel or very soft bristle brush.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
- Air dry.
For severe mold/mildew growth, bleach quantities may be increased.
Machine Washing
Some removable casings can be washed in the washing machine, however consult the furniture manufacturer before removing the casing as cushion construction may vary. To wash, first close all zippers. Machine wash in cold water on the delicate cycle with normal amounts of mild laundry detergent. Allow fabric to air dry.
How to Care for your Outdura Fabrics
Our fabrics are made of 100% solution-dyed acrylic fibers which are capable of withstanding the high demands of outdoor use. To keep your fabric looking its best, we suggest cleaning the fabric at the first signs of dirt or stains. For routine maintenance of your fabrics, we recommend cleaning each spring season.
Normal Stains/Dirt
1. Remove loose dirt with a soft bristle brush or hose down with cold water.
2. Clean with mixture of water and mild soap. Rub in mixture with soft brush and allow to thoroughly soak into the fabric.
3. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and air dry.
4. Never use water over 100° Fahrenheit. Do not machine dry. For light cleaning, avoid the use of detergents.
Stubborn Stains/Dirt
1. Before bleach cleaning, make sure fabric is dry and has been vacuumed, and that the space is ventilated.
2. Prepare a 10% bleach solution in water.
3. Test the solution in an inconspicuous location first before applying over the entire fabric.
4. Apply the cleaning solution using a misting spray bottle.
5. Work the solution into the affected area by lightly scrubbing with a sponge or soft bristle brush. make sure to work from the outside of the stain inward so as not ot spread the stain. Rinse your sponge or brush frequently.
6. Allow cleaning solution to linger on the stain no more than 1 hour.
7. Rinse thoroughly to remove all residual bleach from the fabric.
8. Allow fabric to air dry.
9. Repeat process if necessary.
TEMPOTEST CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
Tempotest Home®
Tempotest Home® fabrics can be machine washed (up to 85°F) without losing their water- and stain-resistant properties, thanks to the use of Teflon® Extreme fabric protector. Wash using a mild laundry soap like Woolite, Ivory soap, or similar non-detergent based product.
Thanks to its extraordinary resistance to fading, the Tempotest Home® product line can also be washed with sodium hypochlorite (household chlorine bleach with a content of less than 5 percent sodium hypochlorite). This treatment is effective for removing stains such as coffee, wine, beer, juice, etc. It will not affect the fabric’s color fastness or stain and water resistance, if carried out according to the methods described below.
- If hand washing, use 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water as a pre-wash before proceeding with normal washing with a gentle soap (Woolite or Ivory soap). Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove the soap completely. Allow the fabric to dry in the shade.
- Ratio of bleach to water should always remain 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water.
- Do not use any kind of non-chlorine bleach as it can damage the appearance and characteristics of the fabric.
- Water temperature should not exceed 85°F.
- Avoid sewing threads and trims, unless you have confirmed they are bleach resistant.
- Avoid using detergents as they can, over time, strip away the water- and stain-resistant finish.
- If you notice a decrease in water repellency over time, the fabric can be sprayed with a 303 protectant or similar post-cure spray, which can be found at most marine stores, awning shops, and casual furniture retailers.
REVOLUTION OUTDOOR FABRIC CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
SUNBELIEVABLE OUTDOOR FABRIC CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
While all stains may not be completely removed, these guidelines are suggested for best results.
Method A
Use a water-based soap solution of 1 tablespoon laundry detergent per 2 cups warm water. Dampen the cleaning cloth and Gently Blot away the spill. Do not rub. Rotate the cleaning cloth often and rinse with water to ensure complete removal of all soap residue.
Method B
Use a mild solvent-based residential upholstery cleaner and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Method C
Mix 1/2 cup bleach, 2 TBS mild soap in a gallon of warm water. Dampen cleaning cloth with solution and blot away stain. Rinse thoroughly. Blot dry or allow to air dry.
MILLIKEN OUTDOOR COLLECTION CARE + CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
Milliken Outdoor Fabrics are engineered with durability and cleanability in mind. To keep your fabrics in pristine shape, we recommend brushing off or vacuuming any loose dirt and wiping up any stains or spills as soon as possible. The quicker a stain is cleaned, the easier it will be to remove.
For normal stains: Blot liquid spills with a dry cloth. Mix lukewarm water and a mild soap. Pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray on the stain. Avoid hard bristle brushes and heavy pressure rubbing as fibers can migrate and pill. Rinse the fabric with water and allow it to air-dry.
Oil-based spills should be removed by applying a solvent like cornstarch to the area and removing it with a straight edge. For stubborn and set-in stains: Cleaning approaches vary due to the furniture’s fabrication and manufacturing.
Please review the recommended cleaning instructions below for your application:
Handwashing removable cushion coverings: Mix a solution of one-fourth cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Place the fabric in the mixture to soak. We recommend a sponge or soft bristle brush to lightly loosen the stain. Thoroughly rinse the fabric. When all remaining residual soap is removed, allow the fabric to air-dry.
Machine-washing removable cushion coverings: Some removable cushion coverings can be machine-washed. Always refer to the furniture manufacturer’s cleaning suggestions before removing the casing as cushion constructions vary. To prepare for washing, make sure casing zippers are fully closed. Wash with a normal amount of mild laundry detergent in cold water on the delicate cycle. One cup of bleach can be added for mold or mildew. Allow the fabric to air-dry.
Cleaning non-removable fabric: Create a solution of one-fourth cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Use a soft bristle brush to clean, allowing the cleaning solution to soak into the fabric. Use a circular motion on the stain, concentrating on the edges of the stain and brushing inward. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue and allow the fabric to air-dry.
Seam-to-seam cleaning: When the stain is removed, seam-to-seam clean the entire upholstered piece. This method, coupled with an extractor, may be required to avoid water rings and residue.
For mold and mildew stains: Milliken Outdoor Fabrics contain acrylic fibers that are inherently mold and mildew resistant. However, if a foreign substance attaches to the fabric like, dirt or pollen, mold and mildew may grow on the fabric. Stain removal: Prepare a solution of one cup of bleach and one-fourth cup of mild soap per gallon of water. Pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray the entire area and allow the solution to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes. Clean the entire surface area with a sponge, clean towel or soft bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue and air-dry.
For severe mold or mildew growth, increase the amount of bleach in the solution. We recommend cleaning the entire surface area of the fabric to avoid water rings and residue. If all cleaning methods have been used but there is still residue, then a professional cleaning may be needed.
Additional care tips: Never dry-clean or use a steamer on fabrics. When machine-washing fabrics, they should always be airdried. If the fabric has wrinkles, then use an iron carefully on the synthetic heat setting; do not use the steam iron setting. As iron temperatures may vary, test a small inconspicuous area before ironing.
Fabric and Fiber Cleanability Bella-Dura is so versatile, it makes perfect sense for every environment. Basic Cleaning: By design, Bella-Dura fibers resist spills and absorption, so whether it’s betadine in a healthcare environment or wine in a restaurant or at home, Bella-Dura is easy to clean. For most spills, a simple solution of two parts water to one part dishwashing detergent (or another common household cleaner) will do. Gently clean the surface using a toothbrush or other soft bristled brush with swirling motions and then rinse thoroughly using clean water. Bleach Cleaning: Because Bella-Dura is a solution-dyed fabric, the fibers are bleach cleanable without risk of fading or harm, making even more challenging spills easy to treat. Quickly clean and disinfect using a diluted bleach solution. The recommended dilution is four parts water to one part bleach.
SOFT TO THE TOUCH, YET TOUGH TO THE CORE Bella Dura® HOME is so easy to clean, blotting or using a mild soap solution typically does the trick. CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS GENERAL Lightly brush off any excess debris. Prepare a cleaning solution of 1part soap to 10 parts water. Spray fabric with solution and use a sponge or soft bristle brush to clean, making sure that the fabric is completely soaked through. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow fabric to air dry. TOUGH STAINS Prepare a cleaning solution of 1part bleach to 4 parts water. Soak the entire trouble spot with the cleaning solution and scrub with a sponge or soft bristle brush until stain is removed. Apply more solution as necessary. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow fabric to air dry. If the problem area is severe, the amount of bleach in the solution may be increased as needed. LAUNDERING Wash on gentle cycle cold water; air dry. Do not expose to high heat. DO NOT DRY CLEAN, DO NOT STEAM, DO NOT IRON
After your patio cushions are fresh and clean, give them a quick spray with the fabric refresher of your choice. Gives your patio cushions a nice fresh smell.