Outdoor furniture adds a lot to your backyard aesthetically and functionally because they allow you to enjoy family and friends gatherings outdoors with the same comfort you have indoors.
But filthy outdoor cushions kill the excitement and comfort. Learn how to clean outdoor cushions with this guide.
Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Cushions
The materials and fabrics used for outdoor cushions generally differ from indoor cushions. Understandably, Even if your patio is roofed or screened, your outdoor cushions are constantly exposed to external factors like sunlight, rain, dust, wind, and more.
In addition to looking good and matching the outdoor environment, they hold up well to weather conditions, resist rust, and are more durable than indoor cushions. While some upholstery fabrics resist mold and mildew, many heavy outdoor materials are not designed to do so.
You first need to make sure that you buy the outdoor furniture and cushions that better suit your needs. However, you must be conscious that it doesn’t mean outdoor furniture doesn’t get stained.
Clean Outdoor Cushions with These 4 Basic Steps
The cleaning solution and process you would need to follow will depend significantly on the fabric. We also recommend looking at the manufacturer’s instructions to know if there are some cleaning chemicals you must avoid.
Learn how to clean outdoor cushions easily and quickly with these 4 simple steps:
- Remove the excess dust from the cushions
- Brush the dirt and stains
- Use a cleaning solution
- Let it dry
Remove The Dust
Cushions tend to accumulate dust. So, before adding water to the formula, first, make sure to dust off the pillow and remove pet hair and crumbs. Use a protective mask in case you are allergic. Confirm if your cushions can handle water, soap, or steam cleaning.
Brush The Dirt and Stains
Identify the stains and brush the dust or dirt using a soft bristle brush that will not compromise the fabric. Once you confirm water will not damage your cushions, you can use a damp towel or microfiber cloth on visible spots.
Use a Cleaning Solution
Choosing the wrong cleaning chemicals can cause more harm than good. There are some furniture polish and spray options in the market. If you are dealing with a particular type of fabric, make sure you find one specifically made for it.
If you are not dealing with such a delicate fabric, you can prepare your solution. You could prepare a mix of dish or laundry detergent with a gallon of warm water to remove more severe stains.
Another option is to use a cup of vinegar and cold water and leave it for 15 minutes. Avoid using bleach as much as possible. Consider using it only with mold and mildew stains.
Let It Air Dry
Cushions have a high absorption rate, so once cleaned, remove all the detergent and excess water, as residues can create stains.
Drying your cushions is also an important step. When your cushions don’t dry properly, they could be even more stained than before. We recommend you hang your outdoor cushions to let them air dry completely.
Tips to Remove Specific Types of Stains in Outdoor Cushions
If your cushions are not only filthy but also stained, first, you must identify the type of stain you are dealing with to remove it successfully. Otherwise, by using the wrong formula, you could end up causing more harm than good to your outdoor cushions.
Food and drinks stains: Cool water, soap, and a soft sponge can be enough to remove food stains on your cushions.
However, to deal with specific liquids like wine, the golden rule is to try to remove it as soon as you spill it. Otherwise, you could try to clear it by pouring salt or baking soda to prevent it from spreading on your cushion fabric.
Mold and mildew: First, scrub the stained areas with a brush. This action will help to reduce the mildew stains; however, it won’t make them disappear. Use white vinegar on the spots, leave it for around 15 minutes, and then rinse. You probably need to repeat the process for complete removal.
Pet urine stains: Our furry friends can often pee near couches for territorial marking or accidents. Urine not only can stain your cushion but also cause a nasty odor.
To remove this type of stain, start using paper towels to remove the excess urine. Then, spray the affected area with water and continue drying with paper towels. Be sure to extract all urine residue before washing with soap and water. Otherwise, the residue will mix with the soap, causing a peculiar odor.
Grass stains and other natural stains: Normally, outdoor cushions are more exposed to biological factors, like grass, fruits, flowers, bird waste, etc. We recommend using a soft brush to remove the excess residue to clean this. Then you can use warm water and liquid detergent.
If stains remain, consider rewashing the cushions and let them dry in the sun for an entire day. Sunlights are powerful when removing stains, especially in white fabrics.
Other Tips to Remove Stains
The first piece of advice we could give you is immediately removing food or liquid spills to prevent stains. If you are dealing with pet urine, you must wash it as soon as you find out to avoid foul odors. Vinegar and baking soda can also help with bad smells.
You could save yourself a lot of stress and time by using a washing machine instead of handwashing your cushions. However, if you are dealing with non-washable fabric, the safer way is to ask for professional assistance.
Consult Cleaning Professionals For a Successful Outdoor Cushions Cleaning
If you want to recover your filthy outdoor cushions, follow the steps and recommendations listed above. Don’t hesitate to consult our professional cleaners at Nidias Cleaning Services for further information.
Being cleaning specialists, we also know how to deal with upholstery stains. Our cleaning experts know how to deal with several cleaning needs and will carefully follow the proper procedures to clean your outdoor and indoor cushions.
Call us to get assistance on any of your cleaning needs!