How to Clean Outdoor Cushions: A Comprehensive Guide by Zerorez
Outdoor living spaces are extensions of our homes, offering a perfect spot to relax and entertain. Keeping outdoor cushions clean not only enhances the comfort and aesthetics of your space but also extends the lifespan of the materials. Here's a detailed guide on how to properly care for your outdoor cushions.
Understanding Outdoor Cushion Materials
Outdoor cushions are made from various materials, each with unique properties and cleaning needs:
Polyester: Highly durable and quick-drying, often treated for UV protection.
Nylon: Exceptionally strong, resistant to mildew, and has good resilience.
Acrylic: Known for its ability to mimic natural fibers with added stain and water resistance.
Linen: Offers a natural look but is less resistant to mold and mildew without treatment.
Each material requires specific care to avoid damage and ensure that cushions remain vibrant and durable under the elements. Outdoor furniture takes on much more wear than its indoor counterparts, so knowing how to shop for the right material can help you keep it in good condition.
Preparing for Cleaning Cushions
There are some outdoor furniture pieces that come with removable cushions and some that do not. So your first step is to identify what you are working with: removable or not. Before diving into cleaning:
Inspect Cushions: Check for any stains or damage to determine the appropriate cleaning method.
Remove Debris: Use a soft-bristled brush or a handheld vacuum to clear any loose dirt.
Protect the Area: Lay down a drop cloth or old sheets to catch any runoff from cleaning solutions to protect your deck or patio.
Cleaning Methods for Outdoor Cushions
Create Your Own Mild Detergent: Soap and other harsh chemicals often leave a sticky, crunchy residue behind, especially when performing DIY cleaning treatments. These store-bought mild detergents often cause more harm than good in the long run.
Instead, we recommend that you mix 3:1 parts warm water with distilled white vinegar and a tablespoon of baking soda for good measure. Once it's in a spray bottle, you can spray it down and use a soft brush to scrub the fabric. This method is safe for most materials and effective for regular maintenance.
Pressure Washer Caution: If using a power washer, keep it at a safe distance, use a gentle setting, and never hold the nozzle too close to the cushion. Be sure to check any tags on your furniture beforehand to determine if they can handle the intense water pressure.
Watch Out for "Specialized Cleaners": It's common for people to see something advertised as an outdoor furniture cleaner and use it, only to find that it has left their cushion covers with discoloration. Many store-bought cleaning solutions use bleach and alcohol that can strip color from your furniture. Avoid spot-cleaning cushions with anything that contains harsh chemicals to avoid causing permanent damage.
Removing Tough Stains from Outdoor Cushions
Stains from food, drink, and outdoor elements can be persistent. The first step is to try and identify the type of stain you are working with. We often see food and drink spills, grass and mud, and grease or oil stains.
Natural Solutions: A mix of water and vinegar can tackle mold and mildew effectively.
Blotting Techniques: For oil-based stains, apply a baking soda paste before washing to absorb the grease.
Ultimately, when a stain persists or your cushion covers are in need of a refresh, the best tool in your arsenal is your local Zerorez. With advanced cleaning technology, we are able to treat even the most stubborn stains in hopes of returning your outdoor cushions to their former glory.
Drying and Maintaining Outdoor Cushions
Proper drying and ongoing care are crucial, whether you clean it yourself or you partner with Zerorez. Because mold and mildew can grow so quickly on outdoor furniture, it's best to clean them on a warm, sunny day to get them dry.
Air Drying: Ensure cushions are thoroughly dried in the sun to prevent mildew. You can lay them flat and flip them over, or you can try standing them up against a wall.
Waterproofing Treatments: Apply treatments to repel water and protect the fabric from stains.
Once that's done, be sure to keep a close eye on your patio chair cushions or whatever outdoor furniture you have. Inspecting them regularly allows you to keep them on a cleaning cycle and prevent the buildup of dirt and debris.
How Do You Clean Outdoor Cushions Without Removable Covers?
As we mentioned before, creating your own solution of water, white vinegar, and baking soda is a great way to maintain your outdoor fabrics between professional cleaning services. However, cushions without removable covers are often more challenging to clean because of the hard-to-reach cracks and crevices.
Your patio furniture could use the help of the experts at Zerorez. With our gentle yet effective cleaning methods, we are able to flush out the dirt and grime, vacuuming it up as we go. This ensures that All We Leave is Clean®. Spraying your cleaning solution on your cushion covers isn't going to give them the deep clean that they need.
Additionally, Zerorez offers faster dry times than other cleaning companies, thanks to our innovative cleaning method. That means that you not only get back to enjoying your patio furniture sooner, but that you don't have to worry as much about mold or mildew growing after a cleaning service.
Tips for Cleaning Specific Outdoor Cushion Types and Protective Measures:
Foam Inserts: Cleaning outdoor cushions with foam inserts requires gentle scrubbing and rinsing to prevent damage to the foam.
Down Fillings: Cleaning outdoor cushions with down or feather filling requires special care to prevent the filling from becoming wet and flat.
Mesh Materials: Cleaning outdoor cushions with mesh or breathable materials requires a gentle cleaning solution and a soft-bristled brush to prevent damage to the mesh.
Proper Storage: Using storage bags or covers can protect outdoor cushions from dust and debris when not in use.
Utilizing Covers: Using furniture covers or throws can protect outdoor cushions from the elements and extend their lifespan.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Outdoor Cushions
We see mishaps all too often, resulting in people having to buy brand-new furniture. Avoid these common mistakes to make your patio furniture last:
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: These can degrade fabric fibers and cause environmental harm.
Avoid High-Pressure Washers: Excessive water can damage the cushions and push dirt even deeper into the outdoor fabrics if you aren't careful.
Proper Drying: Always dry cushions completely to avoid mold and mildew formation.
The Importance of Regular Cleaning for Outdoor Cushion Covers
Your outdoor space is meant to be your own private escape. To keep it that way, you have to keep up with the demands of your outdoor furniture.
Regular cleaning can extend the life of your outdoor cushion covers by preventing the buildup of dirt and debris, and cleaning outdoor cushion covers without removable covers requires gentle scrubbing and rinsing every week or every other week to prevent damage to the fabric.
Keeping your patio furniture covered under tarps or other protective materials can aid in protecting against damage, but for the days when you just can't bring yourself to put the covers on, it's important to know who to call for cleanup duty.
Zerorez can help clean your patio furniture and even your outdoor rugs so your backyard oasis stays intact. Schedule a routine clean every 6-18 months to help extend the life of your outdoor fabrics and keep your outdoor space looking and feeling its best.
