How to clean outdoor cushions
To clean outdoor cushions, brush off loose dirt, then scrub with a solution of one teaspoon of mild dish soap per quart of warm water using a soft brush, rinse thoroughly with a hose, and let them air-dry fully. For mildew, add a splash of oxygen bleach — never chlorine bleach on colored fabric. Deep-clean two or three times a season.
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Step-by-step: routine cleaning
- Brush off loose debris. Take cushions outside and sweep away crumbs, pollen and cobwebs with a dry soft brush.
- Mix a gentle solution. One teaspoon of mild dish soap per quart (about one litre) of warm water.
- Scrub the fabric. Work the solution in with a soft-bristle brush over the whole surface so you don't leave clean patches.
- Rinse thoroughly. Hose off every trace of soap — leftover residue attracts dirt and can cause mildew.
- Air-dry completely. Stand cushions on edge in the sun until bone dry, inside and out, before putting them back.
Tougher problems: for mildew and mold, add oxygen bleach (not chlorine) to your solution, let it sit 15 minutes, scrub and rinse, then dry fully in sun. For grease and food, blot first, then a paste of baking soda and water lifts oils. For trapped water in the foam, stand the cushion on its edge and press it out — quick-dry foam drains far faster than closed-cell foam.
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Cleaning outdoor cushions — answered
What is the best cleaner for outdoor cushions?
A mild solution of one teaspoon of dish soap per quart of warm water works for most outdoor fabric. It's gentle on solution-dyed acrylics yet lifts everyday dirt. Avoid harsh detergents that strip the fabric's water-repellent finish.
Can I use bleach on outdoor cushions?
Use oxygen bleach for mildew on colored fabric. Chlorine bleach can fade or damage most outdoor fabrics, so only use it if the manufacturer specifically says the fabric is bleach-safe.
How do I get mildew and mold off cushions?
Add oxygen bleach to your soapy solution, let it sit about 15 minutes, scrub with a soft brush, rinse well and dry fully in direct sun. Drying completely is the key step, since mildew needs moisture to return.
Can I put outdoor cushion covers in the washing machine?
Only if the covers are removable and the care label allows it. Use cold water, mild detergent and air-dry — never tumble-dry, which can shrink the cover so it no longer fits the foam.
How often should I clean outdoor cushions?
Wipe spills right away, and deep-clean two or three times a season. Storing cushions out of the rain and drying them fully after cleaning greatly extends their life.
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