Guide
How to clean outdoor cushions
Cleaning outdoor cushions means brushing off loose dirt, washing the fabric with mild soap and water, rinsing out every trace of soap and letting the cushion dry completely. Drying is the step that matters most, because mildew needs moisture.
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Everyday dirt and pollen | Brush, wash with mild soap and water, rinse, dry fully |
| Fresh spill | Blot straight away, working from the outside of the spot towards the middle |
| Mildew spots on the fabric | Wash, then treat as the care label allows (see bleach below); dry fully |
| Mold inside the foam core | Replace the foam insert |
| Water trapped in the foam | Stand the cushion on its edge, press the water out, let it dry |
How do I clean outdoor cushions step by step?
- Brush off loose dirt with a dry, soft brush.
- Wash with mild soap and warm water, working a soft brush over the whole panel from seam to seam so you do not leave clean patches or water rings.
- Rinse thoroughly. Leftover soap attracts dirt and can feed mildew.
- Dry completely. Stand the cushion on its edge until it is dry inside and out, away from heaters and open flames.
How do I get mildew and mold off outdoor cushions?
Wash the fabric with detergent and water and let it dry completely; the US EPA gives the same advice for mold on hard surfaces. If mold has grown into the foam core, replace the insert: the EPA notes that porous materials may have to be thrown away once they are moldy, because mold fills their small spaces.
Foamera makes replacement cushions to the size you enter, with the foam inside a new cover; the cushion inserts collection lists the shapes. For foam without a cover, email hello@foamera.com before you order.
Can I use bleach on outdoor cushions?
Use bleach only when the fabric's care label allows it. For clothing, the US Federal Trade Commission's care labeling rule sets the wording: "Only non-chlorine bleach, when needed" when chlorine bleach would harm the fabric, and "No bleach" or "Do not bleach" when every bleach would harm it. For mildew on coloured fabric, oxygen (non-chlorine) bleach is the gentler choice; do not use chlorine bleach unless the fabric maker says the fabric is bleach-safe.
Can outdoor cushion covers go in the washing machine?
Only if the cover is removable and its care note allows machine washing; use a cold, gentle cycle. Do not tumble-dry the cover, and never put the foam core in the machine. The cushion care guide has the full part-by-part table.
What should I read next?
- Cushion care guide — covers, foam and cleaning codes
- How to store outdoor cushions over winter
- Outdoor cushions — made to your measurements
- Custom patio cushions
- Round outdoor cushions
How we know
Care and ordering details on this page come from Foamera's own product pages and care notes. General cleaning facts are linked to the organisations that publish them:
- US EPA, "Mold Cleanup in Your Home" (accessed September 26, 2026)
- US Federal Trade Commission, "Clothes Captioning: Complying with the Care Labeling Rule" (accessed September 26, 2026)
- Association for Contract Textiles, "Cleaning Resources & Considerations" (appendix: cleaning codes W, S, WS, X) (accessed September 26, 2026)
- Polyurethane Foam Association, InTouch bulletin "Proper Handling and Storage of Flexible Polyurethane Foam" (accessed September 26, 2026)