4 Most Effective Ways to Clean Patio Cushions

Your patio cushions have most likely spent the winter outdoor, crammed into storage, or exposed to certain elements of nature. If you are like me, chances are you’ve probably placed them away with a drop of ketchup that has been cracked and dried. 

Now what you want to do is get those patio cushions ready for another season of poolside and barbecues lounging. But how?

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Well, you don’t need to worry because we will be guiding you on how to effectively clean your patio cushions. So, stay tuned! 

Step by Step Patio Cleaning Process

For the most part, cleaning your patio cushions will mostly depend on what kind of stain you’re going to get rid of, and of course what kind of fabric your patio cushions are made of.

You see, most patio cushions have been treated with some particular coatings to protect them from unnecessary moist and UV rays, and that’s why it’s crucial to check first any cleaning guidelines found on your patio cushions so you’ll be aware of certain cleaning restrictions and instructions.

After knowing your patio cushion’s respective cleaning guidelines, you should proceed on gathering the necessary tools for cleaning. 

Tools and Equipment for Cleaning Your Patio Cushions

Knowing what are the necessary tools for your cleaning patio cushions is crucial if you want to finish the task much faster. The catch is that, if you’ve got the required tools at hand, you won’t be wasting so much time on seeking what tool is needed for a particular time.

Well, here are the tools and equipment you need:

• Fabric Protector Spray
• Towels
• Garden Hose
• Scrub Brush
• Sponge
• Borax
• Dishwashing Liquid
• Warm Water
• Bucket
• Vacuum

Reminder When Bleaching!

Only use bleach sparingly and when certain stains don’t react to milder approaches. Why you don’t really want to bleach your patio cushions is because bleach tend to alter colors on patterned cushions and significantly weaken their fabric fibers. 

In addition, you should be aware of the environment around your cleaning area particularly if you’re using bleach as it can deliver hazardous effects on the surrounding water and soil. 

If you really want to resort to bleach, it may be needed to re-apply a fabric guard product which follows a thorough cleaning.

Getting Rid of Persistent Mildew or Stains

Enhance your arsenal with a stronger solution of 1 gallon of water, ¼ cup clear of liquid detergent, and 1 cup of chlorine bleach. Saturate those stained spots with this solution and brush using a soft bristle brush. 

Allow the solution to soak for at least twenty minutes then rinse using  a high-pressure hose to perfectly get rid of excess detergent and bleach. After a thorough rinsing, air-dry the cushions. By doing this process, you’ll be able to effectively store your patio cushions and will ensure a hassle-free start when spring comes.

Now, as for those who have non-removable patio cushion covers, simply sponge their surfaces with a solution of 1 gallon of lukewarm water along with a ¼ cup of clear liquid detergent. Apply the solution’s bubbles into the patio cushions using the sponge then thoroughly rinse using a high-pressure garden hose in order to get rid of excess detergent.

Set the non-removable patio cushion covers, and air-dry.

And lastly, for people who want to wash their patio cushions using a washing machine, just set the water temperature on cool and just put a right amount of laundry detergent, add a cup of chlorine bleach, run the machine, rinse thoroughly, and then air-dry the cushions.

Learn What’s Preventive Maintenance

The most convenient way of avoiding complex cleaning tasks is to maintain your patio cushions clean every day. Frequent brushings of your patio cushion’s surfaces using a whiskbroom can significantly cut down on stains from plant debris and insects.

When your patio cushions get damped by an unexpected shower, you should turn them on edge to significantly improve their drying rate. On the other hand, if there’s an accidental spill, just absorb it up immediately with a clean rag or paper towel. 

You should also keep a spray bottle on your side that has a solution of 1 tablespoon of borax, 1 teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid soap, and 4 cups of water. 

When persistent stains appear, just spray it with the solution and allow it to soak for about fifteen minutes then just rinse with cool water to get rid of any soap residue. And lastly, air-dry them. 

Two Popular Treatments for Patio Cushions

Treating Bird Droppings

Get rid of as much bird droppings as possible using a microfiber cloth. Just prepare a cleaning solution of 1 quart of warm water, 1 teaspoon of Borax, and 1 teaspoon of mild dish soap. 

Store it in a spray container and spray the solution on the stain. Get a soft bristle brush to clean and also letting the solution to soak into the cushion. 

Afterwards, rinse thoroughly with clean water to get rid of soap residues then air dry the item.

Treating Oil Stains

Certain oils such as from bug sprays, foods, and even sunscreens can usually get onto your patio cushions. To start with, just soak up any excess oil using a cloth then put an absorbent powder like cornstarch to the stain. 

Let the powder to get absorbed by the fabric for about 15 minutes then scrape the hardened powder with a straight edge. Repeat as necessary. 

Remove the stain with a regular cleaning solution and rinse well using a clean cloth. And lastly, let it to air-dry.

Conclusion

As for the last part, if you want to keep your patio cushions looking like new then just make sure to dry brush them frequently, reduce prolonged moisture exposure, clean up spills immediately, and don’t forget to rotate your patio cushions if you’ve got ones that are always under the sun and others that are not. Rotate them regularly in order to equalize the exposure to sun.

Now when it comes to storing your patio cushions make sure to see if there are any food spills or stains because if you let these stains slide during winter, they’ll be harder to get rid of and could potentially lure bugs. In addition, make sure that the patio cushions are very dry before you place them off to storage to preclude any mildew or mold. 

On a side note, if you’re looking for some patio decorating ideas on a budget, then this post is what you’re looking for.

Please feel free to comment down any thoughts or feedback you have with our topic today to help the community.

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