Your patio furniture cushions and pillows are going to get dirty, that’s just a fact. The real question is, how do you clean them? Just because they’re always outside doesn’t mean they always have to be dirty.
All-weather fabric that is commonly found on outdoor cushions and pillows can be a little tricky, so it’s important to take the time to clean them correctly. We put together some tips so you can quickly and easily clean your patio cushions, pillows, and rugs.
Supplies Needed:
- Vacuum
- Dishwashing soap
- Sponge
- Vinegar (optional)
Patio Furniture Cushions and Pillows
1. Check the tag
The first step you’ll want to take is checking the tag for washing instructions. If there’s information about washing your pillow and cushion covers right on the tag, you can stop reading right now! Most instructions will tell you to wash on a gentle cycle and let air dry. If that’s not the case, keep on reading.
2. Vacuum
Next, you’ll want to vacuum your patio furniture cushions and pillows. This may sound a little funky, but a quick pass over with a vacuum will help remove any excess dirt and grime. This will make your life a little easier when it comes to scrubbing your pillows.
3. Mix your soap/water
We don’t recommend adding dishwashing soap directly to your pillows, it shouldn’t need to be applied directly. We recommend mixing a quarter cup of dishwashing soap with about a gallon of water and mixing thoroughly.
4. Scrub your cushions and pillows!
Start scrubbing, and don’t be shy! You’ll want to generously coat your cushions and pillows with your soap mixture. Feel free to go a little crazy with the sponge dunking and scrubbing. Wax on wax off, whatever floats your boat. The goal is to saturate the material and then once saturated, let sit for about 15 minutes.
5. Rinse
Once 15 minutes has elapsed, grab a garden hose or your preferred method of rinsing clean the soap mixture off your cushions and pillows. You’ll want to make sure that all the soap is rinsed off.
6. Dry
Give the material a light towel dry and then let air dry in the sun until completely dry. Drying in the sun is recommended to avoid any potential mildew.
If you’re dealing with a particularly tough stain, apply a 50/50 mix of vinegar to the stain, scrub, rinse, and dry.
Cleaning an Outdoor Rug
Cleaning an outdoor rug is a similar task with just a few smaller differences. One of the best ways to prevent having to clean your rug is by shaking out the dirt that settles into it every once in a while. The longer you leave it sitting with dirt and grime on it, the more likely you’ll find mold and mildew start to accumulate.
When it comes to cleaning, a similar mix of dishwashing soap and water will do the trick. If there are any serious stains on the rug, don’t scrub, that will only make the stain worse. Try blotting with salt, dishwashing soap, and shaving cream to remove the stain.
Once you’re satisfied with the cleanliness of your rug, let it dry in sunlight to prevent mold and mildew.