How To's & Quick Tips > How To: Clean Patio Cushions Now's the time to freshen up your outdoor seating before the season kicks into full swing. While most cushions can't be tossed directly into the washing machine, you can get the job done without even moving them from your porch or patio! Read on for the how-to. When it comes time to spiff up your porch or patio for spring, cleaning your furniture cushions ranks high on the to-do list—particularly if those cushions have been out in the elements all winter long. All that exposure to moisture doesn’t bode well for these comfy pieces when it comes to mildew potential. Fortunately, many cushions are designed with removable covers that can be slipped off and thrown into the washing machine on gentle cycle. (Thank goodness for zippered slipcovers!) But even if yours don’t have removable covers, you can still get your cushions clean in preparation for a summer of outdoor fun—just follow these simple steps. - Fabric protector spray
Pile up your outdoor pillows! Unzip cases wherever possible and run them through the wash following the instructions on the tags, then turn your attention to the cushions. Remove any loose dirt and dust from them using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum. If your cushions are tufted, be sure to run the attachment carefully over the crevices, seams, and any buttons. Next, mix 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in a bucket of warm water. If your cushions have mildew on them, add 1/4 cup of borax to the solution as well. Generously sponge the sudsy solution onto your cushions, and let them soak for 15 minutes. Still see stubborn dirty spots after soaking? Apply more of the cleaning solution, then gently rub out the spots with a scrub brush. Thoroughly rinse the cushions off with the garden hose. (Don’t use a pressure washer for the task, as it may damage the fabric.) Wrap a towel around the cushion to blot up the majority of the water, and then stand the cushion up on end to air-dry completely.
Make sure no moisture remains, otherwise you’ll find yourself facing a regrowth of mildew. Pull out the blow dryer, if you need to! Once your cushions are dry, spray them with a fabric protector to help them resist dirt and stains from such summery things as spilled fruit punch and dripping popsicles. Taking this step now will make it much easier to keep those cushions clean the rest of the summer! Getting your outdoor space ready for the season can be a lot of work, but it’s well worth the effort. Once you’re finished, you can sit back and relax with friends and family, enjoy a summer smoothie or some barbecue, and wait for the twinkling fireflies to appear.When choosing fabric for outdoor cushions the first thing to consider is whether or not the cushions will be exposed to the elements. Even patio furniture and cushions that are under an awning are still subject to the winds, moisture, and extremes in hot and cold of the outdoors. As such, it's smart to choose a fabric that's water resistant, or waterproof, regardless of its specific placement .
Look for fade resistant fabrics too so that the sun and rain don't damage your cushions. Designer fabrics like Outdura, Sunbrela, and Robert Allen are of course one option, but if you want more choices, understanding the types of fabrics that are suited to the outdoors will open up your options considerably. Remember, don't just focus on the outer material for cushions. Make sure your pillow inserts have a polypropylene cover, and that the filling is 100% waterproof as well. Canvas is a plain woven fabric. Traditionally, outdoor weave material like this was made with hemp, but the modern go-to is cotton. Cotton canvas is a heavy duty fabric, is relatively inexpensive, and is used in many outdoor applications. It's hard-wearing and dyes easily. Canvas is also available in pre-dyed solid colors and prints. Another bonus to cotton is that blank canvas can be painted with fabric paint if you want to create your own fabric designs and give your outdoor space more of a personal touch.
Don't forget to treat cotton blend fabrics with Scotchgard or a similar protective coating before using. Duck cloth is similar to canvas. The biggest difference between the two is that duck cloth has a tighter weave. Duck cloth is also known as duck canvas, cloth duck, and duck. It's texture is a bit smoother than cotton canvas. As with cotton canvas, duck cloth can be purchased in different weights, depending on the usage. However, it's slightly more expensive than cotton canvas and is more difficult to paint and customize. So, if you like the feel of cotton but want something a little sturdier, duck might be for you. However, if you're more partial to adding your own designs and flair to your material, cotton is probably the better option. Textilene fabric is woven polyester with a PVC coating. Used for sling seating, sun shades, and outdoor furniture, it is waterproof and fade resistant. In addition to those two ideal attributes, it's also mold resistant and flame retardant.
Textilene is found at hardware stores and can be purchased by the yard. Textilene mesh, as it is sometimes called, is clearly suited to the outdoors in terms of functionality and durability, but it does have a distinct polyester, plastic-y feel. So, if comfort is a bigger priority for you, do some touch tests before purchasing your roll of fabric. Also known as polypropylene, olefin fiber is a synthetic fiber. Olefin is ideal to use for cushion inserts, as well as for cushion covers. It can easily stand up to mold, heat, sun, and wet weather. Olefin is so hardy that it's often considered a plastic fabric. Polyvinyl chloride, PVC, or vinyl, is hardy and easy to clean. Vinyl was first used in the 1920's and is said to be the second most popular plastic in production today. While its impact on the environment and on health has been a subject of debate for decades, vinyl is recyclable. Once again though, there is a distinct plastic feel to it, so perhaps limit vinyl to pillows or backings as opposed to parts of your cushions that will have heavy contact directly with the skin.
Especially in warm weather, sweat and plastic can be a sticky and unpleasant combination. Curtain fabric is available especially for the outdoors. Curtain fabric is found in sheer fabric and also heavy fabric. Make some cushions with heavier fabric and some with lighter fabric for a softer, textured look for scattered cushions. Curtains can be an economical option for making outdoor cushions, and they are available in a variety of colors and styles. Shower curtains are water resistant and in some cases even waterproof. They come in many varieties and are usually on sale somewhere. Depending on how large you want your cushions to be, one curtain should be plenty for two medium sized cushions. Outdoor cushions can be made for less than $20 a pair using shower curtains. Any of these materials will get the job done. The decision is more a matter of your preference for comfort and style. Regardless of what option you go with, remember that regular maintenance will also extend the life of your cushions more than anything else.