A dirty Sunbrella cushion about to be cleaned For about the last year, our patio furniture has been left outside under a large pine tree. The Sunbrella cushions were new last year, but when we looked at them today, they were covered in dirt, sap, bird poop, and food stains from the summer. All of this dirt and grime has been baked into the cushions from the sun and soaked in through the heavy rains of the winter. To say the least, we have some very dirty cushions. Today we decided to clean the cushions to see if we can salvage them and put them in our garage until summer. Sunbrella has pretty good instructions for cleaning the fabric. Create the cleaning agent for the fabric firstFor a heavy or very dirty cushion, in a small bucket mix One gallon of water 1 cup of Oxy Clean bleach (don't use chlorine bleach with Oxy Clean) 1/4 cup of dish soap Mix it together to form a soapy and sudsy cleaning formula. Using Oxy Clean got us much better results than regular bleach.
Use a firm brush with strong bristles for scrubbing the cushions Cleaning Sunbrella FabricIf possible, remove the cushion covers before cleaning. Brush some of the soapy water onto the Sunbrella fabric. Let it soak in and sit so the cleaning mixture can break down the dirt and stains. After fifteen minutes, dip the brush back in the cleaning solution and vigorously scrub the cushions. If the cushions aren't coming clean, spray the fabric with Woolite Oxy cleaning spray. After spraying, let the cushions sit for a few minutes and then scrub them with a bristly brush. Once the scrubbing is complete, rinse the cushions off with a hose and placed them in the garage to dry. Most of the dirt will come out easy. The stains caused from the sap will be mostly gone, but not completely. After the cushion has dried out, this is the same cushion in the first picture. It's now very clean and looks good enough to last through another season. After the cushions are clean and dried, spray them with Scotchguard
We have cleaned our cushions three times with this technique and they have lasted going on five years. The final step with Scotchguard helps protect them from the morning mist, water from sprinklers and rain. An Alternative Way to Clean Sunbrella CushionsI've just recently tried an alternative way to scrubbing them with a cleaning solution to clean them much more quickly. I simply took a power washer and sprayed them with a 30-degree nozzle. After the cushions are washed, place them on their side and dry them in the sun. Drying the cushions out took about three days. So, if you're going to want to use the cushions, plan ahead so they're dry!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.