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How To Get Mold Stains Out Of Patio Cushions

Should I Use Bleach To Clean Up Mold

How to Clean Musty Patio Furniture with OxiCleanâ¢Eliminating Tough Odors with OxiClean

The EPA recommends against using bleach to clean up mold, with the caveat that professional cleanup crews may use their judgment on a case-by-case basis. Sterilizing the affected area with bleach isnt that effective when there are mold spores in the air. If thats all thats done, then the spores will land and start growing again. Fixing the root problem will keep mold from sprouting in the first place.

Bleach also causes another problem for outdoor cushions most materials will fade in color and bleach can destroy foam.

Try the vinegar method first before reaching for bleach. Check the label to see if its bleach safe and dilute it! Use only ½ cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water.

And if the mold problem is so pervasive through cushions that you cant clean it through other methods, then it may be better to replace the items.


How To Remove Stains From Your Patio Cushions

One of the best benefits of buying new patio furniture is the ability to enjoy it fully. This furniture is designed to provide exceptional wear, whatever the elements. Even then, your furniture will need some cleaning and upkeep from time to time. Knowing how to clean your furniture is important to ensure you dont damage it further. At Paddy O Furniture, we want to ensure you have the tools and resources to do this safely.

Eliminating Mold And Mildew

As disgusting as they are, foul odors serve a vital evolutionary purpose in alerting us to unsavory and hazardous materials. Unsurprisingly, this is the case with patio furniture as well.

One of the most common causes of foul odors in patio cushions is a buildup of mold and mildew which, aside from their odiousness, can be hazardous to your health .

Theres no fancy trick to removing mold and mildew from your patio cushions you just have to clean it. However, you have quite a few options for how you clean the mess.

  • Combine water, dish detergent, and baking soda, and apply it to the cushions with light circular scrubbing motions.
  • Apply ammonia, which can be purchased or made with baking soda, vinegar, and water, to fight mold.
  • Use hydrogen peroxide, although this is recommended only for especially strong cases, and youll need to use a mask while working with it.
  • Use lighter cleaning agents such as lemon salt or a mild bleach.

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How To Clean Bird And Tree Droppings

With outdoor living, things happen in nature that sometimes become a mess. Be sure to remove any remnants of the mess to assess how bad the stain is. Spray the entire stain thoroughly with 303 Spot Cleaner and use a small brush to gently work the spot cleaner into the stain. Rinse thoroughly and let air dry.

Pro Tip: Once your cushions are clean, use 303 Fabric Guard to protect your cushions and make cleanup even easier next time!

How To Get That Musty Smell Out Of Patio Cushions

How To Get Mildew Out Of Upholstered Furniture

Have you ever sat down on your patio furniture that you bought last season only to be met with an unpleasant odor? No one wants to sit on a musty cushion, especially if theyre wearing a bikini! When you are met with that smell, it is definitely time to give your cushions some much needed tender love and care! There are a couple of simple steps you can take to make sure that your beloved patio furniture lasts.

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Know Your Furniture Before You Clean It

Start with knowing your furniture. The products you buy from us are high quality. The materials are outstanding. And if you own our Bliss cushions, then you know about our water-proof and stain-resistant fabrics and cushion design. Yet, the use of the wrong chemicals or treatment processes could damage your furniture more than a stain can. Thats why you should take a few minutes to check out our Care & Maintenance Guide. You can also find care instructions on most of the products we sell or just reach out to us for specific insight.

Tips On How To Prevent The Growth Of Mold On Your Furniture

  • Allow proper airflow damp places are the perfect spots for molds to grow. If there is no or minimal airflow, your cushion will be susceptible to mold growth. Start by ensuring that there is a positive airflow around. Get a dehumidifier to blow out hot air from the room. Your humidity level shouldnt exceed 55% during winter period.
  • Regular Exposure to sunlight Molds thrive in dark places. While you may like the position of your cushion outside, if there is minimal amount of sunlight reaching the cushion, molds will start to grow. The best thing to do is to adjust the position of your cushion to allow more sunlight to reach it.

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The Pressure Washer Method

If you have a pressure washer, this method is a super-effective way to clear out mold and mildew and restore your outdoor cushions to their original condition.

As long as you use your pressure washer properly, this method works on all types of cushions and fabrics.

For this method, you need a pressure washer and a large, open, and hazard-free space.


If you dont have a pressure washer, you can either buy, rent, borrow one, or skip this method entirely .

Tools and Materials:

  • Pressure washer cleaner, such as the Simple Green Total Outdoor Cleaner

Instructions:

  • Attach the pressure washer to an outside water source, and set the PSI to the lowest setting to avoid damaging the cushions.
  • Pour your cleaner into your pressure washer soap reservoir and attach the soap tip. If you can adjust it, put it in the low-pressure mode.
  • Keep your cushions attached to your furniture, or lay them flat on a dry surface such as your driveway.
  • Using water only, soak the cushions.
  • Then apply the cleaner. Move the pressure washer wand in horizontal, sweeping movements. The soap will buildup on the fabric, creating suds.
  • Leave for about three minutes so the soap can penetrate the fabric. But dont let the soap dry.
  • Use the brush to scrub any mold and mildew affected areas.
  • Using the 40° tip, rinse the cushions with water, removing all soap residue.
  • Press and gently wring out the cushions to remove excess water and air dry in a sunny spot.
  • How To Remove Mold & Mildew

    How to Easily Clean Patio Cushions

    While some fabrics like solution-dyed acrylic dont promote mold and mildew growth, it still might show up on dirt and other foreign substances that arent removed from the fabric. If you see grime on your cushions, follow these simple steps, and youll have your all-weather outdoor cushions looking as good as new.

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    How To Clean Outdoor Furniture Cushions

    Just like any indoor furniture, garden furniture cushions also need special care. Although their fabric is more resistant to damage, UV rays and moisture, without regular cleaning and with constant exposure to the weather conditions, their protective coating can fade.

    Summer gatherings and BBQ parties can leave their mark on the cushions fabric, too. Normally in the form of nasty and stubborn stains that can permanently change the look of your beautiful patio furniture. Deep cleaning the outdoor cushions seems challenging because of the specifics of the material, but you can still get the desired results in no time. How? Just keep reading on!

    Here You Will Learn:

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    Getting Out Pet Stains

    We all love our cats and dogs, butwe dont always love what they do to our furniture. If your patiofurniture odor problems stem from your cat or dog leaving fur on the cushions, youll want to look forspecially-formulated pet cleaning agents. Be sure that any cleaningagent is safe to use on your cushions, and that they are speciallyformulated to not just remove stains but fight pet odors as well.


    Dont letfoul smells ruin your cushions or your summer afternoons entertainingguests. Find the right cleaning agent and method for keeping yourcushions fresh and odor-free.

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    Ways To Clean Your Outdoor Cushions

    Your outdoor cushions go through a lot from getting crammed into storage during the changing seasons, to accidentally being left out in the rain, to getting food and drinks spilled on them during a backyard barbecue. To make sure they last and continue to look good, keeping them clean is key. While a frequent good hosing off with just water will work wonders, sometimes its not enough. Here are five ways to get those stubborn stains off your outdoor cushions.

    The White Vinegar Method

    How To Get Mildew Off Patio Cushions

    The White Vinegar Method is a non-toxic and eco-friendly way to clean outdoor cushions of any fabric.

    You can use distilled white vinegar for many tasks around the house, and one of those tasksyou guessed itis removing mold and mildew from outdoor cushions.


    However, this might not be the ideal method if your outdoor cushions are severely affected by mold or mildew. In that case, go with a more rigorous technique to get a deeper cleaning, such as the pressure washer or bleach methods.

    Tools and Materials:

    • Water

    Instructions:

  • If the cushion covers are removable, toss them into the washing machine and add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser. White vinegar is acidic and can kill up to 82% of mold. Plus, it helps to prevent further mold outbreaks.If you dont have removable cushion covers, continue with the next steps.
  • Fill a spray bottle with distilled white vinegar.
  • Spray it all over the cushions on both sides.
  • Allow the vinegar to sit for 10 minutes.
  • Mix three cups of warm water with one tablespoon of dish soap. Stir to dissolve.
  • Soak a sponge in the mixture before scrubbing the cushions on both sides.
  • Rinse the cushions with a clean damp cloth.
  • Air out the cushions in a sunny spot until completely dry.
  • Spray the white vinegar onto the cushions again to prevent further mold and mildew outbreaks.
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    How To Clean Mold Off Outdoor Furniture Cushions

    Outdoor cushions and fabric accents bring a bit of indoor comfort to outdoor spaces, but these materials can be prone to mold and mildew. Its important to invest in cushions and fabric that are not just easy to clean but engineered to resist water, mold, and mildew from the start, says Sarah Dooley, director of upholstery at Sunbrella.

    Check the fabric or cushion manufacturers website for recommendations specific to their product. Bleach will harm the color of some fabrics, but others, like Sunbrella fabrics, are engineered to not discolor. Test the underside of a cushion before cleaning to determine if bleach will not harm the fabric.

    Mix bleach and water according to the bleach manufacturers instructions. Spray onto the fabric surface or use a cloth to wipe the mixture onto the fabric. Let the bleach stand on the fabric for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. To avoid water rings, clean the entire surface area of the fabric. Some outdoor cushions come with removable covers that can be laundered in your washing machine. Spot-treat as needed before washing according to the furniture manufacturer’s instructions.

    Can Patio Cushions Be Machine Washed

    If your cushions have zips, the covers can mostly likely be machine washed. However, if your seat cushions are tightly fit like ours are, I donât recommend doing this option as thereâs a good possibility of the zips eventually breaking.

    Our back cushions are soft and easy to unzip and remove the inner cushion, so I do machine wash those one.

    If you can machine wash, then definitely do. Itâs the easiest of all the cleaning options! I do this with my living room couch cushions, too!

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    How To Protect Outdoor Cushions

    • Remove dust: Dry brushing patio cushions and outdoor seat cushions regularly will help remove dust and debris brought by the wind. You can even vacuum your patio cushions to make this quicker.
    • Clean before you store: As tempting as it is to chuck them in the garage as they are when it starts raining, clean them as above first as they will store much better.
    • Speed up drying time: We’re only human and outdoor cushions will get caught in the rain a few times a year so flip yours on its most narrow edge to speed up drying time between downpours.
    • Catch spills quickly: French fry landed on your patio cushion? Blot blot blot, soak the oil up with corn flour or salt until completely removed, wash the area clean and let it dry so no stain sets.

    Sweeping And Spraying The Smell Away

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    Maybe youve already tried this and it was less than effective. What now? Youll now need to try to get the stain and smell out of your cushions by sweeping them off and washing them down.

    Sweeping away debris and pollutants is actually quite easy. Simply take a handheld broom and start sweeping away whatever debris you find. The only trick is to do this on a regular basis.

    After sweeping, consider spraying your patio cushions with a light spritz of a scented cleaning agent. You do not want to go overboard with this, as this can lead to odor problems of a different kind. Personally, I cannot stand the smell of harsh chemicals. To each their own!

    Still, this simple two-part process of sweeping and spraying your cushions can go a long way towards combating bad odors caused by exposure to dirt, insects, and the outdoors in general.

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    What Is The Best Way To Clean Outdoor Furniture Cushions

    Outdoor cushions, individual or on patio furniture, aren’t always like regular cushions you’ll find in your home, since many will have been treated with UV-protective and other weather-resistant coatings especially if yours came as part of a patio set.

    Before you start any cleaning or washing, check the labels for any information on how the manufacturer recommends you best clean your items.

    How To Clean Mold Off Plastic Outdoor Furniture

    To tackle mildew on plastic patio furniture, use a cleaning product designed for removing mold . Be sure to read the label to ensure it is safe to use on plastic and follow all application instructions and safety guidelines.

    You can also turn to vinegar to clean mold on plastic outdoor furniture. Spray white distilled vinegar onto the mold and let it sit for an hour. Rinse with warm clean water and follow up with a second application of vinegar. Let the vinegar dry without rinsing it away.

    Bleach can etch white plastic outdoor furniture. For other plastic furniture colors, test bleach on a hidden spot to ensure it wont discolor or harm the material. Once confirmed, apply the bleach mixture noted above.

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    Vacuum Up Loose Debris

    Using the upholstery attachment, vacuum over the surface of the cushion to remove loose dirt, dust, and debris. Pay special attention to seams and crevices that could hide dirt, and be careful around buttons or other decorative elements. You can also use a soft-bristled brush to gently brush away grime.

    Can I Fix My Cushions If Theyre Faded

    How to Clean Patio Cushions

    Most outdoor cushions and pillows made of durable fabrics are UV resistant. But no matter how tough the fabric is, it can fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight. Unfortunately, theres not much you can do about it once the material starts to fade.

    There are a few ways to increase the color lifespan of your cushions for at least five years. When not in use, bring your cushions inside, place them in a storage bag, or put them in the shade. If you have some pillows that are always exposed to the sun and others that are in the shade, rotate them around to equalize their sun exposure.

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    S For Removing Mold And Mildew

  • Use a dry cloth to remove as much mold and mildew as possible. Afterward, vacuum or shake your cushions to remove any remaining debris.
  • Mix one cup of Borax into four cups of warm water. You can also try hydrogen peroxide instead of Borax.
  • With a spray bottle or sponge, generously apply the solution to the cushion.
  • Allow the solution to soak for 1530 minutes.
  • Use a microfiber cloth to blot out the stain.
  • Use a garden hose rinse off all the solution.
  • Allow your cushion to air dry. Put the cushion on its side for quicker drying.
  • How To Clean Grease And Oil Stains

    Cushions that are used by the pool are more likely to get oil-based stains from sunscreen and lotions. Do not try to wipe off the oil or grease stain, as this could cause it to spread. By applying cornstarch to the stain, it acts as an absorbent pulling the oil out of the fabric. After letting the cornstarch sit, vacuum or scrape it off with a straight edge. Clean up any remaining stain with dishwashing liquid and water.

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    How To Wash Outdoor Cushions

    For items that can go in the washer, once the pretreating is complete, use a heavy-duty detergent and cold or warm water . Do not place the fabric in a hot dryer because that may cause shrinkage. Allow the pieces to air dry. Use a cool to medium iron to smooth wrinkles if needed.

    For items like large pillows or umbrella covers that cannot be placed in a washer, choose a sunny, warm day to do the cleaning. Spread the piece out on a patio or plastic tarp and get ready to apply some elbow grease.

    Mix a solution of heavy-duty detergent and warm water. Using a soft scrub brush, work from the top to the bottom of a piece scrubbing a small section at a time. Rinse away soil after each section is cleaned. Do not allow the detergent solution to dry on the fabric. When the entire piece is cleaned, rinse well.

    Spread the fabric or pillows in the sun to dry. If possible, hang from a clothesline to allow the water to drip and drain away. It may take a couple of days for thick items to dry so plan for hot, sunny weather to avoid mildew problems.


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