How To Clean Mold Off Patio Cushions

September 16, 2021

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Making Food Stains Go Away

Shocking Transformation of a Chair Being Cleaned, How to Clean Patio Furniture. Mold Algae Gone!

Having a snack out in the garden is a real pleasure until some of it gets on the furnitures covering. No need to worry too much! While greasy stains are very stubborn once they penetrate deeper, you can prevent soiling with a simple trick:

As soon as you notice the stain, generously apply salt on it until its fully covered.
Leave it there for 5-10 minutes until the crystals absorb the greasy substance.
Brush the salt off and clean with warm water and soap.
If you have a product specifically for stains, you can add a little bit, too.
Wash and leave to dry.

How To Clean Outdoor Cushion Covers That Dont Come Off

When you dont have the convenience of removable covers, plan on working outside. Youll need the following supplies.

Vacuum with upholstery attachment
Garden hose and sprayer
Clean towels

Before cleaning patio cushions that dont come off, move pieces located over grassy areas onto concrete or paved surfaces. Otherwise, washing and rinsing over open ground can create a muddy mess.

1. Thoroughly Vacuum Cushions

A shop vac speeds up this first step, but be sure to use its upholstery attachment. As the vacuum pulls up loose dirt and debris, be careful around trim and seams.

Power Tip: A soft-bristled brush works well on sweeping out deep seams around cushions.

2. Wet and Wipe

Wet down outdoor cushions with clean towels and a mixture of liquid dish detergent and warm water. Work the solution into the material, and then let it set for five minutes.

3. Scrub, Drain and Repeat

Next, use a clean soft-bristled brush to firmly scrub cushions. Give them a few minutes to drain, and repeat brushing and scrubbing. It may take several passes before you see results.

Power Tip: Loosen deep-set dirt by scrubbing cushions side to side and then up and down.

4. Rinse Cushions Carefully

Rinse outdoor cushions using a garden hose and low-pressure spray attachment. Never use pressure washer equipment on furniture outside. It can tear fabric and damage frames.

5. Dry With Purpose

6. Know When to Call Cleaning Pros

Tips For Washing Larger Pillows

For larger pillows, sunbrellas, or other large items for your outdoor space, you need to hand wash the items. For best results, choose a warm or hot day with plenty of sun to help aid in drying and to prevent mold and mildew from growing.

1 gallon of lukewarm water

In a tub, sink, or large bucket, mix the warm water and soap to create a sudsy solution. Soak the pillows or other fabric for 30 minutes. Use a scrub brush to treat heavily soiled areas.

Drain cleaning solution and rinse with clean water. Lay pillows or different fabric out on a plastic tarp or hang directly from a clothesline to dry.

You dont have to worry about shrinking nylon blend cushions as long as you hand wash them and dont use the dryer. Most stains and everyday grime respond well to this homemade cleaning recipe.

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Awesome Acrylic Outdoor Cushion Cleaning Methods

If your cushions are made from acrylic or vinyl, you are going to take a different approach.

Mix 1 cup bleach, 2 cups detergent, and 1 gallon of water in a spray bottle.

Test the solution on an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn’t cause any issues.

Apply the bleach solution across the cushion surface.

Let it sit for 30 minutes.

Wipe the surface with a clean rag.

Rinse with clean water and let it dry.

Remove Water Stains With Heat

How to Clean Patio Cushions the Easy Way

Water stains are common in outdoor furniture. If you have teak tables, these spots appear in the form of water rings that develop on the surface over time. Luckily, removing rings from furniture is relatively simple when you apply a little heat to the situation.

The first solution involves using a hairdryer to dry out the excess moisture trapped inside the teak wood. When using this strategy, ensure that the hairdryer is on a low setting and does not directly blow over the surface of the furniture piece.

The second technique available requires the use of an iron. Since too much heat damages the wood, do not press the iron directly onto the furniture.

Instead, lay a soft cloth over the water ring first, then gently apply the iron over the top. Leave the iron over the towel for approximately five seconds at a time. Check beneath the cloth periodically to gauge the progress.

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Clean Up Spills As Soon As Possible

For liquid spills, use a clean, dry microfiber cloth and BLOT as much of the liquid up as possible. ;If there is still a stain left, add a couple of drops of dish washing liquid to a spray bottle of water and spray it on. ;Blot and rinse with clean water. ;Its generally best to clean the full side of the cushion to avoid any water stains. ;For specific stain treatments, see above.

How To Clean Mold Off Outdoor Cushions

When cleaning mold off outdoor cushions, its important to start with a cleaning solution made from one part Borax to four parts warm water, saturate the area on the cushion and use a microfiber cloth to blot out the stain. For tougher stains, allow the solution to sit for 20-30 minutes before blotting. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.;

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How To Clean Outside Furniture Cushions By Hand

Even if your cushions do not have care instructions, most cushions can be cleaned with a solution of 1 tsp. mild dish soap, 1 tsp Borax, and 1 quart of warm water. Combine all of the ingredients in a spray bottle and saturate both sides of the cushion. Let the solution sit for 15-20 minutes, making sure that you dont allow it to dry completely. Wash the solution off with clean water and stand the cushion on its edge to dry.;

How To Clean Commercial Outdoor Cushions Like A Pro

How To Clean Patio Furniture

Last Updated on July 31, 2021 by Diana Rodriguez-Zaba

From poolside bar service to patio dining, the great outdoors extends your hospitality business. Spotless furniture outside reflects the professional focus you put on keeping guests happy. Knowing how to clean outdoor cushions makes sure your venue makes the best impression.

Its just one of the specialty services we provide for hotels and restaurants in Chicago. ServiceMaster by Zaba is proud to be the citys leading commercial cleaning business, and we enjoy sharing that expertise.

Lets take a look at patio furniture cleaning ideas that can make this big project easier on your in-house staff. Were including some of our best power tips too.

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Rinse Your Wooden Outdoor Furniture

Take your water hose and rinse your table, chairs, etc. with it. Just like I have mentioned before, you do not want your furniture to get dry while the soap is on. So if its really sunny and warm outside, make sure to do this in a shady place or wait until the evening or the next morning to do this. Again you should make sure to get all the soap of.

How To Clean Patio Furniture Cushions

First, you want to check if the covers can be taken off and washed in a washing machine. You can see if they are by checking for buttons or a zipper. If that is the fact for you, just check the label to see how to wash them and get the job done but if they are not then you will have to clean them in another way.

You can clean them yourself in two ways; either with a pressure washer or by hands. If you have a pressure washer, it is always smart to keep your distance .

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How To Clean Wood And Wicker Outdoor Furniture

Rescue dull, dirty wood or wicker furniture with these easy cleaning strategies. To remove grime, use a mild oil-base soap, such as Murphy Oil Soap, mixed with warm water. For a DIY cleaning solution, mix 1/4-cup ammonia, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, and 1 quart of warm water. Commercial wood cleaners are also effective for cleaning patio furniture, but be sure to read directions carefully. Wicker and painted woods might require diluting the solution.

To protect your patio furniture, regularly wipe down wood to remove dirt, debris, and excess water. For hardwoods, consider annually sanding and applying a fresh coat of protective finish, such as oil, stain, or a polyurethane coating. Hose down wicker every few weeks to prevent dirt buildup in crevices.

How To Clean Outdoor Teak Wood Furniture

In some severe cases, you should call in the big guns to clean teak. Doing this includes using a commercial cleaner from a store instead of making one yourself at home. While this option is fine to use regularly, it is considered a much more aggressive agent than the other DIY alternatives.

As a result, hold off on using it straight off the bat until youve exhausted all other options. Some of the best brands to look for include Star Brites Teak Cleaner and Iossos teak cleaning products. One particular ingredient to look out for when choosing the right type of cleaner is oxalic acid.

This chemical also acts as a rust remover and is highly effective at removing stains from wood. When cleaning or rinsing, avoid using a pressure washer, as this may also damage the wood.

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Removing Oily Stains From Outdoor Upholstery

Oil from food, bug spray, sunscreen, and other things often find their way onto your outdoor cushions. If left untreated, these oils attract even more dirt and grime, leaving unsightly marks on your outdoor furniture. For stubborn oil-based stains, rub Fels-Naptha soap directly onto the remaining stain and then rinse.

The best DIY oil stain remover is a dry absorbent powder, such as corn starch or baking soda. Before using the dry powder, blot up as much excess oil as possible with a clean cloth. Sprinkle the powder across the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes.

Use a straight edge to scrape the dust away and reapply powder if needed. Spritz the area with a natural cleaning solution and blot with a towel until stain is gone. Rinse using a damp, microfiber cloth.

Science Behind These Ingredients:

You will notice this is very similar to the first method I talk about, but this time we have borax added to it. Borax can help with mold or mildew due to the boron compounds, so it makes a great option for this scrub. Be sure to read this post on the science of borax and all the things you can use it for.

The acidity of vinegar helps break down the stains from mold on fabrics. It doesnt always work on its own, but it helps all of these ingredients work together.

The last star ingredient for this mold or mildew remove is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is one of the main ingredients in our homemade mold remover spray because it works so good! It works as good as bleach for killing mold. You can read more about tea tree oil and the science behind it in this post.

Using this combination of ingredients has worked well on my fabrics in the past when I have had a touch of mildew. Like I mentioned above, we dont get that very often in Texas due to our hot dry weather, but some years we have very wet summers that linger.

Also Check: How To Remove Mildew From Patio Furniture Cushions

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.

Wash Your Furniture With Warm Soapy Water

How to Easily Clean Patio Cushions

Start with a gentle clean

When it comes to cleaning your outdoor wooden furniture, start gently. For teak especially, The best way to remove dirt, moss and lichen is to use mild soapy water and plenty of elbow grease, says Peter Tyrie, Managing Director of Barlow Tyrie.

Peter adds that its better to avoid using strong chemicals, as this can damage the finish of the wood and impact its visual appeal. However, if you feel more comfortable using a ready-made product, there are lots of wood-friendly cleansers available to buy. Just use in conjunction with a soft cloth to wipe away grime, as The Home Depot explains in their video on patio furniture. But, check the instructions on the label before you begin. Its also a good idea to test new products in an inconspicuous area of your furniture first, to make sure it wont effect the overall look.

If youre tempted to speed things up and are already reaching for the best pressure washer, you might want to reconsider. Youll find video after video on the internet of members of the public recommending the use of a jet washer to clean teak and other wooden furniture. We cannot stress enough that this is not recommended, says Peter Tyrie.

/ByGardenAxis

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Heavy Amounts Or Deeply Penetrated Mildew: Use Pressure Washer

If you have a pressure washer , and the mildew has penetrated the foam cushion or through the fabric of the pillow, then youll need a heavier duty option. Pressure washers can clean more deeply than a spritzer and vinegar, but its really easy to damage the cushion from too much pressure, so follow all the precautions below.

How to use a pressure washer to remove mold step-by-step:

Attach the pressure washer to an outdoor water source and set the PSI to the lowest possible setting so it wont damage the cushions.

Pour the cleaner into the soap reservoir and attach the soap tip.

Lie the cushions flat on a dry surface, like a deck or a driveway.

Standing 2 feet away to protect the cushion, soak the cushions with water.

Apply the cleaner, moving the cleaning wand in horizontal sweeping movements to create suds.

Let the soap rest for 3 minutes to penetrate the cushion, but dont let it dry.

Use the brush to scrub at mold and mildew.

Rinse the cushions with water to remove all soap residue.

Gently wring out the cushions to remove the excess water and set in a sunny, dry spot to dry completely.

Hand Wash Cushions With Solution

Good for: Delicate fabrics, spot stains

If your fabric needs gentle care, consider hand washing to get stains out. Silk covers, cushions with appliques, rayon, leather, and fur are standard no-nos when it comes to washing machines;and should be treated with appropriate solutions. When in doubt, use a wet cloth with mild detergent to lift fresh stains and prevent discoloration.

Even if your stains are caked in, hand washing cushions might be better than using a washing machine. You can use a fabric brush to scrub out stains on hardier cushions using strong stain removers. For leather covers, use a leather conditioner and refresher. There are also spot sprays you can use to treat surface stains for fabric-based cushions. Furthermore, there are efficient stain fighters at home which you simply need to dig out of that kitchen or storage.

Sleep Advisor suggests different ways to wash all different kinds of pillows including those with special stuffing.

How To Get Mold Out Of Outdoor Cushions

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