It won't be long until the summer is here so it's time to take a look at your outdoor furniture chair cushions...
Garden furniture is not cheap and you need to give it the same care and attention you would the sofa in your living room.
If your outdoor furniture has seen better days or if you have no choice but to leave it outside all year round, then the elements can wreak havoc on your cushions even though they are usually designed to stay outside.
We found this fab video on YouTube showing one way to get them clean.
At Lazy Susan we advise our customers that regular cleaning is vital if they want to keep their garden furniture cushions looking like new.
Don’t just wait until summer to give them a good clean, get them ready now and they’ll be looking their best and ready for the first rays of sunshine. Now is the time to obtain tips for cleaning patio furniture cushions, so you will be ready before the summer comes.
By following Lazy Susan’s cleaning tips, I promise you’ll be able to prolong the life of your garden furniture cushions for many years to come.
Basic Cleaning of your outdoor furniture chair cushions
If your outdoor furniture chair cushions are fairly new or they’ve been well taken care of, then you will only have to do a little gentle basic cleaning. At least once a year, you need to give your cushions a basic clean to help retain their appearance.
If your cushions are zipped as per the type we sell at Lazy Susan or a velcro fastening, then remove them and place them in the washing machine using a low cycle and a little laundry detergent.
To preserve the life of your patio furniture cushions, do not wash the foam insert. If you saturate the foam inner, you run the risk of causing mildew or mould growth.
If your foam inserts do get wet or you can’t remove the covers and therefore you have to wash them together, then make sure you dry them completely before popping the cover back on.
The best way to do this is to place it between two towels, walk on the cushions to squeeze any moisture out and leave it to dry against a radiator.
Do not tumble dry the foam or covers!
Heavy Cleaning of your outdoor furniture chair cushions
If your outdoor furniture chair cushions are heavily soiled, then you might want to consider soaking them first to loosen the ingrained dirt that builds up over time (especially in any seams).
Prepare a solution by mixing equal parts of washing up liquid and Vanish Oxi-action powder with a litre of warm water.
Place the solution in a spray bottle and have a garden hose at the ready. Use the spray bottle to apply the cleaning solution to the soiled cushions.
If you are dealing with a large or tough stain, be sure to liberally saturate the cushions with the cleaning solution, paying special attention to the cushion’s creases and seams where the dirt tends to build up.
The more solution you spray onto the cushions the less scrubbing you will have to do as the Oxi-action will fizz away and take care of things. Allow the cleaning solution to sit for a good 15 to 30 minutes, but do not let it dry out, re-spray if need be.
Once a sufficient amount of time has elapsed, place the garden hose on high (a pressure washer is even better), spray the cushions thoroughly to remove the dirt/cleaning solution and then follow the gentle cleaning process and wash in the washing machine.
Take a little preventative action to keep your cushions clean
In order to reduce the amount of cleaning you will have to do on your outdoor furniture chair cushions (and prevent the need to replace them), it’s a good idea to be proactive.
For example, consider spraying the cushions with Scotchgard™ Outdoor Fabric Protector before using them. This forms an invisible barrier which repels water-based liquids such as rain, wine and coffee and helps protect against stains, making them easier to clean in the future.
Another way to cut down on cleaning time is to properly store the cushions during the winter. Consider using airtight containers to store your cushions.
But please, whatever you do, don’t wrap your cushions in plastic or store them in bin bags, because mould and mildew will grow rapidly if air and even a little moisture get trapped inside.
At Lazy Susan we always advise our customers to store in an airtight container with a few tumble dryer sheets in the container alongside your cushions.
This is a great way to prevent spiders/bugs etc (especially if you’re storing in a shed) and it will ensure they come out smelling fresh when you next pop the lid.