Knowing how to clean outdoor furniture is great, but you also need to know how to prevent damage from the sun’s UV rays and moisture. Fabric umbrellas not only keep your family cool, but they also offer protection from the sun for your outdoor furniture. A patio cover or awning will give your furniture even more protection from the sun and rain. Although it can be more work, metal frame furniture price covers offer almost complete protection from the elements, just be sure to not leave them on too long to avoid mold and mildew.
For most wood outdoor furniture, the type of wood and the finish will be the most critical deterrents to damage from the sun and rain. Paint is a good way to protect against moisture and UV rays but covers up the natural grain. You’ll need to reapply paint once in a while to cover up fading, chipping and peeling. If you want to keep the natural look of wood, a water sealer is ideal for keeping moisture out. Varnish is another good wood outdoor furniture protector and only requires a fresh coat every couple of years in most conditions.
Outdoor furniture made from metal is susceptible to corrosion. Other than keeping it clean and choosing pieces with a “weather resistant” finish, there are things you can do to keep wrought iron and other metals looking fresh and new. To repel water and prolong the life of the finish, periodically applying car wax will create a protective coating and prevent rust. Any moving parts should be greased regularly to limit metal to metal wear and keep out moisture. For chips and scratches down to the metal, rub the area with fine steel wool, apply a rust-inhibiting primer, apply paint and finish with a top coat of wax or sealer.
Additionally, if your fabrics aren’t treated by the manufacturer to deter damage from UV rays and moisture, you’ll want to apply your own protective fabric guard. Reapply the fabric guard any time you see your cushions and pillows retaining moisture. Be sure the fabric is clean and dry before you spray it. If your cushions and pillows are dirty, you need to know how to clean outdoor cushions before you apply any protectants.
How to Clean Outdoor Cushions
For pillows and cushions, the most durable are constructed with quick-dry foam and a polyester or acrylic outer fabric. These fabrics are less likely to fade from rain and UV rays than some other fabrics, resist shrinking and stretching and require very little maintenance. Learning how to clean outdoor cushions is pretty straightforward—it’s making it a regular routine that can be a challenge.
When you know how to clean patio cushions, you can keep them looking newer longer for years. Before we get into how to wash outdoor cushions, go ahead and put the task on your spring and fall cleaning checklist. Now, on to the outdoor cushion cleaning.
Vacuum Your Patio Cushions
Shake your cushions to remove dust and dirt and then vacuum all sides of the patio cushion with your vacuum’s upholstery tool. It’s best to vacuum your cushion covers while they are still on the cushions so you can get into tufts and other tight places.
Remove the Outdoor Cushion Covers
Remove your outdoor cushion covers and vacuum the foam on all sides gently to remove debris. If possible, put your patio cushions out in the sun for some natural disinfecting and to dry any moisture.
Wash Your Cushion Covers
Learning how to wash outdoor cushions is easy. If the fabric care label allows for machine washing, head to the laundry room with your cushion covers and follow the directions on the label. To hand-wash your cushion covers, follow these simple steps:
Hand-wash the cushion covers in a sink of water and dish soap and use ¼ cup baking soda for stains and mildew
Let the covers soak for 15 minutes
Pile your wet cushion covers into a bucket and head outside
Gently rinse the covers with a garden hose
Roll the covers up in towels to remove some of the moisture, then lay them out to air dry
Once your outdoor cushion covers are nice and dry, put them back on your cushions and spray them with a fabric protector to keep them looking their best. Even using the best fabric protector only goes so far against foul weather and glaring sunlight. If possible, store your cushions out of the weather when you’re not using them and they will experience less fading and wear.
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