How to Clean Sunbrella Outdoor Cushions Properly

It’s that time of the year again. You are excited to spend hours under the sun relaxing on your summer patio furniture. But you can’t fail to notice the dirt, food stains and even bird poop that may have accumulated on your Sunbrella outdoor cushions. One day you decide that you've had enough of the nasties. And since you want to continue enjoying summer in a clean space, you decide to clean your Sunbrella outdoor cushions.

Here’s how to clean Sunbrella outdoor cushions.

While it is impossible to avoid dust and dirt on Sunbrella cushions and outdoor weather covers, taking care of your Sunbrella cushions removes the need for regular cleaning. As such, ensure you wipe spills off immediately after they occur. And if you notice loose dirt and debris, vacuum or brush them away from your cushions. You can also give your Sunbrella cushions a light rinse with plain water when necessary. Regular maintenance prevents the growth of mold and mildew.

You do not wait to wait for dirt to accumulate for you to clean your Sunbrella cushions and outdoor weather covers. If you notice that your Sunbrella cushions have started accumulating dirt, give them a light clean.

Before cleaning, ensure you remove any debris or dust from the covers. Follow by cleaning lightly with a solution of soap and water. Ensure you use a soft brush and rinse thoroughly with clean water. You will love the feel of a clean fabric once it’s dry!

How to clean stains off your Sunbrella covers

It is difficult to avoid stains, no matter how careful you are with your Sunbrella cushions. If you are wondering how to clean Sunbrella cushion covers, there is no need to panic.

If the spill is from a liquid, use a clean, dry cloth to blot it. However, do not rub on the spilled area as it will only spread the mess out.

If the spill is from an oil-based substance, such as tomato juice, paint, salad dressing, shoe polish or tree sap, sprinkle corn-starch over the grease or oil to help absorb it. You can then scrape off extra corn-starch with a straight edge and repeat if needed. However, be careful not to tear the fabric while you're at it. Follow by spraying a mild soap and water solution on the spill. Use a soft brush or sponge to clean off the spills and rinse thoroughly with clean water when done. Blot the excess water and allow the fabric to air dry.

If this fails, you can clean your Sunbrella cushion covers in a washing machine. This is why you should always get removable cushion covers for your patio furniture. Ensure you close the zipper and add the right amount of mild detergent; after the wash, air dry the Sunbrella covers.

If you think the stains may not come off easily and you do not want to use a washing machine, you can soak the fabrics in a solution of mild soap and water. Follow by cleaning the Sunbrella covers with a soft brush or sponge. Ensure you focus on the stain areas. Finish by rinsing the fabrics and air drying.

Your fabric might accumulate some strong-smelling stains over time. These smells are not only gross, but get worse if not well cleaned. Unfortunately, strong-smelling stains may come off, but the unpleasant smell can linger for long periods, making it less enjoyable or even embarrassing to use your outdoor cushions. If your Sunbrella cushions get strong-smelling stains, the use of vinegar will work like magic. Make a solution of water, mild soap and vinegar and spray over the stained area. Proceed to brush the stained areas with a soft brush or sponge.

For dried stains, use a solution of water, mild soap and ammonia. Spray this solution over the stained area and use a gentle sponge or brush to clean it off. As usual, allow the fabric to air dry.

Cleaning mold and mildew

Sunbrella fabrics do not promote the growth of mold or mildew. However, if you notice that your Sunbrella cushion covers have started to accumulate mold or mildew, you might have stored them improperly, before they dried completely. Alternatively, the mold could be growing on dirt that has not been cleaned off. While mold and mildew can cause health issues, making your cushions unpleasant to use, it is easy to clean them off and prevent them from growing again.

To clean mold and mildew off your Sunbrella fabrics, use a solution of water, mild soap and bleach. You can either spray the solution all over the fabric or soak the fabric in the solution and allow to air dry.

Re-treat your Sunbrella cushions

When new, Sunbrella fabric has a fluorocarbon stain and water-repellent lining that should last for a long time. However, you may need to re-treat your Sunbrella fabric to maintain its ability to ward off water and stains. To re-treat the fabric, clean your Sunbrella cushions and allow them to air dry. Apply a thin and even coat of the recommended re-treating solution. This should only be carried out in a well-ventilated place. Let the covers dry completely. For best results, apply another coat and let it dry. Two coats will protect your fabric better from stains and water as opposed to a single coat.

While cleaning Sunbrella outdoor cushions can be a breeze, you want to adhere to the recommended guidelines. This ensures that you do not void the warranty in case the fabric gets damaged.

• Clean your Sunbrella outdoor cushions on a sunny day. Cleaning the Sunbrella outdoor cushions when it’s raining or cold means that your cushions will not dry properly. This makes the furniture susceptible to mold.
  
  
• Read care instructions. Do not be one of those people who throw away the care guide immediately after they open products. These guides ensure that you get sufficient information on how to clean and care for your Sunbrella cushions. For instance, if you are unsure about how or whether you can machine wash your Sunbrella cushions, referring to the care labels will prevent you from damaging the cushions.
  
  
• Drying. You should never dry clean your Sunbrella cushion covers. Always air dry the covers. No matter how fast you need your Sunbrella cushion covers to dry, never use a dry iron set or a steamer to dry your Sunbrella fabric. Always air dry!