7 Tips for How to Clean Outdoor Cushions

1. Don't let your kids blow bubbles near them

We all know that kids love to blow bubbles, but did you know that those same bubbles can actually ruin your outdoor cushions?

If the bubble solution gets on your cushions, it will leave behind a sticky residue that is very difficult to remove.

So if you want to keep your cushions looking clean and new, make sure to keep the bubbles away!

3. Create your cleaning mixture

First, fill your bucket or tub with water from the hose and add a squirt of mild dish soap along with about one-quarter cup of Borax.
Mix it around until the soap is dissolved and then submerge your sponge or brush in the soapy water.

4. Use a nice big bristle brush with a handle

Next, take your sponge or brush and gently scrub each cushion in a circular motion.

You’ll definitely want something bigger like what I have linked below versus what I am using in this picture.

Be sure to pay extra attention to any areas that seem particularly dirty or stained.

I dipped my brush into the suds and got as many suds on the dirtier areas as I could before scrubbing.

5. Rinse with the hose

Once you've scrubbed all of the cushions, rinse them off with your garden hose.

For throw pillows or cushions with removal covers, I might try to rinse them on their own for faster dry time, but I did not do this.

Mostly because I didn't think of it, but if I were to go back, I might consider removing the covers for just the throw pillows.

6. Create a Pseudo drying rack

We used an extension ladder because we had one readily available, but you could also lay them out over 2X4s or use a patio table.

If you're using a the patio table, make sure to put something down first so the cushions don't get dirty while they're drying.

7. Plan to never do this again

As a preventative measure, I would suggest spraying your cushions with Scotchguard once a year to keep them looking like new and resistant to the elements.

If you're on the fence about which fabric protector to choose, I highly recommend checking out this post from Bloom in the Black on the best fabric protectors for outdoor cushions.

Also, I haven’t done it yet, but investing in patio furniture covers would help a lot during patio season.

Then for the winter, I would suggest storing the cushions inside somewhere safe from the elements like your basement.