How to Wash/Clean Outdoor Cushions on the Patio Furniture?

The fabric used for Lagoon cushions is inherently water repellent, thanks to the polypropylene. If you want to enhance the repellent effect, spray a water repellent over the fabric after washing. Since water repellent does not prevent 100% of the water from infiltrating, the cushions will still become wet if it rains for long enough.

Although there is a zipper on the cushion, if the inner foam is removed, it can be difficult to put back properly. Fitting the corners of the foam can be especially tricky. Also, the batting can fall off when you take it out or put it back in. So, how can you wash outdoor cushions? Cleaning the cushion as a whole can be the simplest approach.

1. Basic cleaning

Although we do usually not spread crumbs everywhere like the Cookie Monster, crumbs will often end up on the cushions after we have enjoyed some yummy snacks. Using a vacuum cleaner is a fast and efficient way to remove small crumbs.

Vacuum the crumbs

Vacuum up the crumbs

When you are really enjoying yourself, you might have some beverages along with your food. If you accidentally spill coke, coffee, wine, or another drink with a strong color, if you blot it with a paper towel or a dry absorbent cloth right way, it might not leave a stain, thanks to the water-repellent nature of the polypropylene fabric of the cushion.

Clean spill paper towel at once!

Clean any spills with a paper towel at once!

The real challenge is cleaning up sauce spills, such as ketchup or BBQ sauce, because they can have a strong color and contain oil. To minimize the risk, first blot the sauce with a paper towel or a dry absorbent cloth right away, or use a credit card or piece of boxboard to scoop it up. For the residual stain, mix a solution with ¼ of a cup of detergent in a gallon of lukewarm water, apply the solution onto the affected area, wait a few minutes for the residue to soften, and then use a sponge or soft bristle brush to clean it off. After that, wipe the area with a cloth dipped in clean water, until no suds can be seen. If this does not work very well, refer to the overall cleaning procedure described below. Bird droppings can be treated in the same way.

Regular cleaning can keep furniture looking new and neat for longer. Use a soft brush or vacuum to remove surface dirt and dust from the cushions about once a week or once every two weeks, depending on your environment, to prevent dirt from getting inside the fabric. For dirt that is hard to clean, wash with detergent as described above.

Clean catch up

Cleaning up ketchup

2. Overall Cleaning:

Like daily maintenance, sweep the surface with a brush or use a vacuum cleaner. Then spray each side with a solution of ¼ of a cup of detergent in a gallon of lukewarm water. Use a sponge or soft bristle brush to clean the cushion thoroughly, then rinse with clean water until no suds can be seen.

If any stains remain, mix a solution with ¾ of a cup of bleach per gallon of water. First, test the color-fastness with the solution in an inconspicuous place. If there are no signs of discoloration, wipe the stained area with the solution, wait for about 5 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with lots of water. This also works well when dealing with mold or mildew.

When the cushion is clean, gently squeeze the water out of it. A water extractor can be very handy for this. Air dry the cushion with the zipper side down and unzipped. Do not put the cushion into a dryer or use a steamer to remove wrinkles, since that can deform the cushion.

You can pressure wash the furniture frame, but avoid pressure washing the cushion since that can damage the stitch line.

Clean stain with solution

Clean stains with detergent

I hope these tips for washing outdoor cushions will help you enjoy Lagoon furniture for longer and better! Lagoon enables you to lead a good life!