How Do You Clean Patio Furniture Cushions and Pillows?
Your patio furniture cushions and pillows will get dirty. That’s a fact. The real question is, how do you clean them? Just because they’re always outside doesn’t mean they always have to be dirty.
All-weather fabric that is found on outdoor cushions and pillows can be a little tricky, so it’s important to take the time to clean them correctly. We put together some tips so you can quickly and easily clean your patio cushions, pillows, and rugs.
If you want to avoid cleaning your patio cushions and pillows, it’s worth looking into patio furniture covers!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Patio Cushions & Pillows
Read the tag—follow care directions. Some covers can go on a gentle wash and air-dry. If the tag doesn’t allow machine washing, use the hand-cleaning method below. Want fewer cleanups? Consider furniture covers. Patio Productions also carries cushions in easy-care Sunbrella fabrics.
Yes—quick vacuuming lifts loose grime. A fast pass removes dust and debris so your soap mix can work better. It also prevents grinding dirt deeper into fabric while scrubbing. Simple step, cleaner results—Patio Productions approved.
Mix ¼ cup dish soap in 1 gallon of water. Don’t pour soap directly on fabric. Blend the solution in a bucket, then apply with a sponge. This gentle ratio cleans well without residue—our go-to for routine refreshes.
Saturate, scrub, then let sit 15 minutes. Coat cushions and pillows generously with the soap mix and scrub thoroughly. Allow about 15 minutes of dwell time so the solution lifts body oils and stains before rinsing.
Hose thoroughly; towel, then sun-dry. Rinse until all suds are gone. Blot with a towel and let pieces air-dry in direct sun to help prevent mildew. Sun-drying finishes the clean with a fresh feel.
Use a 50/50 vinegar-and-water pretreat. Apply the mix to the stain, scrub, then rinse and sun-dry. It’s a simple, fabric-friendly boost when regular soap isn’t enough.
Shake often; spot-treat—don’t scrub—stains. Prevent buildup by shaking out dirt regularly. Clean with the same dish-soap mix. For serious stains, blot with salt, dish soap, and shaving cream; then sun-dry to deter mildew.
Supplies Needed:
- Vacuum
- Dishwashing soap
- Sponge
- Vinegar (optional)
Patio Furniture Cushions and Pillows
1. Check the tag
The first step you’ll want to take is to check the tag for washing instructions. If there’s information about washing your pillow and cushion covers right on the tag, you can stop reading right now! Most instructions will tell you to wash on a gentle cycle and let air dry. If that’s not the case, keep on reading.
2. Vacuum
Next, you’ll want to vacuum your patio furniture cushions and pillows. This may sound a little funky, but a quick pass-over with a vacuum will help remove any excess dirt and grime. This will make your life a little easier when it comes to scrubbing your pillows.
3. Mix your soap/water
We don’t recommend adding dishwashing soap directly to your pillows. It shouldn’t need to be applied directly. We recommend mixing a quarter cup of dishwashing soap with about a gallon of water and mixing.
4. Scrub your cushions and pillows!
Start scrubbing, and don’t be shy! You’ll want to coat your cushions and pillows with your soap mixture. Feel free to go a little crazy with the sponge dunking and scrubbing. Wax on, wax off, whatever floats your boat. The goal is to saturate the material and then let it sit for about 15 minutes once saturated.
5. Rinse
Once 15 minutes have elapsed, grab a garden hose or your preferred method of rinsing clean the soap mixture off your cushions and pillows. You’ll want to make sure that all the soap is rinsed off.
6. Dry
Give the material a light towel, dry, and then let air dry in the sun until completely dry. Drying in the sun is recommended to avoid any potential mildew.
If you’re dealing with a particularly tough stain, apply a 50/50 mix of vinegar to the stain, scrub, rinse, and dry.
Cleaning an Outdoor Rug
Cleaning an outdoor rug is a similar task with just a few smaller differences. One of the best ways to prevent having to clean your rug is by shaking out the dirt that settles into it every once in a while. The longer you leave it sitting with dirt and grime on it, the more likely you’ll find mold and mildew to start to accumulate.
When it comes to cleaning, a similar mix of dishwashing soap and water will do the trick. If there are any serious stains on the rug, don’t scrub it, that will only worsen the stain. Try blotting with salt, dishwashing soap, and shaving cream to remove the stain.
Once you’re satisfied with the cleanliness of your rug, let it dry in sunlight to prevent mold and mildew.
At Patio Productions, we pride ourselves on carrying pillows and cushions made with Sunbrella fabric, the highest quality outdoor furniture cushion material available. Make sure you check what kind of material you’re dealing with when shopping for pricey patio furniture.
