Mildew is always a problem when it comes to your outdoor furniture. It ruins the look of your cushions and can even be dangerous to people with allergies or asthma. The good news is that you can get rid of mildew on outdoor cushions using common household items. Follow these simple steps, and your outdoor cushions will be clean in no time!
The Three Items You Need
The three things you’ll need for this cleaning method are rubbing alcohol, dish soap, and a scrub brush.
Mix the dish soap with water in a one-to-one ratio. Put the mixture on the mildewed area.
Use your scrub brush to wash off the soap and mildew. Rinse with water, then dry your cushion in the sun.
If there is still mildew after following these steps, you can use rubbing alcohol to wipe it off. You should also dry your cushion in the sun afterward to make sure there is no moisture left that could cause new mold to grow.
How To Clean Outdoor Cushions With Bleach
1.) Fill a bucket with one part chlorine bleach and two parts water. Submerge your outdoor cushions in the mixture.
2.) Soak the outdoor cushions for four hours or overnight. Your outdoor cushions should be completely submerged in the solution.
3.) Rinse your outdoor cushions with cold water and dry them off with a towel.
4.) Apply a layer of vinyl protectant to help prevent mildew from growing in the future.
How To Clean Outdoor Cushions Without Bleach
Soak the outdoor cushions in a solution of 1 tablespoon of dish soap and 3 cups of water for an hour. This will help break down any dirt that may be lingering on the fabric.
Rinse the outdoor cushions with water and scrub them with a soft brush, removing any stubborn dirt.
Mix a solution of 2 cups warm water, 1 tablespoon dish soap, and 1/2 cup vinegar to clean the surface of your outdoor cushions. After scrubbing with the mixture, rinse thoroughly with water to remove all traces of soap residue.
Spray a light coating of vinegar over your outdoor furniture to help prevent mildew from growing again.
How To clean Outdoor Cushions With Baking Soda
To remove mildew from your outdoor cushions, combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the mildewed area and let it set for 5 to 10 minutes. After that time, blot the area with paper towels until it is dry. Repeat this process as needed.
If the mildew remains, repeat this process with a mixture of 3 parts vinegar and 1 part hydrogen peroxide. Then rinse with water to eliminate any residue before drying your cushions.
How To Clean Outdoor Cushions With Vinegar
-Before you start, make sure that all the cushions are completely dry and not wet.
-Take your mildew cleaning mixture of vinegar, dish soap, and water. Mix in a bowl or place the ingredients in a spray bottle.
-Spray the mixture on the cushions, let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a sponge.
-Wipe down the cushions with a clean cloth to remove any residue or soap film if needed.
How To Clean Outdoor Cushions With Hydrogen Peroxide
Clean outdoor cushions with hydrogen peroxide:
-Pour hydrogen peroxide onto the mildewed area.
-Let it sit for about 10 minutes
-Use a scrub brush to scrub the area and then rinse with cold water.
Conclusion
As summer approaches, many of us will be sitting outside more often, which means our outdoor furniture will be exposed to more UV rays, rain and other outdoor elements.
You might be wondering how to clean mildew off outdoor cushions. Well, it’s not too difficult to do and can be done with the following items:
– A bucket and sponge or brush
-Mix the bleach or baking soda with the water in the bucket and soak the cushion for about 5 minutes. With a different clean cloth, scrub the cushion to remove any stubborn mildew. Rinse with water and allow it to dry in the sun.
If you don’t want to use bleach or baking soda, you can also use vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Simply pour your chosen cleaner on the cushion, scrub it with a brush, rinse and allow it to dry in the sun.