You may not realize it, but your outdoor cushions and pillows have to withstand a lot. They’re up against direct sunlight, rain, dirt and dust, sticky fingers, greasy sunblock splatters, and the list goes on and on. While they’re made with performance fabric designed to endure harsh conditions, cleaning outdoor cushions periodically increases their longevity and keeps their good looks intact, which saves you money on repairs and replacements.
We’ve put together a guide to show you how to clean outdoor cushions to avoid lasting stains and damage from food, wildlife, mold, and other messes. Find everything you need to keep your pillows pristine in the step-by-step instructions and care tips below.
IMPORTANT: Before trying any of these cleaning methods, check your cushion manufacturer’s instructions for recommended cleaning products and methods.
Cushion Cleaning Quick Reference Chart
Cleaning Method |
Supplies Needed |
Instructions |
| Spills & Bird Droppings |
|
1. Mix 1 tsp. Borax, 1 tsp. mild dish soap, and 1 qt. warm water in a spray bottle. 2. Spray solution on stain; let soak for a few minutes. 3. Scrub with a clean cloth. 4. Let sit 10–15 minutes. 5. Rinse with clean water. 6. Air-dry cushions on their sides. |
| Oil Stains |
|
1. Blot excess oil with a microfiber cloth. 2. Apply cornstarch or baking soda to the stain. 3. Let sit 10–15 minutes. 4. Scrape off powder with a knife, spoon, or squeegee. 5. Reapply powder if needed. 6. Blot remaining marks with dish soap/water mixture and microfiber cloth. 7. Rinse cushions with clean water and air-dry on their sides. |
| Mold & Mildew (Borax) |
|
1. Remove loose mold/mildew with a clean cloth. 2. Mix Borax (or hydrogen peroxide) and warm water (1:4 ratio) in a spray bottle. 3. Spritz generously; let soak 15–30 minutes. 4. Blot with a microfiber cloth; scrub tough stains with a soft-bristle brush. 5. Rinse cushions with clean water and air-dry on their sides. |
| Mold & Mildew (Baking Soda) |
|
1. Brush off loose mold/mildew with a clean cloth. 2. Mix ¼ cup baking soda and 1 qt. warm water in a spray bottle, or make a paste with water and baking soda. 3. Spray solution or wipe paste on fabric; let sit 15–30 minutes. 4. Gently scrub with a soft-bristle brush. 5. Rinse cushions with clean water and air-dry on their sides. |
| Deep Clean (Bleach) |
|
1. Mix ¼ cup mild soap and 1 cup bleach per gallon of lukewarm water. 2. Rinse cushions with clean water to remove loose dirt. 3. Scrub bleach mixture on fabric. 4. Let sit 5–10 minutes. 5. Rinse thoroughly. 6. Air-dry cushions on their sides. |
| Deep Clean (Vinegar) |
|
1. Mix dish soap and water in one container, vinegar and water (1:1 ratio) in another. 2. Rinse loose dirt from cushions with clean water. 3. Scrub with soapy water and rinse thoroughly. 4. Apply vinegar solution to fabric; let sit 10–15 minutes. 5. Rinse thoroughly. 6. Prop cushions on their sides to air-dry. |
How to Clean Spills & Bird Droppings Off Patio Cushions
Did you accidentally spill red wine on your white outdoor sofa? Or maybe a bird left its mark on your new throw pillows? Don’t fret! You can spot clean these stain types using the following steps.
Steps for Removing Spills and Bird Droppings
Supplies needed
- Borax
- Mild dish soap
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Clean cloth
Instructions
- Mix one teaspoon of Borax, one teaspoon of mild dish soap, and one quart of warm water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the solution directly onto the stain and allow it to soak for a few minutes.
- Work the solution into the fabric with a clean cloth.
- Let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
- Rinse away all the soap residue with clean water.
- Prop your cushion on its side to air-dry.
Additional Tips
- For bird droppings, clean off as much of the stain as possible with a microfiber cloth before spot cleaning. Make sure not to rub it deeper into the fabric.
- For spills, time is of the essence, so clean them up as soon as possible.
How to Remove Oil Stains From Performance Fabric
Oils from sunscreen, bug spray, or food can get onto pillow fabric, attracting dirt and grime. But don’t worry—you can remove these stains with a dry absorbent powder like cornstarch or baking soda. Follow these steps to clean outdoor cushions.
Steps for Removing Oil Stains From Outdoor Fabric
Supplies needed
- Microfiber cloth
- Baking soda or cornstarch
- Butter knife, spoon, or squeegee
- Mild dish soap
Instructions
- Blot excess oil off your cushion with a microfiber cloth.
- Apply cornstarch or baking soda to the stain.
- Allow the powder to stand for 10-15 minutes.
- Scrape off the powder with a knife, spoon, or squeegee.
- Reapply powder if needed.
- If a mark remains, blot the area with a mixture of dish soap and water and a microfiber cloth.
- Rinse the area with clean water and let the cushion air-dry on its side.
Additional Tips
- Use a vacuum cleaner to quickly remove baking soda or cornstarch from fabric.
- Blot, don’t rub, oil stains. Rubbing can push the oil deeper into the fabric.
How to Clean Moldy Outdoor Cushions
While some fabrics, like solution-dyed acrylic, don’t promote mold and mildew growth, the fungi can still form on dirt and other foreign substances that haven’t been removed from the fabric. If you see grime on your cushions, try these simple methods to keep your pillows and cushions fresh and clean.
Steps for How to Remove Mildew From Outdoor Cushions With Borax
Supplies needed
- Clean cloth
- Borax or hydrogen peroxide
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber cloth or soft-bristle brush
Instructions
- Use a dry cloth to remove as much mold and mildew as possible.
- Mix one part Borax with four parts warm water in a spray bottle. You can also try hydrogen peroxide instead of Borax.
- Generously spritz the solution on the cushion and let it soak for 15–30 minutes.
- Use a microfiber cloth to blot the stain. For tough stains, scrub with a soft-bristle brush.
- Rinse the cushion with clean water, and place it on its side to air-dry.
Steps for Removing Mold & Mildew From Outdoor Cushions With Baking Soda
Supplies needed
- Clean cloth
- Baking soda
- Spray bottle or bowl
- Soft-bristle brush
Instructions
- Brush away loose mold and mildew with a clean cloth.
- Mix ¼ cup of baking soda and 1 quart of warm water in a spray bottle, or create a paste by blending a bit of water with baking soda.
- Spray the solution or wipe the paste directly onto fabric, and allow it to sit for 15–30 minutes.
- Gently scrub cushions with a soft-bristle brush.
- Rinse with clean water and place cushions on their sides to air-dry.
Additional Tips
- Hydrogen peroxide can cause fading in some fabrics, so spot-test an area before fully cleaning outdoor furniture cushions.
How to Deep Clean Outdoor Cushions
Deep cleaning outdoor chair cushions before storing them at the end of the season is a smart move to repel pests and prevent mold and mildew growth. We have two methods you can try to give your pillows a good, thorough cleansing.
Steps for Deep Cleaning Outdoor Pillows & Cushions With Bleach
Supplies needed
- Mild dish soap
- Liquid bleach
- Sponge or soft-bristle brush
Instructions
- Prepare a solution of ¼ cup of mild soap and one cup of bleach per gallon of lukewarm water.
- Rinse your cushions with clean water to remove loose dirt, dust, or debris.
- Scrub the bleach mixture all over the fabric with the sponge or brush.
- Let your cushions sit for 5–10 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Air-dry your cushions on their sides.
Steps for Deep Cleaning Lawn Furniture Cushions With Vinegar
Supplies needed
- Mild dish soap
- White vinegar
- Sponge or soft-bristle brush
Instructions
- Mix dish soap and water in one container, and vinegar and water in another at a one-to-one ratio.
- Rinse off loose dirt, dust, or debris from cushions with clean water.
- Scrub your cushions all over with the soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
- Apply the vinegar solution to the fabric, and let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
- Thoroughly rinse with clean water.
- Prop cushions on their sides to air-dry.
Additional Tips
- Not all cushion materials can handle bleach. Always test cleaning solutions on a small section of fabric first to ensure it’s safe.
- If your cushions have zippers, pay extra attention to these areas when rinsing to prevent trapped liquid and future mildew growth beneath fabric.
- Always wear protective gloves when using bleach or other harsh chemicals.
- Never mix bleach and vinegar. Doing so creates toxic chlorine gas that can burn your skin and damage your lungs.
Cushion Cleaning Frequently Asked Questions
How to restore sun-faded cushions?
Most outdoor cushions and pillows made of durable fabrics are UV-resistant. But no matter how tough the fabric is, it can fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight. It’s not possible to reverse fading or prevent it entirely, but there are ways to help your cushion colors last longer.
When not in use, store cushions in a console table, shed, deck box, or storage bench.
If you have some pillows constantly exposed to the sun and others in the shade, rotate them periodically to equalize their sun exposure.
If possible, flip your cushions from time to time to even out wear and exposure.
Spray cushions with an outdoor fabric protectant that blocks harmful UV rays.
Can I reverse water damage on outdoor cushions?
Like fading, you can’t reverse water damage, but you can reduce its effects on outdoor cushions with quick action and protective measures. Storing cushions in watertight containers, applying waterproofing sprays, and protecting your furniture with weather-resistant covers are all ways to keep your cushions and pillows in good condition.
Can you use Dawn to clean outdoor cushions?
Yes! In fact, Dawn and similar mild dish soaps are some of the best cleaners for outdoor cushions because they’re gentle enough not to damage fabric fibers or strip away protective coatings, yet effective in removing dirt, oil, and grime.
Will vinegar remove mildew from outdoor cushions?
Cleaning outdoor seat cushions with vinegar can effectively remove mildew and mold. Vinegar is a mild acid that can kill many species of fungi, but it’s safe to use on most fabrics.
Can you use OxiClean on outdoor cushions?
When used as directed, OxiClean is perfectly safe for most outdoor cushion fabrics. Its chlorine-free formula contains sodium percarbonate, which releases oxygen when combined with water. The oxygen helps safely lift and break down stains, making them easier to remove.
Can you use baking soda to clean outdoor cushions?
Baking soda is a great outdoor cushion cleaner. It’s a safe and natural option that can be used in multiple ways:
When sprinkled on fabric, baking soda absorbs odors, moisture, and grease.
Blending baking soda and a little water creates an abrasive paste that can help remove stains.
Mixing a quarter cup of baking soda with one cup of water creates a solution that helps remove mildew from performance fabric.
