How do I clean my patio cushions?

Annette Ferrara
by Annette Ferrara

I have very light patio cushions and they need to be washed; I am unable to take the covering off the seat cushions, even though they have a zipper, because they are to tight to remove and I am afraid I will not be able to get them back on. I was able to put the back pillow cushions in my front loader washing machine and they came out beautiful. Does anyone else have this issue, if so please let me know what you have done. I am in Az and with all the dust blowing around and also the dogs laying on them, they really need to be cleaned. What's the best way to clean outdoor cushions? Thanks in advance for your help. Annette ❤️

  9 answers
  • Oliva Oliva on Nov 14, 2018

    Can you take them to a laundry with commercial sized washers available to the public?

    If so, try pre-treating dirtier areas, scrubbing lightly with a nail brush or soft cloth, then laundering per directions. You may prefer to air dry.

  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 14, 2018

    Laundry mats have BIG washing machines to wash things too big for our home washing machines. If nothing else lay them outside in the sun, wet them down, scrub with a mild dish soap {such as Dawn}, 1 tsp Borax, and 1 quart of warm water. Place it in a spray bottle and spray on. Use a soft bristle brush to clean allowing the solution to soak into the fabric. Then rinse off or better yet power wash away the soapy mixture.

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Nov 14, 2018

    I'm in AZ too.Have 3 dogs. I just use some(not much) Dawn & water mixed well in bucket. I take the cushions one by one and stand them on sides/edges/corner and put them up on something( I use other clean lawn chairs that have open metal work for drainage & air circulation) and spray mine with hose to rinse off all loose dirt then with soft brush dipped in bucket of soapy water scrub cushion then rinse with hose. Rinse really well as soap residue actually will attract dirt it sticks to it more.Put the cushion out in sunny area to dry faster.Try not to soak cushion too much, won't hurt it but will take longer to dry. To just spot clean, white vinegar & water in spray bottle & white wash cloth. Good thing about the desert & this glorious dry heat things that are wet dry in minutes.After a dust storm I make sure to spray off everything because the dust particles can carry Valley Fever. Vets here in valley have reported severe rise in Valley Fever in dogs due to the amount & intensity of the dust storms we had this year.

  • No need for a coin laundry. Dawn dish soap, some vinegar, a scrub brush and garden hose do the trick. I wash mine all the time as it is very dusty where I live. Wet down, squirt some dawn, brush, toss on some white vinegar, brush some more. Rinse with hose and set in sun to dry, turning every hour or so. Easy, quick and done. 🌞

  • Melissa Melissa on Nov 15, 2018

    I’m in Florida and wash wondering same thing. My cushion covers zip off so what would be so bad bout washing in machine and letting air dry?

    • Annette Ferrara Annette Ferrara on Nov 15, 2018

      Since they fit so snug, I am afraid I will not be able to get them back on. Also, I have tried to take them off and it is truly a struggle to do this.

  • J J on Nov 15, 2018

    I sprayed my cushions with scotch guard before I ever put them outside. When they get grubby, most of the dirt just comes off with a quick spray of the hose.

  • Mainiebets Mainiebets on Nov 15, 2018

    SUPER easy solution. Go to Home Depot and buy a couple of bottles of Spray and Forget. Make sure its the one for furniture. I just had to do the same to mine (I think we have the exact same ones!) and they look brand-spanking new! Here’s the link. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Spray-and-Forget-24-oz-Outdoor-Furniture-Cleaner-SFOFC-1Q/303845432?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-202088618-_-303845432-_-N

  • J J on Nov 15, 2018

    If is an actual outdoor fabric you can clean with Clorox clean up and scrub brush and the garden hose. Honest! Test a spot first.


  • Annette Ferrara Annette Ferrara on Nov 23, 2018

    Thank you everyone !