It’s no secret that mildew is a common problem with outdoor furniture cushions. Thankfully, there are ways to easily and safely remove mildew from your outdoor cushions — without ruining them.
When you discover mildew on your outdoor cushions, you will want to treat them as soon as possible. (The earlier you can detect a mildew outbreak, the easier it will be to get rid of and prevent it from coming back!)
But before diving into how you can remove mildew from outdoor cushions, what exactly is mildew?
What is Mildew?
Mildew is a kind of fungus or mold that grows in damp and humid areas like your basement, clothing, and other areas that are susceptible to moisture problems.
Mildew can cause adverse symptoms in humans like runny nose, itching, coughing, and headache making it a nuisance that needs to be cleaned off immediately.
Because outdoor cushions are exposed to moisture and humidity often, they can become mildew ridden if not careful. Mildew has a strong musty odor. So, if you start to smell weird smells from your cushions, you may have a mildew problem on your hands.
Mildew on outdoor cushions can be tough to remove as it tends to cling on tightly. However, there are ways you can get rid of mildew on your outdoor cushions.
How to Remove Mildew from Outdoor Cushions
Outdoor cushions are a great addition to any patio, deck, or backyard. They allow you to sit back and relax in your own private space. Outdoor cushions can be made of different materials such as Olefin or Polyester, but they all need to be cleaned periodically.
Although there are multiple ways to clean your outdoor cushions, we will be discussing how to clean them with the soap method.
If you would like additional information about how to care for your cushions, check out the Cushion Connection Care & Cleaning Guide!
Let’s dive in.
1. Shake Them Out
The first step to removing mildew from outdoor cushions is to shake them off. This will clear them of leaves or any other debris that may have collected on them — as well as dust and pollen.
Rinse
Once you’ve given your cushions a good shake-off, you’ll want to hose them down well so that they are completely wet and saturated.
This will allow the soap solution to penetrate into the fabric and foam inside the cushion. It will also help loosen up any dirt or stains that may be present on your cushions before you deep clean them with your soap solution.
3. Clean & Scrub
Next, you will want to mix ¼ cup dish soap with a gallon of water in a bucket and apply the solution all over the “mildewed” cushions.
You will then need to use an old toothbrush or sponge to scrub off any stubborn mold stains or spots from the cushions.
4. Let Them Dry
After scrubbing all the affected areas, rinse the cushions off with clean water and give them time to dry completely. (Try laying them out in the sun or indoors near a fan.)
Once dried, use a towel or rag to wipe down the cushions again.
If there is still some mildew remaining on your cushions, repeat this process until all of the mildew has been removed from the cushions.
4. Storage
Lastly, you may want to consider storing your cushions away for the season if it’s wintertime.
If you live in a warm climate that doesn’t get cold enough for substantial snowfall, you may still want to store them indoors during the winter months instead of leaving them outside where they could freeze and break down prematurely.
Elevate Your Patio with Cushion Connection
All in all, these tips should go a long way toward keeping your outdoor cushions clean and mold-free. You may not be able to stop the mildew from forming, but these tips can help you deal with it once it starts, so you can enjoy your patio area for years to come.
If you feel like it’s time to swap out your old cushions for new ones, we have an extensive outdoor cushion line with over 400 different styles for your patio needs. Shop our outdoor cushions today!
