How To Clean Outdoor Cushions For Longevity

To clean outdoor cushions, first brush or vacuum off loose dirt, then spot-clean or wash with a gentle solution — a mix of dish soap and warm water, an OxiClean or borax solution for tougher stains, or a vinegar-and-water spray as a natural option. Scrub gently with a soft-bristled brush, rinse thoroughly with a hose, and — most importantly — let the cushions dry completely in the sun or air so they don’t develop mildew. Always check your cushion’s care label first, and remove and machine-wash the covers only if the label allows. Here’s the full guide by stain and material.

How to clean outdoor cushions

The first thing to know is that not all cushions are cleaned the same way — wet cushions need a different approach than pollen-covered ones, and the right method depends on the fabric and the type of mess. Here are the situations you’re most likely to run into:

• Dirt and pollen
• Humidity and mildew
• Wet cushions from rain
• Grass stains
• Food and drink stains
• Animal hair and marks

Below we cover the best ways to clean each. Whatever method you use, check the cushion’s care label first, since some fabrics (like Sunbrella) have specific recommendations.

A few mindful tips first

• The methods below are mostly for deep cleaning. Don’t deep clean too often — it wears down the upholstery and cushion fill over time.
• Do a light cleaning weekly, even if you don’t see dirt — just wipe the cushions with a damp rag and let them dry.
• Spot-clean when you can rather than washing the whole cover. Machine-washing should be a last resort, and only if the care label allows it.

What to clean outdoor cushions with

You can use store-bought products or simple homemade solutions — both work well.

Cleaning outdoor cushions with OxiClean

OxiClean (an oxygen-bleach-based cleaner) is a good choice for tougher stains and is gentler on fabric than chlorine bleach. Here’s how to use it.

Materials

• Bucket
• OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover
• Soft-bristle brush
• Cloth

Steps

1. Mix OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover with warm water. For harder stains, make the mix more concentrated.
2. Apply the solution to the stain with a cloth — since outdoor cushions are usually water-resistant, you don’t need to wring it out completely; the goal is to get the solution onto the stain.
3. Gently scrub with the soft-bristled brush to loosen dried-on dirt. Don’t scrub too hard, which can fray or pull the fabric threads.
4. Rinse with clean water and let it dry fully in the sun.

For stubborn stains, leave the solution on for about 20 minutes before wiping it down with a wet cloth.

Cleaning outdoor cushions with borax

Borax combined with dish soap makes another effective deep-cleaning solution — and yes, Dawn works well as the dish soap here.

Materials

• Bucket
• 1 tablespoon borax
• 1 teaspoon Dawn or similar dish soap
• 4 cups water
• Soft-bristle brush
• Cloth

Steps

1. Combine 4 cups of water with 1 teaspoon of Dawn and 1 tablespoon of borax. Mix well.
2. Remove the cushion covers if you can. Shake out loose debris first, or vacuum the covers to get it all.
3. Apply a generous amount of the solution with a cloth, scrub gently with the soft-bristled brush while wet, and let it sit at least 15 minutes.
4. Rinse with clean water — either soak the cover and air dry, or wipe the solution off with a fresh cloth and clean water.

Tip: clean your vacuum occasionally so it keeps running well. Borax and dish soap lift most stains and are especially good on greasy food stains — handy for cushions near the grill.

Homemade solutions for patio furniture

If you’d rather skip store-bought products that may contain harsh chemicals — especially with kids and pets around — these natural options work well.

Vinegar

Mix white distilled vinegar and water in a spray bottle (use more vinegar for dirtier cushions — about a 2:3 vinegar-to-water ratio). Spray it onto the cushions, scrub with a brush or sponge, and let them dry in a clean spot.

Baking soda

Baking soda is a good gentle alternative. For general cleaning, dissolve a few tablespoons in a quart of warm water, wipe it over the cushions, then rinse thoroughly and let dry. For a specific stain or odor, make a paste of baking soda and a little water, apply it, let it dry, then brush and rinse it off.

How to wash outdoor cushions in the washing machine

If you’re short on time, you can machine-wash the covers — though hand-washing is gentler. Only do this if the care label allows it.

Steps

1. Remove the covers from the cushions. If the covers don’t come off, don’t use this method — putting a whole cushion in the machine can damage the machine and deform the cushion.
2. Set the machine to the gentlest cycle and cold water (hot water can fade the dye). Wash the covers on their own, not with other laundry.
3. Don’t put the covers in the dryer, which can shrink them — air dry instead.

A clothesline is ideal for drying, but skip the outdoors if it’s windy and you live somewhere dusty or sandy. If your furniture collects a lot of dust, vacuum it before cleaning.

How to clean patio cushions with mildew

Mildew is the grayish-black, musty dusting that forms when furniture stays damp in warm, humid conditions — it often appears on cushions stored in a basement over the off-season. Here’s how to deal with it.

Important: Many outdoor fabrics — especially Sunbrella and other solution-dyed acrylics — should NOT be cleaned with chlorine bleach, which can damage or discolor them. Check your care label first; if bleach isn’t recommended, use oxygen bleach (like OxiClean), a vinegar solution, or a dedicated mildew remover instead. If you do use diluted bleach on a bleach-safe white or light fabric, never mix it with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaners (this creates toxic fumes), work in a well-ventilated area with gloves and eye protection, and keep the solution away from plants, which it will kill.

You’ll need

• Oxygen bleach (or diluted chlorine bleach only if your fabric allows)
• Mild dish soap
• Spray bottle
• Hose
• Enzyme cleaner
• Soft-bristled brush
• Towels
• Gloves and eye protection

Steps

1. Work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, wearing gloves and eye protection.
2. Combine water, a little dish soap, and your chosen cleaner in a spray bottle, close it, and shake to mix.
3. Spray generously onto the affected area and scrub the mildew away with the brush.
4. Rinse, then apply an enzyme cleaner — this is the step that actually kills the mildew and helps keep it from returning (bleach lifts the stain but doesn’t reliably kill the spores).
5. Dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated area, then take preventive steps — cover or store the furniture properly for the season.

Frequently asked questions

How do you clean Sunbrella outdoor cushions?

Sunbrella is one of the most common — and highest-quality — outdoor fabrics, and it handles the methods above well. The manufacturer recommends natural solutions like a mild soap or vinegar and water rather than harsh store-bought cleaners, which keeps the color strong and the fabric from breaking down, plus a soft bristle brush for tougher debris. Avoid chlorine bleach unless Sunbrella’s own guidance for your specific fabric allows it.

How do you clean cushions without removable covers?

Be careful how wet they get — soaking the inner cushion can cause mildew, mold, and permanent damage, since even water-resistant fill is hard to dry. Spot-clean rather than soak, avoid a hose or dripping rags directly on the cushion, and focus on drying it out fully afterward.

Is it safe to use bleach?

It’s better to start with borax, OxiClean, or vinegar and baking soda — chlorine bleach can discolor or weaken many outdoor fabrics if not used carefully, and shouldn’t be used on Sunbrella and similar materials at all. If you do use it on a bleach-safe fabric, dilute it, test a hidden spot first, and never mix it with other cleaners. Natural and oxygen-bleach options are generally the safer choice.