How to Clean Fabric Outdoor Chairs

Keeping outdoor furniture chairs spotless and set for guests isn't always easy. The patio furniture takes a beating. One spilled glass of red wine, a tomato sauce hot dog, or too much oily sunscreen, and the once-beautiful outdoor furniture is now covered in stains. You've got a formula for mildew and mold atop everything else when you add in the moisture from occasional spring or autumn rain showers.

After careful love and care, even the dirtiest materials and furniture can appear brand new again. Try a little bottle of specialized cleaning agent and protectant rather than spending big bucks on new chairs, tables, cushions, umbrellas, and covers.

Fortunately, most patio furniture chairs have removable coverings that you may wash on the mild cycle in a washing machine. (Thank heavens for slipcovers with zippers!) Even if the patio chairs don't have changeable covers, you may clean them in time for summer enjoyment by following these simple tips on how to clean outdoor chairs.

Preparation for Cleaning Outdoor Cushions

Before you begin cleaning, do some preliminary tasks to ensure your success:

• Check the cushions for a maintenance tag and read all the manufacturer directions. (What, no care label?) Look up the manufacturer's name on the internet and see if it has some information available.)

• To ensure the effectiveness of any cleaners or remedies, test them in an inconspicuous area.
• Choose a garden location where you can wash the chairs without harming the plants with detergent and other cleaning products runoff.
• Ensure the area where you'll be cleaning the cushions isn't muddy. A tarp might be the best option.

How Often Should You Clean?

Don't put off treating stains until the end of the summer. The stain determines the kind of stain remover you require. Carbona ProCare Oxy Powered Outdoor Cleaner is a good all-around cleaner. Outdoor fabrics benefit from the foaming effect and built-in scrub tool. 

Allowing the treatment enough time to work is crucial to its success. Give at least 30 minutes for the product to absorb to help loosen the stains. However, do not forget to wash the steel, plastic, and rattan furniture while you're cleaning the seats. 

Note that, when not using the outdoor chairs, tuck your seats and furniture into water-resistant coverings to help extend their lifespan and keep them tidy.

What you Might Require

• A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment
• Brush with a soft-bristle
• Dishwashing liquid
• Borax
• Water 
• Water hose
• a fresh towel

First, vacuum up any loose trash.

Vacuum the chair's surface with the upholstery attachment to eliminate loose dirt, debris, or dust. Keep an eye out for dirt-hiding seams and cracks, and be cautious around hooks and other intricate details. You can also use a gentle bristled brush to scrub away grime softly.

Scrub using a cleaning solution.

In your bucket of water, combine 1 tablespoon dish detergent with 14 cups of Borax. Brush the whole surface with a brush soaked in the cleaning solution, going back over stained spots as needed. Allow the mixture to soak for about five minutes.

Using a yard hose, rinse the cushions.

Rinse the seats with a garden hose set to medium-high pressure. Ensure to rinse away all the cleaning solutions. Avoid using a pressure washer since it may harm the fabric.

Allow drying completely.

Using your hands, wring out any extra water, and dab the material with a clean towel to absorb as much wetness as possible.

Let the seat air dry thoroughly by propping them upright. Set the chairs out in the sun to hasten the drying process.

How to Clean Outdoor Cushions with Vinegar

Cleaning patio cushions with vinegar is a natural cleaning technique. Fill a spray bottle with a quarter cup of distilled white vinegar and four cups of warm water. Spray the mixture on the chairs after vacuuming on the surface and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes. Scrub any discolored areas with a gentle brush. Allow the air to dry after rinsing with water.

Stains on Patio Furniture and Pillows: How to Remove Them

• Mildew: Scrub the fabric with a soft-bristled brush while the cloth is still damp to remove mildew spores. Apply a mixture of one tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent and a teaspoon of crushed oxygen bleach to the stains with the soft-bristled brush. Before you rinse, let the paste remain for about an hour.
• Oily and food stains: Apply a heavy-duty washing powder to each spot and rub it all together with a soft-bristled brush. Before rinsing, let it stay for about 15 minutes.
• Bird droppings: Suppose the bird dropping is wet; wait until it dries before you clean it. Remove any dry solids with a blunt knife or a bank card blade. Apply mild detergent to the spot, work it with the brush, and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. If the mark is dark from the fruits, the bird ate, mixing in a little powdered oxygen bleach with the detergent.
• Grass: Use a soft-bristled brush to apply a paste with one tablespoon of liquid washing powder and a teaspoon of powdered oxygen bleach to the stains. Allow at least 30 minutes for the paste to sit before rinsing. Scrub the discolored area with a scrubbing brush and a splash of heavy-duty laundry detergent. Allow fifteen minutes before cleaning the area with a scrubber.

Take Away

Patios and poolside areas are more attractive and comfortable with outdoor cushions, canopies, pillows, and umbrellas. However, they are exposed to damage from unclean feet and the elements, and you must clean them frequently to eliminate grime and stains.

Most outdoor chairs and pillows are coated with a water and stain-resistant coating. Renew the coating or use a protective linen spray to preserve untreated fabrics. Ensure the cushions are fully clean before using the spray to minimize sealing in stains or dirt.

If you can't get the cover off your outdoor furniture chairs, use a basic cleaning product and the garden hose to renew them. To prevent causing grass stains or new mud on your outdoor chairs, do that on a firm outdoor surface like a deck or patio.