How to Clean Outdoor Cushions — And Get Them Looking Fresh Again for Sunnier Days
A professional guide to preparing your outdoor living space with effortlessly clean soft furnishings

Outdoor cushions add comfort and style to your patio or garden — but in order for them to look good (for longer), they require proper care to remain fresh and inviting. Regular cleaning will help prevent spills and stains from settling, in turn prolonging their lifespan and ensuring they stay as good as new.
It can be tempting to leave your cushions outdoors but to get the most out of your stylish finds in the long run; it's best to take them indoors and clean them. But how should you do this?
So, for this integral part of how to clean patio furniture, we've got you covered with this simple guide to cleaning outdoor cushions. Keep reading to discover how to clean your outdoor cushions and why you should do this semi-regularly.
What You'll Need
Instead of replacing your outdoor sofa cushions, why not give it a refresh and bring it back to what it once was? Impress guests and dress your patio for upcoming parties by following this cleaning guide.
But before you get started, you'll need the right products. These include:
- Mild detergent, such as this Dawn Platinum Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap from Amazon
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- A soft-bristle brush — This KONEX Bristle Brush for Cleaning is available on Amazon.
- Hand-held vacuum
- Sponge
- Microfibre cloth. We love these Mr Siga Microfiber Cleaning Cloths from Walmart
- Water
- A fabric protector spray for long-term maintenance is like this 303 Products Fabric Guard from Walmart.
How to Clean Outdoor Cushions
There are a few things people with perfect-looking outdoor furniture always do, and that includes giving your pieces a refresh every so often. Here, cleaning experts dive into what you should do to carefully clean your outdoor cushions ahead of the warmer months.
Step 1: Preparation before cleaning — Take a good look at your cushions and determine how dirty they are. Muffetta Kreuger from Muffetta’s Housekeeping says, "Identify the material of your cushions and check care labels to determine the appropriate cleaning method. Remove loose dirt and debris with a handheld vacuum or upholstery attachment."
Step 2: Mix warm water and mild detergent — Grab a bucket of warm water and squeeze a generous amount of mild detergent into it. This is when you can decide whether you require a microfibre cloth if your cushions aren't too dirty, a sponge if you need something firmer, or a soft-bristled brush if you’re trying to tackle tough marks and stains.
David Harris, design director at Andrew Martin, insists that "cleaning outdoor fabrics should be easy as long as they are of good quality. You can simply rinse them with water or spot-clean using a solution of mild soap and water and that will do the job."
Step 3: Tackle tougher stains — If the water and detergent haven’t quite worked, then you’ll want to try something a bit stronger. "Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle," explains Muffetta. "Apply the solution to affected areas and let it sit for 15 minutes. Gently scrub and rinse thoroughly. You can always mix the white vinegar with baking soda to form a paste or a commercial mold remover if needed."
Step 4: Time to dry — Once you’re satisfied that you’ve cleaned your outdoor cushions properly and have got rid of all the marks and stains, it’s time to let them dry. Air-dry in direct sunlight to prevent mold and mildew.
David is the Fabric and Wallpaper Director at the global design brand, Andrew Martin. Based in London, he specialises in the fabric and wallpaper design categories at Andrew Martin, curating unique collections and products, resulting in characterful home décor for the globally admired interior brand.
FAQS
Why Should I clean My Outdoor Cushions?
Garden furniture and soft furnishings are out in the elements and can go through a lot — depending on the season. Muffetta agrees and says, "Outdoor cushions are exposed to dirt, pollen, rain and spills, which can lead to unsightly stains, odors and even health risks from bacteria."
"Routine maintenance for your outdoor cushions ensures longevity and comfort, and will ensure your patio or garden looks appealing and inviting."
Muffetta Krueger is a driving force in the domestic service business, with over 15 years of operational management experience in the industry. As a domestic service provider and executive, she understands what clients are looking for.
Can I use Dawn Soap to Clean Cushions?
"Yes! Dawn dish soap is an excellent cleaner for outdoor cushions. Its gentle formula removes dirt and grease without harming fabrics. Combine it with warm water for a reliable, effective solution," claims Muffetta.
If a gentle detergent such as Dawn doesn’t quite cut it, then trying a tougher stain remover, whether that's a natural concoction or a dedicated cleaning product, should do the trick — like this AL-NEW Patio Cushion Cleaner from Amazon.
And that's it! It's pretty simple to clean your outdoor cushions, but if you're looking to tackle a few more household cleaning tasks along the way, why not freshen up your patio ideas ahead of the spring and summer months?
If you love to dine al fresco and host parties in outdoor living spaces, it's important to give your home the time and energy it needs. After all, elegance and class can only be found in properly maintained spaces.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
Becca Cullum-Green is a freelance interiors content creator and stylist. She fell in love with interiors when she landed her first job as an editorial assistant at a leading UK homes magazine fresh out of university. You can find her renovating her 19th-century cottage in the Suffolk countryside, consciously trying not to paint every wall with Farrow and Ball’s ‘Pitch Black’. Her signature style is a mix of modern design with traditional characteristics. She has previously worked for House Beautiful, Grand Designs, Good Housekeeping, Red, Good Homes and more.
-
Dinner Parties Are My Love Language — Here's 12 Pieces I'm Setting My Valentine's Day Table With This Year
The loveliest holiday of the year is here, and I've fallen in love with these chic holiday-themed table decorations
By Devin Toolen Published
-
Beware the "Three-Sided" Living Room — Interior Designer Christian Bense on This Mistake, and Designing a Versatile Space
Designer Christian Bense knows that a perfect living room should cater to all the sides of your personality, and what pieces allow to be both calm and to have a party
By Christian Bense Published
-
7 Things Minimalists Throw Out Every Day for a Tidier Home — That You Should, Too
These things take mere moments to remove from your home but are a great start to having a tidier space
By Ciéra Cree Published
-
How to Make Feng Shui Work for a Small Apartment — 5 Ways to Positive Energy Flow, Even in a Shoebox
Want to bring balance and harmony to your small apartment? Here's how experts make Feng Shui work when space is at a premium
By Lilith Hudson Published
-
How to Clean Curtains Without Taking Them Down — Because That's Just Way Too Much Work
Despite your best efforts, curtains can get dirty pretty easily. But what can you do before you need to call in the professionals? Here's how to try spot-cleaning them
By Ciéra Cree Published
-
How to Clean Sheer Curtains — Glam Up Your Elegant and Soft Furnishings in Just 4 Simple Steps
Protect your sheers by using this professional step-by-step guide. You won't regret it!
By Seraphina Kyprios Published
-
How to Organize a Kitchen With No Pantry — 6 Things You Can Do to Make Storing Food So Much Easier
A pantry may be handy, but it isn't the be all and end all of your kitchen's ability to be organized
By Ciéra Cree Published
-
Are Fake Plants Bad Feng Shui? Probably Not, but You Shouldn't Put Them in These Places
The answer is not what we thought but let's just say we won't be discarding our faux foliage anytime soon
By Amiya Baratan Published
-
Winter, Summer, Spring, or Autumn — When Is the Best Time to Declutter Your Home?
Why put off today what you'll only need to do tomorrow? Well, there might be a best time to tackle your decluttering projects, say these experts
By Becca Cullum-Green Published
-
How to Organize Low Kitchen Cabinets — 6 Ways To Sort Hard-to-Reach Storage That Make So Much Sense
Your low, closed storage doesn't have to be unapproachable if you know how to keep it organized. Here's an easy guide
By Ciéra Cree Published