Spending time on your patio in the summer is a treat that comes with the longer days and warm weather of the season. It also means that you’ll be cleaning up your patio more than usual. While patio furniture and flooring are pretty straightforward to clean, patio cushions need extra love. These cushions are more susceptible to getting dirty and moldy due to rain and high humidity during the summer. Spot cleaning your patio cushions is great, but power washing your cushions is the best way to keep them in tip-top shape.

How Often Should You Power Wash Your Cushions?

Don’t just clean your cushion once a year before storing them away until next summer. If your cushions have stains, mold, or mildew, it’s a good sign to clean them. The frequency of how often you clean your cushions depends on weather conditions and how dirty your cushions get.

There are fabric protectant sprays you can purchase to waterproof your cushions. Some cushions come with a water-resistant finish, like those made from Sunbrella fabric. It’s best to check the manufacturer’s recommendations before applying a protectant spray.

How To Pressure Wash Your Patio Cushions

Pressure washing your patio cushions is a great way to ensure stains, mold, and mildew are eliminated. Use a pressure washer on low and stand at a distance to get a thorough clean. Beware of standing too close to the cushions when pressure washing, as it can damage the fabric.

Preparation Is Key

Remove the cushions from your patio furniture and give them a shake to remove loose dirt and debris. Place the cushions on a clean, flat surface, like a concrete driveway or a sturdy table covered with tarp to protect it from water and cleaning solutions. Avoid pressure washing your patio cushions on the grass or dirt.

Read the care instructions on your patio cushions. If the cleaning guidelines say to avoid power washing, consider alternative cleaning methods.

Pre-Treat Stains

If there are hard-to-clean stains on your patio cushions, pre-treat them before power washing. You can spot-treat stains with a mild detergent or a stain remover appropriate for the fabric type. Gently rub the solution into the stubborn stain with a soft cloth or brush. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before power washing.

Rinse Cushions

Make sure to not power wash your patio cushions on high pressure. This can tear the fabric and allow moisture to seep into the cushion, causing mold and mildew issues. Test the pressure on a small area of the cushion to ensure that it’s a suitable pressure.

Wet the cushion with a bucket of clean water before using the power washer. This helps to allow the cleaning solution to penetrate deeper into the fabric.

Start from the top of the cushions with the power washer to rinse the cleaning solution off. Stay one to two feet away from the cushion to avoid damage. Move the nozzle in small, sweeping motions and give stubborn stains extra attention.

Rinse Until Clean

After power washing, make sure that the cushions are thoroughly rinsed with clean water. If there are remaining stains, repeat the process if needed.

Air Dry

Once the cushions are rinsed, gently squeeze out extra water. Do not wring or twist the cushions. Place the cushions in a well-ventilated area to air dry completely. Once fully dried, return to your patio furniture and fluff them to restore their shape. Do not place your cushions in direct sunlight or extreme heat as this can cause fading and damage to the fabric.