With the warm weather officially here, it’s time to give your outdoor set a good cleaning for the upcoming season.

After spending a long winter stowed away in your garage or basement, your outdoor pillows and cushions are in dire need of some love. Whether they’re holding onto last summer’s grime or are covered in a new layer of dust, taking the time to clean them is an easy way to make them look fresh and new.

Since most outdoor pillows and cushions are made of hearty water-resistant fabrics to withstand the elements, they’re generally simple to clean with a good scrub. 

We suggest doing this on a sunny day to give them plenty of time to dry off. Plus, the sun acts as a natural disinfectant for an extra boost of cleanliness. 

Materials

• Vacuum 
• Scrub brush 
• Water (in a bucket or hose)
• Dish soap
• Distilled white vinegar 
• Borax 

How to clean your outdoor pillows

1. Vacuum the cushions

First, you’ll want to get off any loose debris and dirt lingering on your cushions. If the cushions and pillows have zip-off covers, this is the time to remove them for even easier cleaning.

2. Scrub with a cleaning solution 

We suggest two main cleaning solutions for pillows—a mixture of dish soap and borax, or good old white vinegar. 

For the first method, mix together one tablespoon of dish detergent with ¼ cup of Borax in a bucket of warm water. Scrub your cushions and pillows with the concoction, then let it sit for about five minutes.

If you prefer a more eco-friendly solution, mix a ¼ cup of vinegar into a bucket of warm water and scrub. Let this mixture sit for around 15 minutes.

3. Rinse 

After letting the cleaning solution do its magic, give your pillows and cushions a good rinse with a bucket of water or your garden hose. 

4. Let air dry 

Lay your pillows and cushions out in a sunny spot to let them air dry. Depending on if the covers are removable, this could take up to day. 

5. Protect your pillows

If you want to take an extra step to prep your cushions and pillows for the upcoming season, give them a spritz with an outdoor fabric protector. 
 

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