Your outdoor cushions take a beating from use and weather. Learn how to clean outdoor cushions like a professional to keep them looking fresh and beautiful!
Every spring I get our outdoor area ready for the warm weather. I wipe down the furniture and pull out my dusty, musty outdoor cushions that have spent the winter hiding in storage.
After a long winter stored away (or getting battered by the elements), outdoor cushions need some freshening up to get them ready for spring and summer use.
Make cleaning outdoor cushions part of your spring cleaning routine. I’m spilling my top tips and tricks for getting your outdoor furniture gleaming so you can sit outside and enjoy it without fear of wearing the grime!
How To Clean Outdoor Cushions
Do you want to know my secret to great-looking outdoor cushions? It’s BISSELL Professional Carpet Deep Cleaning with Febreze™.
Did you think a BISSELL carpet cleaning machine was only for carpets? Think again!
It helped me remove the dirt that was embedded in my cushions and freshened them with the smell of Febreze. But wait, there’s more! The surprise bonus is that Scotchgard is included in the cleaning to help prevent dirt and stains in the future.
The dogs will be oh-so-pleased with our clean and fresh-smelling cushions! And I am thrilled that they will not be able to stain them again.
Process For Cleaning Outdoor Cushions
Y’all, this process is SO simple! You’re going to be amazed at how well it works, too! Here’s how:
- Fill your BISSELL carpet cleaner with hot water and cleaner according to the instructions that came with your particular machine.
- Clean the cushions with your upholstery attachment.
Super easy, right?
The picture below shows that I had cleaned the right side of the cushion while the left is still dirty. It was amazing just how much dirt came out of these little cushions.
Here’s an up-close shot to show more detail. Those stains, mildew, and grime came right out using my BISSELL carpet cleaner.
I was so happy to get another year out of these cushions – saving money makes me happy!
Tips For How To Clean Outdoor Cushions
Since each model will operate slightly differently, make sure to follow the instructions for your specific BISSELL model.
If you clean your cushions once and don’t feel like they got as clean as they could have, clean them again! I had to do that with a couple of areas on my cushions, and everything got nice and clean the second time around.
Here’s one more side-by-side shot for you just so you can get a good comparison.
These cushions are now ready for a summer of fun and front porch rocking.
A BISSELL Is Good For So Much More Than Cleaning Outdoor Cushions
Are you on the fence about getting your own BISSELL carpet cleaner?
Well, you know that you can clean carpets and now outdoor cushions. Here are 10 more items you can clean with your carpet cleaner as well.
Grab your own and use that BISSELL Professional Carpet Deep Cleaning with Febreze™ to make your outdoor cushions look like mine! When was the last time your outdoor cushions got that kind of love?
FAQs
Here are a couple of questions that readers frequently ask about cleaning outdoor cushions. If you have a question, please check to see if I’ve already answered it below. Don’t see it? Leave it for me in the comments!
How do you clean removable outdoor cushion covers?
This method with the BISSELL works for cushions that don’t have removable covers. If your outdoor cushions have removable covers, I recommend taking the covers off and putting them into the washing machine on a gentle cycle with a mild cleaning detergent.
Don’t put the cushion itself into the washing machine or it could cause it to get moldy.
Can you put outdoor cushions in the dryer?
After you wash your cushions, let them air dry. Do not put them into the dryer or use heat on them because the heat will damage the foam and cause the materials to lose their shape.
I hope this post showed just how easy it is to use your BISSELL to clean your outdoor cushions! Happy spring cleaning!
More Cleaning Inspiration
Once you learn how to clean outdoor cushions, take your cleaning motivation to other parts of the house with these posts.
- Secrets for Cleaning Your Stove and Oven
- Cleaning with Epsom Salts
- Baking Soda Cleaning Solutions: 25 Ways to Use in Your Home
- 15 Minutes a Day Cleaning Schedule Free Printable
- 30 Minutes Cleaning Schedule for Deep Cleaning Your Home
- Naturally Cleaning With Vinegar: 25 Awesome Tips!
Want to see my favorite cleaning supplies and products?
I have gathered all of the products I love using around my home into one great section of my Amazon storefront. You can click here to shop! If you’re looking for just about anything to clean your home, I probably have an option that you will love!
I love my Bissell! And I really need to pull it out to do a little spring cleaning! Thanks for the reminder!
THis is on my investment list! I can think of a 100 things in my house that could use a little refreshing!
What a great job the Bissell does!
My spring cleaning tip – don’t just wash your windows-remember to clean out all the dead bugs, and dirt (we live on a gravel road), that get trapped between the screen and the glass. – mvemother@gmail.com
What a difference that makes! I’ve got tons of stuff like that I could clean with a Bissell.
My spring cleaning tip – write a list of everything that needs to be done. When finished, mark the date you completed the job. Then in the fall, or next spring, you will know when you completed each job and which ones need to be done again!
Don’t forget to dust/clean around your a/c vents in the house! A duster with a long pole works great. You’d be surprised how dirty the wall & ceiling can get!
Seriously considering purchasing a carpet cleaner –will definitely look into a Bissell!
I have some outdoor cushions that need to be cleaned!
Use microfiber cloths to clean windows. They do a fabulous job without using harsh chemicals.
I had a Bissell carpet cleaner years ago and used it often until it went to the appliance heaven. I would love a new Bissell!
Use microfiber cloths to clean windows. They do a fabulous job without using harsh chemicals.
I had a Bissell carpet cleaner years ago and used it often until it went to the appliance heaven. I would love a new Bissell!
I’ve borrowed my friends Bissell Carpet Cleaner several times…it works great! Would love to have my own…especially with a puppy in the house. I use an old stiff brush to clean the runners of my storm windows, then vacuum the muck out.
Am cursing myself for not buying some outdoor cushions last week at Habitat. We inherited an outside table/chairs/umbrella/umbrella holder last summer along with 5 chickens and their coop etc. but no cushions. Chairs will be kinda uncomfy without cushions.
Our budget just doesn’t have room for cushions.
Could have borrowed daughters carpet cleaner and gotten cushions nice and clean. They were pretty dirty, could see from ways away. Will keep an eye out for carpet cleaner at Target or Lowe’s, on sale preferably, (or maybe even Habitat) .
Good to know about that cleaner. Happy week Angie
Pretty cool! I didn’t know that you could use a carpet cleaner on cushions! I would love to try BISSELL on my sofa cushions! (Will try just one first and see how it works!)
Love my Bessel carpet cleaner have used it to do my larger area rugs for years and am excited to try on my outdoor cushions which are really in bad shape from mildew. I will get back with how we did!
They looks great! I have never used Bissell. I am going to use it. I have tons of things which I should clean. I am so happy I have found your article! Greetings!
I cant believe I hadn’t thought of this before, using the carpet cleaner on cushions! My tip is just to vacuum often – as with warmer weather comes more feet going in and out bringing in the crud.
Thanks for sharing this process! I was recently given some patio furniture from my friend who was moving, and it needed some major cleaning work. I usually just get all my indoor and outdoor upholstery cleaned once a year by a local carpet cleaning company and they do great work. But for just some old patio furniture, I thought I could clean it myself. Your method worked very well and I will definitely use it again. Thank you so much!!
Hello! Loved the advice on cleaning outdoor cushions. We have beige Sunbrella cushions with removable covers. I was going to wash them in cold with gentle soap. Should I let them air dry halfway then fit them back onto the cushions and put them outside to dry? I’m afraid of them shrinking and not fitting after I wash them
Sorry I don’t have any experience with those.