How to Clean Sunbrella Cushions

Easy ways to keep your Sunbrella cushions clean-, stain-, and mildew-free

Co-authored by Amber Crain

Last Updated: May 23, 2022

Sunbrella cushions are meant for outdoor use, so they are durable and made to withstand the elements. However, exposure and normal use will eventually result in dirt, grime and stains. While your Sunbrella cushions are resilient to many things, they must be cleaned with care to avoid damaging the special fabric. Mild soap, warm water and a soft-bristled brush will typically take care of most issues. A few additional techniques can be used to get rid of stains and mildew.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Dirt and Grime

1
Check for a manufacturer’s label. Examine your cushion seams – the manufacturer’s care label is usually sewn into one of them. If your cushion still has a care label attached, read the instructions provided before you proceed with cleaning. Make sure you stay within those guidelines, or you may void your warranty.^{[1]
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2
Create a mild soap and lukewarm water cleaning mixture. Combine ¼ cup (30 ml) of mild soap, like Dawn or Woolite, and a gallon of lukewarm water in a large bucket. Stir the solution until the soap dissolves completely.^{[2]
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3
Soak the fabric in the cleaning solution. Brush away loose dirt, then drench your cushions in the cleaning mixture. Let it sit for about 15 minutes so the fabric soaks it up. This will help break down the dirt and grime ingrained in the fabric.^{[3]
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4
Scrub the fabric with a soft bristle brush. Dunk your brush into the cleaning solution, then scrub the fabric vigorously with it. Keep the fabric soaked in the solution as you work. Be sure to scrub in the nooks and crannies surrounding the cushion seams.^{[4]
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5
Rinse the cushions thoroughly. Using fresh, clean water, rinse your cushions very well. You can use your water hose or a new bucket of water. Be sure that you wash away all soap residue. Letting it linger may damage the fabric.^{[5]
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6
Allow the fabric to air dry. Setting the cushions out in full sunlight can speed up this process. After your cushions have dried completely, you can put them back in their original places on your outdoor furniture.^{[6]
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- For extra resilience, try spraying your fully-dried cushions with Scotchguard before returning them to their places.^{[7]
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7
Put removable casings in your washing machine. Some Sunbrella cushions feature removable casings. Look for zippers on your cushions – if you find them, the outer shells can be removed. Unzip and separate the casings from the cushions, then zip the empty casings back up. Machine wash them in cold water using the delicate cycle and mild laundry detergent.^{[8]
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- Double check the care label to make sure machine washing is suggested for your particular cushions. In most cases it will be, but instructions can vary depending on the construction of the casing.
- After the cycle finishes, air dry the fabric and then replace the casings.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning Stains and Mildew

1
Spray the mild soap and water solution onto stains. When stains occur, Sunbrella suggests spot cleaning. Mix up the same solution you’d use for general cleaning in a spray bottle. Spray it directly on the stain and let it soak for at least 15 minutes.^{[9]
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2
Sprinkle corn starch on oily stains first. If you’ve spilled something oily, like sunscreen, it may stain the fabric. Sprinkle corn starch over the affected area. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then proceed with the cleaning process.^{[10]
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- Corn starch acts as an absorbent and helps to soak up the oily residue.
- Use a straight-edge or ruler to scrape away the dried corn starch after 10 minutes have passed.
3
Scrub the stain with a sponge or soft bristled brush. Scrub gently at and around the stain until it disappears. If the stain isn’t coming clean, reapply the cleaning solution and let it soak a little longer before scrubbing it again. Rinse the area with clean, fresh water to remove all soap residue. ^{[11]
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4
Blot at the area to soak up excess moisture. Dab a fresh towel or sponge at the spot, soaking up as much excess moisture as you can. If you have a wet-vac, that also works well. Allow the fabric to air dry the rest of the way.^{[12]
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5
Create a bleach, soap and water solution for mildew. Sunbrella cushions are formulated to prevent the growth of mold and mildew, but it can still occur. Combine 1 cup (120 ml) bleach, ¼ cup (30 ml) mild soap and a gallon of lukewarm water in a bucket. Pour it into a spray bottle.^{[13]
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6
Spray the fabric with the bleach solution. Be sure to mist the affected area thoroughly, but also apply it to the entire surface of the cushion. If you only concentrate on the affected spot, a water ring or light stain may form. Let the solution sit on the fabric for about 15 minutes.^{[14]
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7
Wipe down with a sponge or brush. After 15 minutes, wipe the surface of the cushions with a sponge or scrub with a soft bristle brush. To avoid rings and stains, be sure to clean the entire cushion from seam to seam. This should take care of even tough mold and mildew stains.^{[15]
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8
Rinse with fresh water and air dry the cushions. Thoroughly rinse your cushions to remove all traces of the bleach solution. Let them air dry. Setting them out in direct sunlight can help speed up the drying process.^{[16]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Cushions

1
Brush dirt off the fabric regularly. Outdoor cushions are going to get dirty – there’s no way around that. However, you can limit how dirty they get by brushing loose dirt from the surface whenever you notice it. This will prevent the dirt from becoming deeply ingrained in the fabric.^{[17]
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2
Wipe up spills as soon as possible. To limit staining, try to wipe the spilled substance from the cushions right after it happens. If that’s not possible, get rid of the spilled substance as soon as you notice it. The longer it sits on the fabric, the more ingrained the stain will become.^{[18]
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3
Blot gently at liquid spills. When a liquid spill occurs, use a clean cloth to blot the substance up. Never rub the spilled liquid, since this will force it deeper into the fabric fibers. After you’ve soaked up as much as possible, proceed with the spot cleaning technique.^{[19]
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- Don’t forget to sprinkle the corn starch on oil-based stains first.