How to Clean and Protect Your Garden Cushions

RHS 5ft Chelsea bench cushion care

The cushions we use on our garden furniture get exposed to all sorts of elements and potential hazards. Spills, compressions, and the accidental splash of rain are all too common for our outdoor cushions, so it’s important to keep them well maintained.

Of course, no one wants this to happen to their precious cushions. After all, they are a staple of comfort and relaxation, so keeping them clean and hygienic is paramount to enjoying their full benefits.

Thankfully, keeping your outdoor garden cushions clean is a simple task. From restoring old cushions to keeping them protected in the future, this guide will run through some of the recommended ways of ensuring your cushions last as long as they should.

What Can You Use To Clean Garden Cushions?

By far the best way to keep your outdoor cushions clean is to use a specialised cleaning solution, like the ones included in our Fabric, Rope and Upholstery Complete Care Kit.

The kit includes two scrubbing pads, a fabric cleaner/protector and three application cloths. With built-in nanotechnology, the fabric protection spray provides a protective shield around the entire cushion, leaving it less susceptible to accidents. The included sprays are 100% water based, meaning less hazardous chemicals and a more environmentally friendly cleaning solution. Feel free to use it on more than just your cushions; this kit is great for fabric sofas, rope, upholstery, and parasol canopies.

How to Clean Garden Cushions:

With our kit, cleaning your garden cushions couldn’t be simpler:

  1. Dust: Start by removing any loose dust and debris from your cushions by patting them down and shaking.
  2. Spray: On a small cloth, or with the included sponge, spray two to three squirts of our fabric cleaner and work into the cushion in a circular motion. Be sure to get both sides evenly.
  3. Dry: After cleaning, allow your cushions to dry for at least one hour, ideally in sunlight.
  4. Protect: Once dry, apply an even coat of our fabric protector directly to the cushions. Again, make sure you apply this evenly to ensure all-round protection.

How to Keep Outdoor Cushions Clean

Novero Recliner with sage cushion in the garden on the grass

While cleaning your garden cushions is a good idea every once in a while, it’s not something you’ll want to do all the time. Here’s how to reduce your reliance on cleaning:

Dust/Vacuum Regularly

Crumbs, dust, and dirt are all commonly found on outdoor cushions. One way of avoiding this is to give your cushions a quick vacuum or dusting regularly. Shaking and patting them down after a lot of use is enough, so don’t feel the need to go overboard.

Avoid Spills When Possible

This next tip is a little more difficult, especially given that cushions are usually right next to us when we’re relaxing with a glass of wine. However, when you notice a spill, you need to act fast with your cushions. Leaving the spill can result in tricky stains that are tough to remove.

Blot them dry, soak up what you can, and flush out the remaining liquid with clean water, being careful to not oversaturate the material. After that, leave it to dry and the risks of staining are significantly reduced.

Store Correctly

Remember, most garden cushions cannot be left outside all year long. That’s why we recommend storing your cushions in a cool, dry place when they’re not in use. If indoors isn’t an option, we recommend using one of our garden cushion storage boxes. Our Large Aluminium Storage Box, for example, is protected via a powder coat to create a protective barrier against any potential rust, allowing it to be kept outside even during heavy rain.

Find Durable, Comfortable Outdoor Cushions At KETTLER

Have your current garden cushions seen better days? Now could be the time to replace them.
KETTLER garden cushions are tailor-made to perfectly suit your existing KETTLER furniture. We have multiple designs and styles for various pieces of KETTLER furniture that are comfortable and durable.

Browse our collections today and start improving your garden’s comfort.