Furniture manufacturers make the fabric on your outdoor furniture tough enough to withstand weathering. But if you don’t properly care for the fabric, it can look tired, worn out, and dirty.
Keep up with your outdoor furniture to continue enjoying your outdoor living space. Read these tips on how to take care of your outdoor furniture fabric.
Regularly Sweep the Fabric
A light dusting won’t do much for outdoor fabrics. Instead, take a broom or soft-bristle brush and sweep the fabric. Doing this periodically will take care of dust, pollen, and other debris on a surface level before they have a chance to set in. You’ll need to do this more often in the spring and early summer, as furniture gets coated with pollen during these seasons.
You also want to sweep the fabric before you do any scrubbing. If you neglect this step, you could end up working the dirt into the fabric and creating stains.
Follow the Manufacturer’s Care Guidelines
There are different types of outdoor fabrics, and what works for one furniture set might not work for yours. That’s why reading the product label is a key step in taking care of your outdoor furniture fabric. Reading the manufacturer’s instructions can help you clean the fabric efficiently and effectively. The best general rule is to clean with the gentlest cleaning solution that still gets the job done.
Wash With a Mild Cleaning Solution
Manufacturers typically give outdoor fabrics a chemical treatment that makes them more moisture- and stain-resistant. This treatment is one of the key differences between indoor and outdoor upholstery fabric. Even though the fabric is durable, you’ll still need to wash it with a gentle cleaner.
Follow the instructions on your manufacturer’s labels. Typically, a mild solution of dishwashing soap and warm water will work great! Below are the standard steps for cleaning outdoor fabric:
- Spray the solution onto the fabric and let it sit for about fifteen minutes.
- Use a sponge or brush and scrub the solution into the fabric in a circular motion. Don’t scrub too hard—you don’t want to pull at the fibers.
- Rinse the fabric completely. Don’t leave any solution on, or you can cause discoloration. Residue can also attract more dirt.
- Soak up excess moisture with a clean cloth.
- Let the fabric air-dry in the sun. The faster the fabric dries, the less chance it has of growing mildew. Stand cushions on their sides to allow more airflow.
