Patio cushions outside are sometimes challenging to keep clean. The dust, rain, and snow falling is inevitable really,s sometimes your stuff just gets dirty in the backyard. Sunbrella patio pillows are popular and a good quality product, but can you wash them in the washing machine?
Yes, you can wash Sunbrella cushion covers in the washing machine in cold water. Avoid placing them in a dryer and let them air dry by hanging them up.
Caring for your Sunbrella cushion covers and material is more than just cleaning them in the washing machine. So, while answering that they can, let’s also look at how to wash Sunbrella cushion the right way.
How to Properly Wash Sunbrella Cushion Covers in Washing Machine
When it comes to cleaning your Sunbrella cushion covers, the instructions that you need to remember are relatively simple, here they are:
- Always close zippers before placing them in the washing machine.
- Choose a delicate washing cycle.
- Always use cold water.
- Add a regular amount of mild laundry detergent.
- Don’t put it in the dryer.
Does Sunbrella Fabric Shrink in a Dryer?
Yes. Never dry Sunbrella textiles in your dryer. Sunbrella fabrics are coated with a fluorocarbon finish throughout the finishing process to increase their water repellency. Sunbrella is a thermoplastic or heat-sensitive fabric made entirely of acrylic fibers.
That means that whenever you clean them, you want to avoid exposing the fabric to excessive heat. Aside from dryers, you also want to avoid steam pressing it.
How to Dry the Cushion Covers After Cleaning
It’s always best to leave your cushion covers and other fabrics out to air dry. The easiest method is to clip them on your clothesline outside during a nice day. If you do not have a clothesline you can place them outside on a drying rack or just in a position where they can properly dry. As mentioned before, avoid excessive heat as this can shrink the Sunbrella fabric.
Alternative Ways to Clean Your Sunbrella Cushion Covers
The Soap, Bleach, and Water Method
There are five easy steps to this method of cleaning:
- Combine ¼ cup Dawn dish soap with 1 cup of bleach per gallon of water.
- Rinse the cushion to get rid of any dust.
- Take a bristle brush or a sponge, dip it into the solution and apply it on the cushion.
- Scrub down the cushions and remember to go around all the sides for a thorough cleaning.
- Let it soak for about five minutes so the bleach can do its work.
- Grab your garden hose and rinse the cushion to eliminate the detergent and chemicals inside the fabric. Pay close attention to the zipper area, as detergent residue can damage it in the long term.
- Leave it on the side to air dry.
If you spot stains and spills as they happen, cleaning a Sunbrella cushion is even easier, as it will likely come right off when cleaned in time. You can use water and soap for fresh or easy stains, skipping the bleach altogether. Spray, scrub, let it sit, rinse, and air dry. It’s that simple.
The Cornstarch Method
According to Sunbrella, you can also use the cornstarch method to help deal with oil-based spills. The steps to follow are pretty straightforward in this case as well:
- Apply the corn starch immediately to the oil-based spill.
- Allow ten minutes before removing any surplus with a straight edge or ruler. This assists in removing the spill and keeps it from being embedded in the cloth.
- After that, carry out the cleaning procedure.
The Dish Liquid, Vinegar, and Water
The thing about Sunbrella fabrics is that they offer different cleaning solutions and mixtures for getting rid of varying stain categories. For instance, let’s assume that you have berry stains on your Sunbrella cushions, and you want to get rid of them.
All you have to do is mix ¼ cup of dishwashing liquid with a half cup or full cup of white vinegar into a gallon of water. The remainder of the steps is always the same: apply, scrub, let soak, rinse, and let air dry.
Other Stains & Cleaning Methods
While most of the cleaning process stays the same, Sunbrella offers different mixtures for different types of spills and stains, so here are some of the most common ones:
- To remove tea, milk, raw egg, coffee, or ketchup/mustard, mix ¼ cup of dishwasher soap for each gallon of water.
- To get rid of dried blood, mix ¼ cup of dishwashing liquid with one cup of ammonia per gallon of water.
- Is chewing gum stuck to the fabric? Treat it with isopropyl alcohol and clean it with ¼ cup of dishwasher liquid per gallon of water.
How Often Should I Clean My Sunbrella Fabric?
You should clean your Sunbrella fabric whenever it gets dirty, making sure you remove stains as soon as they occur. This way, you can prolong the lifespan of your Sunbrella cushion. Plus, the sooner you deal with stains as soon as they occur, the less effort you have to put in to get rid of them.
For convenient day-to-day care of your Sunbrella fabric, proceed with the following steps:
- Brush away any loose dirt.
- Spray a cleaning solution made from mild soap and water onto the surface.
- Clean with a gentle bristle brush.
- Allow time for the cleaning solution to penetrate the fabric.
- Rinse vigorously to eliminate all soap residue.
- Allow to air dry.
Read Related: Can You Wash Patio Furniture Covers in the Washing Machine?
Final Thoughts
While you can wash Sunbrella cushion covers in the washing machine, you can sometimes deal with spills in faster and more efficient ways. Also, it’s imperative to remember that putting Sunbrella fabrics in the dryer is not an option.
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.