(Photo Credit: Sunbrella)
After a long, hot summer, even tough outdoor fabrics need a reboot. Our favorite patterns and prints look great on the patio, but when they weather—well, the weather—every day, they can end up looking dingy and dirty before we know it. We have some expert tips below on how to keep your favorite outdoor fabrics looking great!
MAINTAIN
To keep your patio set looking fresh for every day entertaining, brush off any loose dirt to prevent it from penetrating the fabric.
If a little more cleaning is necessary, do a gentle cleaning of these fabrics to prevent set-in stains or discoloration. Dissolve a gentle detergent pac into a gallon of warm water and mix well. Scrub gently all over with a soft-bristled brush, and rinse thoroughly. Air-dry fabric, and stretch fabrics like seat or umbrella covers, etc. back over their corresponding frame to avoid shrinking.
SPOT-CLEAN
Sometimes backyard entertaining can get a little bit messy. Don’t stress over a little spill—we have you covered!
If the stain is fresh, blot the area gently with a clean cloth or a paper towel until all of the excess is soaked up.
If it is an oil-based stain, apply baking soda directly onto the stain and scrub the area with a soft-bristled brush. The baking soda will ball up when it soaks up the excess oil, so you can easily brush off the remnants.
(Photo Credit: Northern Belle Diaries)
If possible, remove the cover from its frame and run cold water on the back of the stain to push it back through the fabric. If the fabric is unable to be removed, rinse with cold water and sponge the area gently.
Apply a solution of mild dish soap and water onto the stain, scrub gently with a sponge or soft-bristled brush, and rinse thoroughly.
Soak up any excess moisture with a clean cloth, and let air-dry.
DEEP-CLEAN
You should always deep clean your outdoor fabrics when removing them from storage at the beginning of the season and when putting them back at the end. Proper cleaning and storage will ensure that they stay looking as new as the day you bought them!
Always check the fabric care labels before washing your outdoor fabrics, and hand wash if necessary. If there is any presence of mold on the fabric, soak in a solution of detergent, non-chlorine bleach, and warm water before washing to disinfect and prevent new growth. For machine-safe fabrics, wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric with your favorite detergent and a stain-fighting booster pac to knock out any set-in stains. Let air-dry.