Cushions are an important component of any outdoor furniture, providing comfort and adding a touch of style to your space. But over time, they can start to look dirty and tired if they’re not cared for properly. Here are some tips for cleaning your outdoor cushions using borax, which is a water-soluble alkaline mineral salt.
1. Handwash them carefully
It’s best to handwash your outdoor cushions with cold water and a small amount of borax to ensure there is no fading or discolouration. Combine a teaspoon of dish soap with a teaspoon of borax until it forms a thick paste, then apply liberally onto your cushion covers while scrubbing gently with a clean sponge or rag. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes before rinsing off thoroughly with warm water and leaving them to dry outside in the sun.
2. Target stains
If there are some stains on your cushions, it’s best to treat these before you wash them as stains like bird droppings, food and drink can be stubborn to remove, especially if they’ve been there for a while. Use a teaspoon of dish soap and a teaspoon of borax with warm water and scrub vigorously over the stain until it’s no longer visible.
3. Tackle mould and mildew
To remove mould and mildew, start by using a scrub brush to loosen the dirt and grime. Then apply borax to your outdoor cushions in a 1:4 ratio with water. Let the mixture sit for half an hour, and then rinse them with warm water. Try to repeat this cycle whenever mould or mildew appears. To prevent mould or mildew from forming in the first place, you could bring the cushions inside on humid evenings or during bad weather. If the borax solution doesn’t work, you could dilute some bleach with water and use this as a scrub.
If you don’t take care of your outdoor cushions properly, then the cleaning process could end up damaging them and making them look worse than before. If you have any questions or need further assistance about using borax on your cushions, please contact us here at Cushion Factory.