How to Clean Outdoor Cushion Fabric & Synthetic Mesh Slings

Caring for outdoor textiles

In the past, outdoor furniture was designed for a simple backyard barbecue with a Weber grill or an afternoon catching some rays by the pool. Most seating was casual and either folded or featured rubbery straps. Fabrication advances and a trend toward holistic architecture have led to more elegant and upholstered pieces that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Dining chairs, patio sectional sofas and lounge chairs feature modern designs with high-tech textiles that are durable under many conditions. While most require little attention, a few tips can keep them in tip-top shape. This section of our guide covers a few prominent outdoor fabric types and how to maintain them.

Synthetic Mesh (slings)

Most high-quality patio sling chairs and seating is made from PVC-coated polyester mesh. This strong synthetic textile is stretch and tear-resistant and relatively easy to clean [Van Craenenbroeck, Puystiens, De Laet, Van Hemelrijck & Mollaert 2016]. The resin coating protects the woven fibers from damage and fading from the sun and weather, while the perforations in the weave allow the material to dry quickly. Serge Ferrari’s Batyline and Twitchell’s Textilene are two sling fabrics popular with high-end outdoor brands. Clean sling pool furniture every three months to prevent mold and mildew from growing.

1. Leave the sling fabric on their frames when cleaning
2. Remove any dirt or other organic debris on the surface with a cloth or whisk broom
3. Add mild dish soap to lukewarm water
4. Wash the mesh directly with a sponge or microfiber cloth
5. Allow the soapy water to seep into the material before gently cleaning the surface with a soft-bristled brush
6. Don’t forget to clean the bottoms and backs of the slings too (you might need to set the furniture on a towel to prevent the frame from getting scratched by the ground)
7. Rinse the fabric with clean water
8. Let the mesh sling fabric air-dry

Manufacturer Video Tip – Synthetic Mesh – Batyline Elios

Sling chair fabrics like should be regularly maintained but occasional spot cleaning may need a specialized focused approach. Check out this “How to” video from Serge Ferrari to clean stubborn stains from ketchup, red wine, sunscreen and more.

Synthetic Webbing (straps & ropes)

Some outdoor furniture uses crisscrossing straps or parallel roping to provide flexible comfort. In high-end seating, the open weave is often made from blends of polypropylene, polyester and other materials, including hemp. Before washing synthetic webbing, remove any debris that may have become lodged in the gaps of the weave or where straps overlap. Otherwise, it’s cleaned like sling chairs – mild soap and water, light scrubbing and a clean rinse. Don’t use alcohol-based, solvent or acidic cleaners or metal bristled brushes.

Upholstery Cushions & Pillows

Upholstered outdoor seats have cushions and pillows wrapped in UV and weather-resistant fabric. Covers are woven from acrylic, polyester or vinyl threads that are coated to protect them against water damage and fading. Some covers have zippers or fasteners that allow you to remove their foam inserts, while others are sewn shut. If you want your outdoor sofa and loungers to last long, look for Sunbrella patio furniture with Urecel QuickDry foam.

Cleaning outdoor cushions with removable covers

Some removable covers are machine-washable. However, cleaning them by hand is very easy.

1. Take out the foam core
2. Brush any dirt off the fabric
3. Spray with soapy warm water until the cover is soaked through or soak it in a bucket filled with soapy water
4. Gently scrub the cover from seam to seam with a soft-bristled brush to remove light stains
5. Do both the inside and outside to remove stubborn stains
6. Rinse with clean water
7. Let the cover air dry completely before reinserting the foam core

Washing upholstery with non-removable fabric covers

Non-removable covers require a slightly different approach but it’s still pretty straightforward.

1. Apply the soapy water to the outside of the cover with a sponge
2. Rub the surface so that the soap bubbles are worked into the fabric
3. Use a high-pressure garden hose to clean off the detergent residue
4. Set the cushions on their edge to air dry

Manufacturer Video Tip – Upholstery Cushions – Sunbrella Fabric

Every day dirt and grime is one thing but outdoor cushions have to survive a myriad of potential mishaps. Backyard parties with kids and adults eating, drinking and lathering on SPF 50 sun block are a recipe for some serious spills. Fortunately, high-performance textiles are designed to resist staining if attended to in a reasonable amount of time. Here’s a “pro tip” video from Sunbrella on how to spot clean dried red wine stains.

Don’t forget about little critters

Protecting your patio furniture against Mother Nature and mankind is critical to extending its useful life. Corrosion, mold, mildew, fading and a variety of stains threaten the structural integrity and aesthetics of your outdoor seating and tables. However, you need to remember the pests that call your backyard home. The final section of our guide identifies some of the most pesky critters that might mar your patio lounge or dining set.

Guide Sections

Patio Furniture Cleaning & Care Guide

How to Clean Teak, Eucalyptus & Other Outdoor Wood Furniture

Caring for Metal Patio Furniture – Aluminum, Steel & Wrought Iron

Cleaning Tips for Resin Wicker & Plastic Deck Furniture

Maintaining Outdoor Tabletops from HPL to Tempered Glass

Keep Pests Like Insects, Birds & Rodents Off Deck Furniture

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References

• Van Craenenbroeck, M., Puystiens, S., De Laet, L., Van Hemelrijck, D., & Mollaert, M. (2016). Quantitative study of the impact of biaxial test protocols on the derived material parameters for a PVC-coated polyester fabric. Procedia Engineering, 155, 220-229.