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How To Clean Outdoor Fabric

Be summer ready with our huge range of outdoor fabrics to explore. Suitable for cushions, parasols, bean bags, deckchairs and more. Be in the know with how to clean outdoor fabrics ready for when you're garden furniture gets an unwanted stain.

So, you may be wondering how outdoor fabrics differ from normal fabrics used inside the home? Well, outdoor fabrics have undergone a chemical treatment process to ensure they are hard wearing, durable and have special qualities for outdoor use. UV, stain, water and mould resistant are the top properties of outdoor fabrics, and we all know the UK weather can be unpredictable, so have peace of mind, when the heavens open, that your outdoor furniture will withstand the tests of everyday life.

Read on to discover the best options for cleaning unwanted stains on your outdoor fabrics.

Machine Washable

Machine Washable

The most common form of cleaning for outdoor fabrics is popping them in your washing machine. We recommend washing outdoor fabrics at 30 degrees unless the product details state otherwise. This is to ensure the acrylic or Teflon coating stays intact and your stains are removed with ease.

Two fantastic products that are perfect to clean in a washing machine are Valencia and Barcelona. They are suitable for a range of outdoor furniture; these fabrics are semi-plain and come in several classic colours. Hard-wearing and durable, these fabrics have a 40,000 Rub test result so are the ideal choice for outdoor seating, so you can enjoy the warm summer nights with ease.

Tougher Stains

Tougher Stains

For tougher stains than consider using a 1:20 bleach solution. This is a great option for tougher stains like bird poo or food and drink spillage which machine washing may not remove as easily. If you follow these six easy steps you will have clean outdoor furniture in no time!

  1. Remove any excess dirt from the stain
  2. Dampen the stain with water
  3. Apply soap or detergent
  4. Lightly scrub the stain with a dry cloth
  5. Leave to soak for two minutes
  6. Rinse soap off with a clean sponge and leave to dry
Sponge Clean

Sponge Clean

The majority of light stains can be removed with just water for outdoor fabrics which is a fantastic quality they hold. If you don’t have time to pop in the machine or take to the dry cleaners then this is a simple option to try when removing small stains on outdoor furniture. Simply wet the area and dab with a sponge to remove the stain,  leave to dry and your stain should be removed.

Dry Clean Only

Dry Clean Only

Some outdoor fabrics will need to be professional dry cleaned to remove the stains. Do check product details when choosing an outdoor fabric as this is sometimes not the most practical option for cleaning your outdoor furniture if it gets heavily used.

We hope this helpful guide on how to clean your outdoor furniture has helped you to decide which outdoor fabric to choose for your next garden refresh. Cleaning outdoor fabrics doesn’t have to be a worry, with these simple steps you can have brand new cushions in no time!

Just Fabrics
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Please get in touch with us on 01242 388390 and we can see if we can price match.