How to Clean & Protect Outdoor Cushions and Sunbrella Performance Fabrics

True outdoor upholstery should feel as inviting as an indoor living room sofa while shrugging off afternoon thunderstorms, salt spray, and poolside sunscreen. Across our Cove Outdoor Living lounge seating, Royal Teak Deep Seating, Replacement Cushions, and 109 Outdoor Throw & Lumbar Pillows, we rely on solution-dyed performance acrylics engineered for effortless care.

1. What Makes Solution-Dyed Sunbrella® Different

Conventional indoor fabrics are woven from uncolored yarn and dipped in dye afterward—leaving color only on the outer skin of the thread, like a radish. Solution-dyed Sunbrella® acrylic is infused with UV-stabilized pigments while the liquid acrylic polymer is still being extruded, saturating the fiber all the way through like a carrot. That means sunlight, salt water, and even diluted household bleach (for stubborn mildew or berry stains) will not strip the fabric’s color.

2. Everyday Care & Spot-Cleaning Spills

The simplest way to keep outdoor cushions looking crisp is to brush off loose dirt, leaves, and pollen before they become embedded in the weave:

1. Blot—never rub—fresh liquid spills: Use a clean, dry microfiber towel to absorb espresso, red wine, or sunscreen immediately.
2. Apply a mild soap mist: Combine 1/4 cup of mild liquid dish soap (such as Dawn or Woolite) per gallon of lukewarm water. Spray onto the spot and work gently with a soft sponge or cloth.
3. Rinse thoroughly & air dry: Rinse away all soap residue with clean water (soap left in the weave can attract dirt) and stand cushions on their edge to air dry rapidly.

3. Deep-Cleaning Zippered Covers & Seasonal Storage

For an end-of-season refresh on zippered cushion covers, remove the foam core inserts, close the zippers, and machine-wash in cold water on the delicate cycle with normal amounts of mild laundry detergent. For stubborn tree sap or mildew buildup, add 1 cup of household bleach to the wash load. Always air dry removable covers and return them to the foam cores while slightly damp so they conform crisply to the seams—never place Sunbrella® covers in a heated tumble dryer.