Creating a comfortable outdoor living space is usually on the top of every homeowner’s to-do list as soon as the temps start to rise in the spring. Most of the time, this is done with patio furniture and outdoor dining sets to set the stage for intimate morning coffee and reading barbeques with friends, late-night bonfires, and more.
Much like when you furnish the inside of your home, patio furniture can be a big investment. An investment that then sits in the sun, rain, wind, dew, and all elements for months on end. How do you keep your patio furniture in good shape when it sits outside, possibly year-round? Most importantly how do you prevent mold and mildew growth as it is constantly exposed to the moisture outside?
To start, make sure you select suitable fabrics. Upholstered cushions on an outdoor sectional, couch, or chair are often at the highest risk of growing mold and mildew. This may look like visible black, brown, or green mold spores or it may start as a musty smell. Either way, your first step in prevention is a durable fabric. The best fabrics for outdoor patio furniture will include polypropylene, acrylic, and olefin.
These engineered textiles feature essential qualities to combat the elements, such as UV protection, quick-drying capabilities, and non-active dyes that repel stains and are easy to clean. Even with these features, however, outdoor cushions are still at risk of attracting mildew, which can form when they’re exposed to excess moisture and humidity.
Routine Care For Outdoor Cushions
With a small amount of routine care throughout the year, your outdoor furniture can be safe from mold and mildew. Both mold and mildew can spread quickly as soon as even one spore makes itself at home so it is important to act quickly when you notice any discoloration or smell in your cushions.
The best thing you can do for your outdoor patio cushions is to keep them dry as possible. We know this is easier said than done. When rain is expected, especially heavy rain that could saturate your cushions, make a point to bring your cushions in, move them in a covered space or utilize a specialized rain cover for your furniture.
Additionally, you can treat your cushions with a waterproof spray. Even cushions that are advertised as water-resistant can benefit from this extra layer of protection.
Since mildew is reasonably visible, giving both sides of your cushions a good look every few days will ensure any spores are caught early. You should also avoid exposing your cushions to sunscreen and bug spray, even if the topicals have been applied to your body. These products give mildew agency to grow.
Removing Mildew From Outdoor Cushions
If mildew or mold does appear on your outdoor furniture, don’t worry, just act quickly. There are multiple ways you can try to eradicate the fungus from your furniture. This could include:
- Washing with laundry detergent
- Washing with Borax- Borax is a mineral salt commonly found in cleaning products
- Pressure washing
- Bleach
- Vinegar
Always read the product’s cleaning instructions to determine which solution will work best and ensure a damage-free cleaning.
Mold Removal For Your Home
For more advice on Mold Removal in Springfield, Ohio, whether it be in the exterior or interior of your home, contact our team at Reliant Restorations. Anytime mold appears in your home, you want to act quickly to get it eradicated before it can spread. At Reliant Restoration we are experts standing by to help you clean and remove mold from your home once and for all.