Garden Furniture Cushions

Garden furniture cushions can be a definite eye catcher. Often, they are some of the first few accessories guests would quickly notice and appreciate. Bear in mind though that a lot depends on how you care for your seat pads. Even the best and most durable ones quickly lose their appeal with improper care. Here are some basic tips on caring for your outdoor seat cushions.

· Outdoor cushions need to be cleaned regularly. Before you use water on them however, you have to prepare them for cleaning. Brushing or wiping your cushions before water washing can help remove loose dirt and make overall cleaning easier to perform. Make sure though that you use a soft brush or cloth in order not to damage the cushion material.

· Lukewarm water and very mild detergent are best for cushion cleaning. If there are stubborn stains that need to be removed, the harshest cleaning agent you should use is baking soda. Many cloth colors will be unable to withstand bleach. Some manufacturers of modern materials though claim that using bleach on their cushions is ok. Make sure you check for this statement before attempting to use bleach.

· Some homeowners prefer to alternate seat cushions. Some also do not display cushions in the winter. If it is time for you to store your cushions, make sure you clean them first. Cleaning before storage will ensure that no stains or dirt that could set in are left behind.

· Make sure you dry your garden furniture cushions completely before storing or using. Any moisture left on a freshly washed cushion could encourage the formation of molds or mildew which are far harder to deal with than ordinary dirt.

· Never let the day go by with stains and spills on a cushion. As much as possible, you should deal with spills immediately while they are still fairly easy to brush or wipe out. Leaving them to dry would only allow them to set in on the cushion material.

· Use fabric protective spray. Some products for fabric can now provide added protection. You just have to spray them on. Some of these products allow water spills to slide over the treated fabric.

· Don’t leave cushions out during bad weather or during winter. The moisture could damage the foam and fabric. Store your cushions in a cool, dry storage area.

· Some homeowners use plastic or vinyl for added protection. This may not always be a good idea though. If plastic is not periodically removed, moisture could form in between the plastic and the fabric. This could encourage the formation of mildew.

· It is often easier to clean a cushion when the foam can be detached. Whenever possible therefore, try separating the two for more thorough cleaning. Some foam inserts are best cleaned through machine washing.

Garden furniture cushions deserve proper cleaning and care. Making sure you take the proper cleaning and storage steps will ensure that you can have a cushion set that can last a long time.