My patio cushions looked like they had been through a war. Sunscreen stains, bird droppings, a green patch of mildew on the corner. I was about to rent a pressure washer, until my neighbor pointed out that most cushion covers just unzip and go in the washing machine. I had owned them for two years and never once checked.

Check the label first

Flip the cushion over and look for the care tag. Most outdoor cushion covers are removable and machine washable on cold. If yours are not removable, the bucket method below still works.

Machine wash method

1. Unzip the covers and take out the foam inserts.
2. Shake off loose dirt, or vacuum the covers first.
3. Wash on cold, gentle cycle, with a mild detergent. Add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse to kill mildew smell.
4. Air dry. Do not put them in the dryer, the fabric can shrink.

No removable cover? Bucket method

Fill a bucket with warm water and a squirt of dish soap. Scrub the cushion with a soft brush, working the suds into the stains. Rinse with a hose, then blot with towels and let it dry fully in the sun. Sunlight kills mildew spores, so dry them outside if you can.

Dealing with mildew

Mildew needs oxygen, moisture, and warmth, so it loves cushions stored damp. For the green spots, mix one part white vinegar to three parts water and spray the area, let it sit for fifteen minutes, then scrub. Vinegar is acidic enough to kill mildew without bleaching the fabric.

My storage mistake

I used to stack the cushions wet after a rain and wonder why they smelled. Never store damp cushions. Stand them on edge in the sun to dry completely, then cover them or bring them in. Since I started doing that, the mildew has not come back.

My cushions look almost new, and the only thing I needed was a washing machine I already owned.