Outdoor Patio Furniture Covers: Maintenance and Cleaning

Outdoor patio furniture covers can help protect your patio furniture and extend the life of your furniture. Keeping these covers clean and well maintained can, in turn, extend the life of the covers.

Keep Covers on Furniture
The first step to take in cleaning patio furniture covers is to either put them on the furniture or clean them before removing them for the season or an event. The best time to clean the covers is while they are on the furniture.

Treat Stains
Use a solution of 1 cup bleach and ½ cup mild dish detergent (Joy, Ajax, etc.) mixed into 1 gallon of water. Use a spray bottle (rinse out an old bottle from your window washing solution or something similar, or buy a new, empty spray bottle) and spray the stained areas thoroughly.

Wait for several minutes, then rinse with clean water. Allow them to dry thoroughly.

Also use this solution in the case of mildew.

General Cleaning
For general cleaning, use a solution of mild detergent and lukewarm water. Use a soft scrub brush or an old piece of towel or similar soft cloth to apply the cleaning solution to the outdoor patio furniture covers. Scrub, particularly seams as necessary, then rinse thoroughly, probably with a garden hose.

Dry and Fold
Be sure to allow the outdoor patio furniture covers to dry completely before folding. If the covers are not completely dry, they will mold and deteriorate while in storage, causing a more severe cleaning problem.