To remove mould and mildew from outdoor cushions, brush off the surface growth while dry, treat the fabric with a suitable cleaning solution, scrub gently, rinse, and dry the cushions completely in the sun. Mildew grows wherever fabric stays damp, so the real cure is drying and storage, not just cleaning. Avoid bleach on coloured outdoor fabric, it strips the dye, and be honest that deep, long-established mould can leave a permanent stain even once the growth is killed.
Step by step
- Take the cushions outside and brush off the mildew dry, ideally in a breeze, so you are not grinding damp spores into the weave. Wear a mask, mould spores are an irritant.
- Apply a suitable cleaning solution. A mild soap solution works for light mildew; for more, an oxygen-based (not chlorine) cleaner is safer on coloured fabric. Test a hidden area first.
- Scrub gently with a soft brush, working the solution into the affected fabric.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove the solution and the loosened mildew.
- Dry completely in full sun, on edge so all sides and the foam dry. Sunlight also helps kill remaining spores.
Why not bleach
Household chlorine bleach kills mildew but it also strips colour from dyed outdoor fabric and can weaken the fibres and any water-resistant finish. On coloured cushions it often leaves a pale patch worse than the mildew. An oxygen-based cleaner is the safer choice on colour. If you do use anything stronger, test a hidden corner first and accept the risk of lightening.
Why mildew keeps coming back
Mildew is a moisture problem before it is a cleaning problem. If cushions keep growing it, the cause is damp: cushions left out in the rain, stored while still wet, or kept somewhere with no airflow. Killing the current growth does nothing if the conditions remain. Dry cushions fully after every soaking, store them dry and under cover, and ventilate the storage space, see cleaning outdoor cushions and patio furniture.
An honest note on staining
Mildew that has grown deep and been left for a long time can leave a stain in the fabric even after the growth itself is killed and removed, because the discolouration is in the fibre. Cleaning will improve it, but on badly affected cushions it may not return them to new. We will tell you honestly what is achievable before treating them.
Common questions
How do you get mould off outdoor cushions?
Brush off the surface mildew while dry and outdoors, treat the fabric with a mild soap or oxygen-based cleaner (test a hidden area first), scrub gently with a soft brush, rinse thoroughly, and dry the cushions completely in full sun. Then fix the damp conditions that caused it, or it will return.
Can you use bleach on outdoor cushions?
It is best avoided on coloured fabric. Chlorine bleach kills mildew but strips dye and can weaken the fabric and its water-resistant finish, often leaving a pale patch worse than the mildew. An oxygen-based cleaner is the safer option on colour, with a hidden-area test first.
Will mildew stains come out of outdoor fabric?
Light, recent mildew usually cleans off well. Deep, long-established mildew can leave a stain in the fibre even after the growth is killed, which cleaning improves but may not fully remove. Drying and storing cushions dry is what prevents it recurring.
For mildew-affected cushions you would rather have treated professionally, contact us or request a quote. See our outdoor furniture cleaning page.