How to remove mildew and mould from patio furniture cushions

Even if sheltered, humidity and moisture can build up on the fabric of your patio cushions and create mildew and mould stains. Follow these tricks for removing and preventing these unsightly marks.

• Remove the cushions from the patio furniture and put on a clean table. Brush loose dirt from the cushions to prepare them for cleaning.
• Pour 30 ml of lemon juice into a bowl, add five ml of salt and stir.
• Dip a portion of a clean cloth into the lemon and salt mixture, then scrub any mildew and mould stains on the cushion, re-wetting the cloth as required. The salt provides agitation to remove tough stains, and the acidity in the lemon juice breaks down the mould and mildew spores.
• Leave the lemon juice solution on the cushions, laying them in the sun for an hour. Rinse the cushions with a damp sponge to remove the solution, then wipe again with a dry towel or cloth and place the cushions back on the furniture.

Tough mould or mildew stains may require a bolder approach. Bleach kills mould and mildew and gets rid of musty odours as well, but you'll need a diluted solution to prevent fading on coloured cushions.

• Mix 15 ml of bleach into a litre of warm water, wet a clean cloth and wipe the mixture over the entire cushion.
• Saturate the cushion with the bleach cleaner and scrub stains with a soft bristle brush. Rinse the cushion with a wet sponge.
• Lay the cushions in the sun and flip them every 20 minutes to allow all sides to dry evenly. When the cushions feel dry, place them back on the furniture.

• Mix equal amounts of Borax and liquid dish soap into a spray bottle. Spray the solution over the entire cushion and allow it to sit and work on the fabric for 15 minutes.
• Scrub the cushion with a cloth or soft bristle brush.
• Rinse the cleaner from the cushion with a water hose. Allow the cushions to dry in the sun on a picnic table or hang them from a clothesline.