Spring is in the air – and with spring cleaning in Florida comes sprucing up our outdoor spaces to take advantage of this wonderful weather. Cleaning your lanai is a rite of passage here, and with spring comes pollen season. Lanais generally need a power washing or at minimum a good hard spray with the hose at this time of year. This is a great time to do an ample wipe down of your frames and doors as well as a fresh cleaning of your windows. A good tip to keep your sliders gliding smoothly is to apply a spray aluminum lubricant on the track (we use LCD Wax AlumaSlick) purchased at any local home improvement store (and to keep sliders in tip-top shape, reapply every 3 months).
Additionally, outdoor cushions should generally be changed if they are showing signs of fading or mildew that can’t be cleaned. If purchasing new outdoor upholstery items, we recommend utilizing cushions fabricated with Sunbrella fabrics, as these are specifically designed to hold up through harsh outdoor Florida conditions. They generally have a 5-year warranty against color or strength lost from sunlight or mildew. These fabrics were originally used to manufacture awnings prior to being utilized for outdoor cushions. They clean well and with fibers made from solution-dyed acrylic they are colorfast and can even withstand a dosing of bleach. Sunbrella fabrics have a rich vibrant look with the feel of cotton and resist fading.
We utilize outdoor furniture manufacturers that produce products with Sunbrella fabrics, as we know how inferior products will only last a season or two.
Check the tag on your cushions for the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations. If you happen to own cushions made from Sunbrella fabrics – here is a complete listing of their cleaning instruction for your spring cleaning:
Sunbrella – General/Light Cleaning of Outdoor Cushions
- Brush off any loose dirt
- Prepare a cleaning solution of mild soap & lukewarm water
- Use a soft sponge to clean
- Allow fabric to air dry
- For removable Sunbrella fabric covers, machine wash in cold water. Allow fabric to air dry
Sunbrella – Spot Cleaning Outdoor Cushions & Umbrellas
- Apply a light mist of cleaning solution using a spray bottle
- Work the solution into the stain by lightly scrubbing the area with a soft sponge
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue
- Blot excess moisture with a clean, soft towel or sponge
- Repeat these steps until stain is removed
Sunbrella – Heavy Cleaning for Stubborn Stains on Cushions
- Sunbrella fabric does not promote mildew growth, however, mildew growth can occur on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric. To clean:
- Prepare a solution of 8 ounces (1 cup) of bleach and 2 ounces (1/4 cup) of mild soap per gallon of water
- Spray on entire area and allow to soak into the fabric
- Scrub vigorously with a soft sponge or clean towel
- Allow fabric to air dry
- If stain and/or mildew are severe, bleach quantities may be increased