How to Clean Moldy Outdoor Cushions

Place the cushions in the sunlight if they are wet. Leave them in the sunlight until they are completely dry.

Scrub the cushions with a dry, stiff brush. This will loosen up the mold spores on the cushions.

Soak the cushions in full-strength, color-safe bleach if they are machine washable. Soak them for about ½ hour in a large bucket, and rinse them with plain water from the garden hose. Wash them as usual in the washing machine.

Apply a few drops of color-safe bleach to the molded spots directly if the cushions are not machine washable. Rub the bleach into the stains, and allow it to sit on the cushions for a few minutes. Dip a rag in a bucket of soapy water, and scrub the stain. Rinse with plain water, and allow to air dry.

Combine 2 tsp. tea tree oil and 2 cups water into an empty spray bottle if the mold persists. Tea tree oil is a fungicidal essential oil you can purchase at most health food stores. Spray the mixture onto the molded areas of the cushions. Allow it to sit on the cushions without rinsing. The oil and mold both will dissipate within a few days.

Spot clean the cushions by combining ½ cup washing soda into a bucket of 1 gallon hot water to remove any remaining mold residue. Dip a sponge into the cleaning solution without wringing out the sponge, and generously soak the molded area of the cushions. Allow it to sit on the cushions for 10 minutes, and rinse clean with plain water. Allow the cushions to air dry.