Spotless furniture outside reflects the professional focus you put on keeping guests happy. Knowing how to clean outdoor cushions makes sure your venue makes the best impression.

It’s just one of the specialty services we provide for hotels and restaurants in Chicago. ServiceMaster by Zaba is proud to be the city’s leading commercial cleaning business, and we enjoy sharing that expertise.

Let’s take a look at patio furniture cleaning ideas that can make this big project easier on your in-house staff. We’re including some of our best power tips too.

How to Clean Outdoor Seating Cushions

Whether you own or manage, you know how quickly dirty furniture creates a negative guest experience.

From customer seating to office chairs, your staff keeps interior furnishings clean and inviting. Outdoor patio cushions and cabana pillows don’t always get the same attention.

Outside seating dulls with everyday wear. Add mold, tree sap, and oily spills, and expensive outdoor furniture loses its welcoming appeal.

This guide helps protect your investment and your commitment to guest satisfaction.

How to Clean Removable Outdoor Cushion Covers

Removable covers let you bring outside furniture cleanup inside. However, before washing outdoor cushions in the washing machine, vacuum them first. Run an upholstery attachment on both sides of each cover.

This trick loosens up accumulated dirt and helps you spot problem areas that need additional attention. Check cushion labels for instructions on recommended types of laundry detergent and drying temperatures.

Power Tip: Drying removable covers outside keeps them from shrinking and freshens the fabric.

How to Clean Outdoor Cushion Covers That Don’t Come Off

When you don’t have the convenience of removable covers, plan on working outside. You’ll need the following supplies.

• Vacuum with upholstery attachment
• Soft-bristled brushes
• Liquid dish detergent
• Powdered enzyme cleaner
• Distilled white vinegar
• Water buckets
• Garden hose and sprayer
• Clean towels

Before cleaning patio cushions that don’t come off, move pieces located over grassy areas onto concrete or paved surfaces. Otherwise, washing and rinsing over open ground can create a muddy mess.

1. Thoroughly Vacuum Cushions

A shop vac speeds up this first step, but be sure to use its upholstery attachment. As the vacuum pulls up loose dirt and debris, be careful around trim and seams.

Power Tip: A soft-bristled brush works well on sweeping out deep seams around cushions.

2. Wet and Wipe

Wet down outdoor cushions with clean towels and a mixture of liquid dish detergent and warm water. Work the solution into the material, and then let it set for five minutes.

3. Scrub, Drain and Repeat

Next, use a clean soft-bristled brush to firmly scrub cushions. Give them a few minutes to drain, and repeat brushing and scrubbing. It may take several passes before you see results.

Power Tip: Loosen deep-set dirt by scrubbing cushions side to side and then up and down.

4. Rinse Cushions Carefully

Rinse outdoor cushions using a garden hose and low-pressure spray attachment. Never use pressure washer equipment on furniture outside. It can tear fabric and damage frames.

5. Dry With Purpose

Blot freshly washed patio cushions and pillows with clean towels. Squeeze out as much excess water as possible around seams and edges, and air dry. A sunny day and southern exposure should finish the job.

6. Know When to Call Cleaning Pros

Dirty cushions can spoil an outdoor event, so always check their condition between shifts. When you run into a problem that needs attention right away, contact a commercial cleaning company like ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba in Chicago. Their equipment and techniques greatly reduce cushion cleaning and drying time.

How to Remove Mold from Outdoor Patio Cushions

Outdoor cushions and pillow covers are made with highly durable materials. From acrylics to olefin fabrics, they’re manufactured to resist mold and mildew.

Busy outdoor furniture in commercial settings presents a different type of problem. In addition to the weather, patio spills and poolside splashes add extra layers of moisture that cause mold growth on cushions.

These steps get rid of it:

1. Scrape or brush off as much mold as possible.
2. Spray affected areas with full-strength distilled white vinegar.
3. Wait 10 minutes before scrubbing clean with a stiff brush.
4. Finish cleanup with a sponge soaked in water and vinegar.
5. Rinse well, and air dry in a sunny spot.

How to Get Stains Out of Patio Cushions

The same finish that makes outdoor upholstery mold-resistant also helps it resist staining. Over time, most patio and poolside furniture lose that protection, so be ready with these stain-removing strategies.

Oily Stains

• Sprinkle oily cushion stains with baking soda or cornstarch.
• Give the powder 15 minutes to absorb oily residue.
• Use a dull straightedge to gently scrape away the powder.
• Repeat as needed, and finish with an upholstery stain remover.

Grass Stains

• Pre-treat cushions by soaking stains with a heavy-duty laundry detergent.
• Work detergent into affected areas with a soft brush, and rinse thoroughly.
• Soak grass stains with a mix of oxygen bleach and warm water.
• Wait one hour, wash cushions again, rinse, and air dry.

Tree Sap

• Apply an enzyme-based stain remover to cushions.
• Sprinkle with powdered detergent to create a paste.
• Scrub with a brush, rinse with hot water, and air dry.
• Oxygen bleach can also remove tree sap from outdoor upholstery.

Looking for Outdoor Furniture Cleaning Services in Chicago?

Outdoor service is an important part of business for so many Chicago restaurants and hotels. Between taking care of guests and general upkeep, your busy staff doesn’t always have time for extra jobs like cleaning outdoor cushions.

We understand the hospitality industry, and we can help. Our outdoor cushion cleaning services make sure your customers feel welcome and comfortable when they take a seat. Leave the extra work to Chicago’s best commercial cleaning company. Call ServiceMaster by Zaba today for a free quote: 773-647-1985.

The post How to Clean Commercial Outdoor Cushions Like a Pro appeared first on ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba.

Do you know how to take good care of your dependable seating with the best office chair cleaning practices?

We handle commercial furniture cleaning here in Chicago and the suburbs, so we know what it takes to keep office chairs looking their best.

If you plan on adding chair care to your list of in-house cleaning duties, we can help.

Office Chair Cleaning 101

It’s not easy being a chair in a business environment. Well-maintained furniture supports operations, keeps employees comfortable, and makes a good impression on customers.

All office chairs deserve the following care.

• Vacuum regularly using a low setting and soft brush attachment.
• Check furniture tags for details on how to clean office chair cushions and fabrics.
• Always spot-test cleaning solutions on small, hidden areas.
• Treat spills and stains as quickly as possible.
• Remove odors by sprinkling chairs with baking soda before vacuuming.

6 Ways to Simplify Office Chair Cleaning Chores

It’s always best to weigh the cost of in-house efforts against professional office chair cleaning prices. Time spent by employees on cleanup duty oftentimes doesn’t offset DIY savings.

Still, your commercial furniture investment deserves regular attention. Simplify taking care of different chairs around the office with these six tips.

1. How to Keep Leather Chairs Luxurious

Whether they perform in executive suites or customer lobbies, leather chairs need a weekly wipe-down.

Use a soft, clean cloth to gently dust. Change the cloth often so that abrasive debris doesn’t scratch the upholstery.

Clean leather with a mild liquid detergent and distilled water. Work with a gentle motion, and rinse with a fresh, damp rag to remove all soap residue.

Dry thoroughly while inspecting the upholstery for problem spots. Pamper chairs with a quality leather conditioner several times a year.

2. How to Clean Mesh Office Chairs

These ergonomic support stations are always popular, but their open-weave construction can turn them into dust magnets. Use a hand vacuum at least once a week to keep mesh chairs breathing easily.

Most of these chair types can be washed with warm water and a mild detergent. Use a soft brush – but be careful not to scrub and break down mesh fibers.

Attack stubborn dirt by applying a cleaning solution and covering the area with a wet cloth for 30 minutes.

3. How to Revitalize Vinyl Chairs

Vinyl chair coverings can have a sticky reputation, so redeem their comfort with regular maintenance.

These are some of the easiest office chairs to clean because they don’t soak up spills like traditional upholstery fabrics.

Wash vinyl chairs with liquid soap and warm water. Rinse well, and dry with careful attention to folds and seams.

If you manage or own a health care facility, use appropriate techniques when cleaning Permablock vinyl upholstery.

4. How to Perk Up Plastic Chairs

Plastic chairs in office settings keep break rooms comfortable and outdoor areas inviting. These environments can be hard on plastic seats, but resist the urge to hose them down.

Most plastic chairs are made of polypropylene, so they clean up easily with warm water and mild detergent.

Use a brush while being careful not to scratch the material. Avoid scouring pads and alkaline-based products.

5. How to Clean Office Chair Wheels

While cushions and armrests get most of the attention, office chair wheels need cleaning too.

Get things rolling by flipping the chair upside down for easy wheel access. Use a dull scraper to remove debris from casters, slots, and areas under wheel covers.

If your chair wheels don’t pull off for cleaning, detach them with a screwdriver. Remove dirt and debris with a spray cleaner, but be sure to dry all components thoroughly.

Finish up with a greaseless lubricant to keep wheels operating smoothly without attracting dirt.

6. How to Read Fabric Chair Cleaning Codes

Furniture manufacturers often attach small tags to their products that serve as guides to choosing the right fabric cleaning methods.

The information makes sense when you know how to read office chair fabric codes.

• W – Fabric can be safely cleaned with water-based products.
• S – Only use water-free products or dry-cleaning solvents.
• SW/WS – Both water-based and water-free products are safe for use.
• C – This code indicates the upholstery is Crypton and should be cleaned with an enzyme detergent.
• X – The manufacturer strongly recommends professional cleaning only.

Making Office Cleanup Easier

We’re always happy to share information that makes office cleanup a little easier. If you have any furniture cleaning tips you’d like to add, join our online community with a post to our Comments Section.

Not all businesses have the time or in-house resources for chair cleaning. Our commercial upholstery cleaning services include regular schedules designed around your timetable.

When you want the best commercial furniture cleaning available in Chicago and the suburbs, you can depend on ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba.

The post Office Chair Cleaning: 6 Ways to Take Care of Your Furniture Investment appeared first on ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba.