What is the best type of cleaner to use on patio furniture?

Question

I have a swing on my porch that has brown cushions. I want to clean it without ruining color. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I use Simple Green cleaner mixed in a bucket with water on all my outdoor furniture then spray it with a hose and dry it with an old towel. It also comes in a spray bottle. It cleans better than 409 or anything else I have tried and it is a safe product to use. The mildew and dirt comes off easily without a lot of scrubbing. I don't know if your cushions are plastic, vinyl or cloth. I would spray or wipe a small area on the underneath side with a sponge to see if it works on the cushion. If they have a cloth cover and you can remove them, I would wash them in cold water on the gentle cycle of your washing machine or soak them in the sink or bathtub and wash by hand then hang them to dry to prevent shrinking. I use Cheer Free liquid detergent because it has no color or perfume added and it works great on everything I wash in the machine or by hand.