Are your Outside Space NZ outdoor cushions looking a bit worse for wear after a lively summer BBQ season?
If you’re wondering “how to clean outdoor fabric cushions NZ” or “how to remove stains from Sunbrella fabric in New Zealand,” you’ve come to the right place. Our 100% solution-dyed acrylic fabrics, like those from Sunbrella and Agora, are engineered for the harsh New Zealand climate, resisting fading, water, and most importantly, stains.
This guide will provide practical, step-by-step instructions for tackling common spills and grime, ensuring your premium outdoor furniture from Outside Space NZ stays looking its best.
Why Solution-Dyed Acrylic is Your Best Mate for Outdoor Living
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of stain removal, let’s quickly recap why Outside Space NZ chooses 100% solution-dyed acrylic for our premium outdoor furniture:
- Colourfastness: The colour pigment is added during the fibre production, not dyed on the surface. This means it won’t fade from UV exposure, chlorine, or even harsh cleaning agents.
- Durability: It’s incredibly strong and resistant to abrasion, mildew, and rot – perfect for our coastal environment.
- Easy to Clean: Liquids tend to bead up on the surface, making spills easy to blot away before they set. Even stubborn stains can be tackled without damaging the fabric.
Watch a quick overview of Sunbrella’s cleaning benefits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-V31xQ_P8k
General Cleaning & Essential Tools
For most general cleaning and initial stain attempts, you’ll need:
- A soft-bristle brush (like a dish brush or soft scrubbing brush)
- Clean, absorbent cloths or paper towels
- A bucket
- Mild dishwashing liquid a few drops, not a lot!)
- Clean water (preferably lukewarm)
- A hose with a spray nozzle for rinsing
- Gloves (especially for tougher stains or bleach solutions)
Important Rule #1: Act Quickly! The faster you address a spill, the easier it will be to remove. Important Rule #2: Blot, Don’t Rub! Rubbing can spread the stain and push it deeper into the fabric fibres.
Step-by-Step Stain Removal Guide for Common Kiwi Spills
Here’s how to tackle specific stains on your Outside Space NZ solution-dyed acrylic fabric:
1. General Dirt & Everyday Grime
For everyday dust, dirt, or light marks:
- Brush off loose dirt: Use your soft-bristle brush to remove any dry, loose debris.
- Prepare solution: Mix a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid with lukewarm water.
- Clean: Lightly spray or sponge the solution onto the fabric. Gently scrub with your soft-bristle brush, working from seam to seam.
- Rinse thoroughly: Use a hose to rinse all soap residue from the fabric. Ensure all suds are gone.
- Air dry: Allow the fabric to air dry completely. Ideally, in a sunny spot to speed up the process.
Video Guide (similar principles apply): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-y8T1p6t7A
2. Tomato Sauce, Red Wine, Coffee, Fruit Juice & Soft Drinks (Sugary Spills)
These are common culprits at any goog Kiwi BBQ!
- Blot immediately: Use a clean, dry cloth or paper towel to blot up as much of the liquid as possible. Do NOT rub.
- Prepare solution: Mix a solution of 60ml (1/4 cup) mild dish soap with 4 litres of lukewarm water. For stubborn stains, add 250ml (1 cup) of bleach to this mixture (yes, bleach is safe for solution-dyed acrylic!).
- Apply and soak: Apply the solution directly to the stain and allow it to soak for about 15 minutes.
- Gently scrub: Use a soft-bristle brush or sponge to gently work the solution into the stain.
- Rinse thoroughly: Hose down the fabric until all soap residue is removed.
- Air dry: Let the fabric air dry completely.
Sunbrella’s own short video on Fresh Tomato Sauce: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu8J4AOKw4MdKC288i4k7Tvl690EQQBIO (Scroll to “How to Clean Fresh Ketchup”)
Sunbrella’s short video on Red Wine: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu8J4AOKw4MdKC288i4k7Tvl690EQQBIO (Scroll to “How to Remove Wine Stains – Fresh | Sunbrella”)
3. Oil-Based Stains (e.g., Sunblock/Sunscreen, Salad Dressing, Grease, Cooking Oil)
These can be trickier, but still manageable. Outside Space NZ has a specific guide for this!
- Blot excess: Gently blot up excess oil with a flat piece of paper towel or scrape it off with the edge of a blunt knife.
- Apply absorbent: For fresh oil stains, sprinkle an absorbent material like cornstarch, baking soda, or talcum powder directly onto the stain. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to absorb the oil, then scrape away.
- Outside Space NZ’s Recommended Method (for stubborn oil/grease):
- What you’ll need: Diggers White Spirits (available at most NZ hardware stores like Bunnings or Mitre 10), plenty of paper towels, rubber gloves, soapy water, and a sponge.
- Process:
- Place a flat piece of paper towel on the underside of the stained fabric.
- Apply about half a teaspoon of Diggers White Spirits directly onto the stain.
- Immediately blot the liquid with a fresh piece of paper towel, applying pressure to absorb as much as possible. This “wicks” the oil into the paper towel.
- Repeat steps 2 & 3, using fresh paper towel each time, until no more oil is transferring. Be patient!
- Once the White Spirits have evaporated (which happens quickly, especially in the sun), clean the area with a sponge and soapy water (mild dish liquid).
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap residue.
- Let air dry.
- If any stain remains, repeat the process.
Outside Space NZ’s Detailed Oil Stain Removal Guide: https://outsidespace.co.nz/oil-stain-removal-outdoor-fabric-nz/
Sunbrella’s short video on Fresh Sunblock: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu8J4AOKw4MdKC288i4k7Tvl690EQQBIO (Scroll to “How to Clean Fresh Sunblock”)
4. Mould & Mildew
A common problem in humid Kiwi conditions, but easily fixed with solution-dyed acrylic.
- Prepare solution: Mix 250ml (1 cup) of bleach with 60ml (1/4 cup) of mild soap (like dishwashing liquid) in 4 litres of water.
- Apply and soak: Apply the solution to the affected area. For severe mould, allow it to soak for up to 15 minutes.
- Scrub: Use a soft-bristle brush to gently scrub the mould away.
- Rinse thoroughly: Rinse the fabric completely to remove all soap and bleach residue.
- Air dry: Allow the fabric to air dry fully. The sun will also help kill any remaining spores.
Video Guide (uses bleach safely): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0T0t2P9N70
5. Bird Droppings
Annoying but simple to remove.
- Remove excess: Carefully scrape or brush off as much of the dried droppings as possible.
- Prepare solution: Use your standard mild dish soap and lukewarm water solution.
- Clean: Apply the solution and gently scrub the area with a soft-bristle brush or sponge.
- Rinse thoroughly: Rinse with clean water.
- Air dry: Let the fabric air dry.
6. Ink Stains
For pen marks or other ink-based stains:
- Blot: Blot excess ink with a clean cloth.
- Apply solution: Some sources recommend a 1:20 solution of dishwashing liquid to water. For stubborn ink, you might try a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 2 parts water) or a product like Vanish
- Test first: Always test any stronger cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first.
- Gently scrub: Work the solution into the stain with a soft brush.
- Rinse thoroughly: Rinse with clean water.
- Air dry: Allow to air dry.
General Tips for Fabric Care & Longevity
- Regular Cleaning: The easiest way to keep your Outside Space NZ furniture looking great is regular light cleaning. Brush off loose dirt weekly and hose down occasionally.
- Don’t Use Harsh Chemicals (Unless Specified): While bleach is safe for solution-dyed acrylic, avoid general-purpose harsh chemical cleaners, solvents (unless for specific stains like oil), or abrasive scrubbers unless explicitly recommended.
- Avoid Pressure Washers: These can damage the fabric weave and water-resistant coating. A standard garden hose is sufficient.
- Dry Completely: Always ensure your cushions are fully dry before storing or covering them to prevent mould and mildew growth.
- Restore Water Repellency: Over time, and with repeated cleaning, the factory-applied water-repellent finish on your fabric may diminish. You can easily restore this using a fabric guard spray specifically designed for outdoor fabrics, like 303 Fabric Guard (available at marine stores or online in NZ). Apply to clean, dry fabric according to the product instructions.
Check out a video on restoring water repellency: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX-y00lqXwE (Generic video on 303 Fabric Guard, shows application)
Still Stuck?
While our fabrics are incredibly resilient, if you encounter a stain that just won’t budge, or if you have any questions about caring for your specific Outside Space NZ furniture, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. We’re the experts in premium outdoor furniture for Kiwi living and are always happy to help our customers keep their investment looking fantastic.
In some instances you can order a replacement cushion for your Outside Space set from us if your particular stain gets the better of you!
Love your Outside Space NZ outdoor furniture? Share your cleaning successes with us on social media!
Kerry is the co-owner of Outside Space NZ, offering a range of contemporary outdoor furniture for coastal living kiwis seeking premium quality products and design at achievable prices
