With spring around the corner, it’s time to enjoy your backyard, sit on the porch swing, enjoy outdoor meals, or simply show off your beautiful patio furniture.
However, with spring also comes pollen! That’s right, plants shedding billions of microscopic particles that can make your patio furniture look grimy and worn out.
If you have patio furniture, you know how quickly it can get covered in pollen. Not only does this make it difficult to enjoy your outdoor space, but it’s also not great for the environment.
Luckily, there are some simple ways to clean up pollen from your patio set to make it look new again. This article will discuss some tips on how to clean pollen off your patio Furniture!
Contents
- How To Clean Pollen Off Your Patio Furniture
- 1. Vacuum the Pollen Away with a Shop Vacuum
- 2. Wash With Water and Vinegar Solution
- 3. Pressure washer can also do the work
- 4. Cover your Patio Early Enough
- 6. Hose it Down :
- Frequently Asked Questions on Cleaning Pollen on Furniture
- What does pollen do to fabrics?
- What is the yellow dust on my patio furniture?
- How do I prevent pollen buildup?
- Author
How To Clean Pollen Off Your Patio Furniture
Pollen is a nuisance to many households. It gets all over your backyard, but most of all, it’s on your patio furniture.
There are a few ways to get rid of this annoyance, and they’re all pretty simple. Let’s jump right in!
1. Vacuum the Pollen Away with a Shop Vacuum
This method is quick and easy and will not leave behind any residue. Simply use the vacuum with a brush attachment to get rid of any loose pollen stuck in your fibers.
Try out this vacuum: BISSELL Zing Vaccum.
Remember, you do not want to soak up all the moisture…just the pollen.
To start, turn on your vacuum and use it to suck up any loose pollen from the furniture. If you’re having trouble finding the pollen, just blow lightly on specific areas to get them moving into position for vacuuming.
Do this until all visible pollen has been picked up. Finally, spritz your cushions with water to help dissolve remaining pollen particles before using a mild cleaner for disinfecting purposes.
The most important thing is that you don’t overdo it with the water! Just a light spritz should do the job. Overdoing it will make your furniture soggy and cause mildew growth.
Related Post: Patio furniture sets for big people
2. Wash With Water and Vinegar Solution
Water and vinegar is a great mixture to clean off pollen and mold because of their anti-fungal properties. Simply mix it with water in a spray bottle to use at your convenience!
Wet down your patio furniture with the cleaner mixture, then wait 10 minutes before wiping it off. This will give the acid in the vinegar time to eat away at the pollen and kill any bacteria on contact.
Let your furniture set overnight when using this method so that everything is given enough time to soak into all nooks and crannies. The longer you let it sit, the better!
See this: How to dry a couch cushion
3. Pressure washer can also do the work
If you want to blast pollen off your furniture at all costs, a pressure washer is the way to go. They typically aren’t as expensive as car washes and can be used for all types of outdoor cleaning.
Make sure to start with the lowest setting and increase it if needed. When using extreme water pressure, always remember that safety comes first!
Ensure you’re wearing protective eyewear and clothes that won’t get ripped or stained by splattering water.
Finally, let your patio furniture sit overnight before use so that everything can dry out completely (and smell fresh). There’s nothing like sitting on a damp cushion…yuck!
Related Read: Best outdoor furniture for Arizona heat
4. Cover your Patio Early Enough
This is more of a preventive measure, but it’s definitely one you should consider. If pollen is the bane of your existence, then simply cover up all surfaces like you would before winter.
The easiest approach on how to keep pollen off patio furniture is to purchase an anti-pollen cover for your patio furniture.
This will not only keep out unwanted dust particles but also bugs and other insects that can make you severely allergic!
While this method won’t remove any pollen that has already stuck itself on your furniture, it can prevent new layers from forming when carefully applied in advance!
Pro Tip: Always read instructions before using protective covers. Some may need to be removed regularly or have fans placed underneath them for better ventilation.
Try this anti-pollen cover
6. Hose it Down :
This is the general approach that most people take, and it’s one for a good reason! It’s simply more convenient to hose down your patio furniture than using harsher chemicals or spending hours at a time scrubbing away.
Check out this nozzle sprayer to fix on your hose pipe: Garden Hose Nozzle Sprayer
Simply grab a good-quality sprayer, attach it to your garden hose, turn the water pressure up all the way, and blast away!
Be careful not to use too much water because this may damage furniture finishes due to prolonged exposure or simply cause mildew growth if allowed to sit for extended periods.
Also Read: How to keep spiders off porch
Frequently Asked Questions on Cleaning Pollen on Furniture
What does pollen do to fabrics?
A: According to a recent study, the fabric can be commonly affected by airborne pollutants such as pollen, dust, and mold.
These contaminants are known to produce foul odors that tend to get trapped inside cushions, especially where average air circulation isn’t present.
You’ll often notice the distinct musty scent immediately upon removing these covers from storage!
What is the yellow dust on my patio furniture?
A: If your patio furniture is covered in fine yellow dust, it’s usually pollen! Tiny granules will stick to blankets and cushion material without you even realizing it.
When uncovered, they can end up causing severe allergies (particularly if any of them get into the folds).
How do I prevent pollen buildup?
A: Keeping your outdoor furniture well-protected during the spring and summertime is one way to avoid this problem altogether.
Bring cushions inside when not in use so that they don’t collect dust particles or debris. Wash them regularly with mild soap solutions to keep them looking good as new!
As you can see, yellowing cushions or covers is a common problem that many people have to deal with at one point. There’s no need to panic because it’s usually an easy fix as long as you know what you’re doing!
The 6 methods of how to clean pollen off your patio Furniture presented here should come in handy when cleaning up your outdoor furniture for the springtime.
Check this out: Why is polywood patio furniture so expensive?
