Caring for your fabric furniture.
Outdoor fabric is built to live outside — but it's still a fabric, and a little regular care keeps it fresh, clean and looking its best. Here's everything you need to know.
What your furniture is made of
Your set combines a rust-free, powder-coated aluminium frame with all-weather outdoor fabric and quick-dry foam. The fabric is woven and treated to be water-repellent, UV-stable and fade-resistant, while the quick-dry foam lets water pass straight through so cushions drain and dry rather than holding moisture inside.
It’s designed to handle a rain shower and bounce back — but it isn’t indestructible. Treating spills promptly, keeping it clean and storing the cushions sensibly are what keep fabric furniture looking new for years rather than seasons.
Routine cleaning
A light, regular clean is far better than an occasional deep scrub. Aim for a quick brush-down through the season and a proper clean once or twice a year.
Brush off loose dirt
Use a soft brush to clear dust, pollen, crumbs and leaf debris from the fabric before it has a chance to work in. Doing this regularly prevents most marks from ever forming.
Wash with warm soapy water
Mix a little mild washing-up liquid into warm water. Sponge it gently over the fabric, working it in with a soft brush if needed. Always clean the whole panel, not just the mark, to avoid leaving a water ring.
Rinse thoroughly
Rinse with clean water until all the soap is gone — leftover detergent attracts dirt and can leave the fabric feeling stiff. A low-pressure hose is ideal.
Air-dry fully
Stand cushions on their edge so air reaches both sides, and let everything dry completely before stacking, storing or covering. Never put outdoor cushions in a tumble dryer.
Dealing with the inevitable
The golden rule with outdoor fabric: act quickly. Most spills lift easily if you get to them before they dry. Blot — don’t rub — to lift the spill rather than push it deeper into the fabric, then clean as below.
| Spill | What to do |
|---|---|
| Food & drink | Blot up the excess, then sponge with warm soapy water and rinse. Repeat if needed. |
| Grease & oil (sun cream, food) | Lift excess with a blunt edge, apply a little washing-up liquid directly, work in gently, then rinse well. |
| Mud | Let it dry completely, brush off the bulk, then clean any residue with warm soapy water. |
| Bird droppings | Remove promptly — they can mark if left. Soften with warm water first, then clean and rinse. |
| Mildew / green film | Surface growth from damp, not damage. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush, rinse, and dry fully in the air. |
Always test any cleaner on a hidden area first, and avoid bleach or harsh solvents unless the care label specifically allows them — they can strip the fabric’s water-repellent finish.
Keep it simple — and safe
Do
- Treat spills quickly, while still fresh
- Blot, don't rub
- Clean the whole panel to avoid rings
- Dry cushions fully before storing
- Cover the whole set over winter
Don’t
- Use a high-pressure jet wash
- Use bleach or solvents (unless the label allows)
- Machine-wash or tumble-dry the cushions
- Stack or store cushions while damp
- Leave cushions out in heavy rain
Looking after each part
Cushions
The covers aren't designed to be removed, so clean them in place: sponge gently with warm soapy water, working over the whole panel rather than just the mark, then rinse and let them air-dry fully. Stand them on edge so both sides dry. Avoid soaking, machine-washing or harsh cleaners, which can damage the fabric or strip its water-repellent finish.
The aluminium frame
The frame needs almost nothing — a wipe with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, then a dry-off. It won't rust, but drying around joints and feet keeps water spots away and stops moisture sitting on the finish.
Season by season
The fabric and frame are weatherproof and can stay outside all year. Because the cushions stay with the set, a breathable cover over the whole set is the best way to protect it — it keeps the cushions cleaner and drier through the wetter months and stops dirt and debris building up. Just make sure everything is clean and bone-dry before you cover it, so moisture isn’t trapped underneath.
A few common questions
- Will the fabric fade? It's UV-stable and fade-resistant, so any change over many years is gradual and even. Keeping it clean and covered when not in use helps it stay looking new for longer.
- My cushions got caught in the rain — are they ruined? No. The fabric is water-repellent and the quick-dry foam lets water drain through rather than soaking in, so a shower won't harm them. Just let them dry out fully in the air before covering the set again. Keeping the set covered when it's not in use is the best way to avoid it.
- There's a musty smell or green patches. That's surface mildew from being stored or left damp, not a fault. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush, rinse, and dry thoroughly in the open air.
- Can I take the covers off to wash them? The covers aren't designed to be removed, so they're cleaned in place — sponge with warm soapy water, rinse, and air-dry. Don't machine-wash, as this can damage the fabric and strip its water-repellent treatment.
- Water no longer beads on the fabric. The water-repellent finish can wear over time. A wash often revives it; if not, a fabric-safe outdoor re-proofing spray can restore the beading.
Your furniture is covered by a 3-year warranty. Looking after it as set out here helps keep it within the terms of that guarantee. Damage caused by misuse, pressure washing, harsh chemicals, or storing cushions while damp isn’t covered — so a little routine care protects your cover as well as your furniture.
Need a hand?
If something doesn’t look right, or you’re not sure how to tackle a mark or a repair, please contact your retailer before you reach for anything stronger. They’ll always rather help you get it right first time.