Professional Cleaning, Fabric Testing, Protection & Climate-Controlled Storage
Outdoor cushions take a tremendous amount of abuse from the New England environment. Sun, rain, humidity, pollen, dirt, tree sap, bird droppings, sunscreen, body oils, salt air and mildew can all take their toll.
But an outdoor cushion is not simply an outdoor cushion.
Different fabrics, dyes, cushion constructions and levels of soiling can require different cleaning procedures. That’s why we don’t approach outdoor cushion cleaning with a one-size-fits-all method.
At Alec’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, we have been professionally cleaning fabrics since 1962 and have been serving customers through Alec’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning since 1970. With more than 56 years of hands-on experience, we understand that knowing what you are cleaning is just as important as knowing how to clean it.
Outdoor Cushion Cleaning for Hingham Homes
Hingham’s coastal environment presents some particular challenges for outdoor furniture.
Cushions may be exposed to:
- Sand and fine grit
- Pollen
- Dirt and soil
- Rain and moisture
- Humidity
- Tree sap
- Bird droppings
- Sunscreen and body oils
- Food and beverage spills
- Mildew and other organic contamination
- Salt and coastal air
- Prolonged outdoor exposure
These contaminants don’t all behave the same way, and they don’t necessarily respond to the same cleaning method.
That’s one reason we don’t believe in simply applying one cleaning solution and procedure to every outdoor cushion.
Every Outdoor Cushion Fabric Is Different
One of the most important parts of our outdoor cushion cleaning process happens before we begin cleaning.
We test the fabric on every outdoor cushion to help determine how that particular fabric should be treated.
Outdoor fabrics can vary considerably. Even when two cushions appear similar, they may have differences in:
- Fiber composition
- Dye stability
- Fabric construction
- Cushion construction
- Age and condition
- Previous cleaning
- Type and severity of soiling
- Staining
- Exposure to sunlight and weather
For example, Sunbrella and other solution-dyed outdoor fabrics are specifically designed for outdoor use, but that doesn’t mean every outdoor fabric should automatically be treated in exactly the same way.
We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to outdoor cushion cleaning.
Our approach is to evaluate the fabric and its condition first, then select the cleaning procedure, cleaning solutions and moisture level appropriate for that particular cushion.
I discuss this in more detail in:
Ask Alec: Are All Outdoor Cushions Really the Same?
Professional Outdoor Cushion Cleaning in Our Abington Facility
Because outdoor cushions can be bulky, heavily soiled and difficult to clean properly at home, we perform our professional outdoor cushion cleaning at our facility in Abington, Massachusetts.
This allows us to control the cleaning environment and devote the time necessary to properly clean, rinse, dry and inspect the cushions.
Our process can include:
1. Pickup
We arrange pickup of your outdoor cushions in Hingham and transport them to our facility.
2. Fabric Testing & Evaluation
Before cleaning, we examine and test the fabric to determine the appropriate cleaning approach.
We consider the fabric, dyes, construction, condition and type of soiling rather than assuming every cushion can be cleaned the same way.
3. Professional Cleaning
We clean the cushions using a procedure appropriate for the particular fabric and condition.
Different contaminants may require different approaches. The goal isn’t simply to make the cushion wet and remove some surface dirt. The goal is to clean it effectively while treating the fabric appropriately.
4. Thorough Rinsing
After cleaning, the cushions are thoroughly rinsed to remove cleaning residues and loosened soil.
5. Controlled Drying
Outdoor cushions need to dry thoroughly.
Improper or incomplete drying can leave moisture trapped inside the cushion, which is why controlled drying is an important part of our process.
6. Final Inspection
After cleaning and drying, we inspect the cushions again.
We look at the overall condition, remaining spots or staining, fabric appearance and general cleanliness before the cushions leave our facility.
7. Optional Professional Fabric Protection
If appropriate for the particular fabric, we can also apply a professional fabric-protection treatment.
Outdoor fabrics may originally have a factory-applied protective finish, but that protection can diminish over time through sunlight, weather exposure, cleaning and normal use.
A professionally selected fabric protector can help provide additional resistance to spills and everyday soiling.
We don’t automatically recommend protection for every cushion. The fabric, condition and intended use should be considered first.
8. Protective Wrapping
For cushions being stored, we carefully wrap them after cleaning, drying and inspection.
9. Climate-Controlled Storage
We also offer climate-controlled storage for your outdoor cushions.
This can be particularly convenient for Hingham homeowners who don’t want to find space in a garage, basement or storage area for bulky outdoor cushions during the winter.
Your cushions can be professionally cleaned, thoroughly dried, inspected, wrapped and placed into our climate-controlled storage environment until you’re ready for them again.
10. Delivery
When the new outdoor season arrives, we can arrange delivery of your cleaned and stored cushions back to your Hingham home.
Outdoor Cushions We Commonly Clean
We clean many types of outdoor cushions and upholstered outdoor furniture, including:
- Patio chair cushions
- Deep-seating cushions
- Sofa cushions
- Loveseat cushions
- Chaise lounge cushions
- Bench cushions
- Outdoor dining cushions
- Porch furniture cushions
- Sunroom cushions
- Outdoor sectional cushions
- Cushions made from Sunbrella and other outdoor fabrics
Every cushion is evaluated individually because the fabric and condition can vary.
Don’t Grab the Garden Hose or Pressure Washer Just Yet
Outdoor cushions may look like something that can simply be hosed off.
Sometimes that approach appears to work.
But outdoor fabrics can have different construction, dyes and finishes, and pressure washing, bleach or inappropriate cleaning solutions can create problems that aren’t immediately obvious.
Before attempting to clean expensive outdoor cushions yourself, it’s worth understanding what you’re dealing with.
I’ve written about some of the potential problems in:
Ask Alec: Before You Grab the Garden Hose, Pressure Washer or Bleach
Don’t Wait Until the Cushions Look Terrible
Outdoor cushions don’t necessarily need to look filthy before they benefit from professional cleaning.
Dirt, pollen, body oils, sunscreen and other contaminants can accumulate gradually. Coastal air, moisture and humidity can add to the problem.
Regular professional cleaning can be part of maintaining your outdoor furniture rather than waiting until the cushions have become heavily soiled.
I also discuss the importance of prevention in:
Ask Alec: Is an Ounce of Prevention Worth a Pound of Cure When It Comes to Outdoor Cushions?
Why Hingham Homeowners Choose Alec’s
When you have expensive outdoor furniture, the cleaning process matters. Our approach is based on more than simply having the equipment to clean cushions.
- More than 56 years of hands-on experience — I began professionally cleaning carpets and fabrics in 1962 and started Alec’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning in 1970.
- Every fabric is tested — We evaluate every outdoor cushion before cleaning rather than assuming every outdoor fabric can be treated the same way.
- No one-size-fits-all cleaning — We select the cleaning procedure based on the fabric, condition and type of soiling.
- Professional in-plant cleaning — Cleaning at our Abington facility gives us greater control over cleaning, rinsing and drying.
- Protection and climate-controlled storage — When appropriate, we can provide professional fabric protection and seasonal climate-controlled storage.
- Pickup and delivery — We can handle transportation to and from our facility.
Serving Hingham and the Surrounding Area
We provide professional outdoor cushion cleaning for homes throughout Hingham, including areas around:
- Hingham Harbor
- Crow Point
- World’s End
- Turkey Hill
- South Hingham
- West Hingham
- Hingham Centre
- And surrounding communities
Whether you have a few patio chair cushions or a complete outdoor furniture set, we can discuss the appropriate cleaning and seasonal storage options.
Other Services for Hingham Homes
We also provide specialized cleaning for carpets, upholstery and area rugs:
Professional Carpet Cleaning in Hingham, MA
Upholstery Cleaning in Hingham, MA
Area Rug Cleaning in Hingham, MA
You can also visit Ask Alec for practical advice about carpet, upholstery, area rugs and outdoor cushions.
Ask Alec: Outdoor Cushion Cleaning & Care
Here are a few articles I’ve written about outdoor cushions:
- Are All Outdoor Cushions Really the Same?
- Before You Grab the Garden Hose, Pressure Washer or Bleach
- Is an Ounce of Prevention Worth a Pound of Cure When It Comes to Outdoor Cushions?
These articles explain some of the things I have learned over the years about cleaning and caring for outdoor fabrics.
Professional Outdoor Cushion Cleaning in Hingham, MA
If your Hingham outdoor cushions need professional cleaning, protection or seasonal storage, we can help.
We can arrange pickup, evaluate and test the fabrics, professionally clean and rinse the cushions, control the drying process, inspect them, apply fabric protection when appropriate, wrap them for storage and keep them in our climate-controlled storage environment until you’re ready for them again.
Alec’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Serving Hingham and surrounding communities since 1970.
Call us to discuss your outdoor cushions: 781-871-1415