A removable cushion costs from €2 and the minimum order is €45, so it usually pays off for a whole set rather than two cushions. Surface dirt often comes out, but mould spots may stay. Send a photo and the specialist will tell you what to expect.
How outdoor cushions differ from indoor ones
Outdoor cushions are exposed to rain, dew and sun, and at the end of the season they often go into the shed still damp. The biggest problem is usually not dirt but moisture in the filling. Foam can hold moisture in its core, and that can cause mould if the cushion was stored before it dried.
Say in the form what cushions you have, how they are made and where they are kept. The fact that a cover is removable does not mean it can be washed: photograph the label, if there is one, because the care instructions set out what the fabric allows. If there is no label, test on a hidden spot first.
Mould spots on outdoor cushions
Black dots and grey patches on fabric may stay even after cleaning, and mould in the filling itself is a separate matter. The US EPA says mould can fill the empty spaces in porous material and may be difficult or impossible to remove completely, so porous material may have to be replaced.
- Cleaning usually makes sense if the spots are on the surface and the filling does not smell.
- It is usually better to replace a cushion that smells of damp even when dry, or if mould is visible in the foam.
- Weigh up the price: a couple of cheap cushions may cost less than one minimum order.
More on foam and mould: mould in a sofa. Cleaning does not kill mould in foam.
When to clean: before the season or before storage
This job makes sense at two points: in autumn before storage, so that dirt does not stay in the fabric until spring, and in spring, when the cushions come out of storage and it becomes clear what happened to them over the winter. The most important thing is that after cleaning the cushions dry completely, and only then go into the shed or a box.
Drying depends on humidity, temperature and filling: it is quicker on a dry, windy day and slower in a rainy week. The Health Inspectorate (Veselības inspekcija) says that above 80% relative humidity in a room there is a high risk of mould, so a damp shed is not a good place for the winter. Store cushions in a dry, ventilated place.
What comes out of outdoor cushions and what may stay
Usually comes out
- dust, pollen and seasonal dirt on the fabric
- drink and food stains from the terrace table
- surface marks, if the filling is dry
May stay
- mould spots, especially on light fabric
- fabric faded by the sun
- a mouldy smell from the foam
- foam that has broken down or gone flat
Sun fading is not dirt, and cleaning does not restore colour. After cleaning, a faded area can become even more visible, because the layer of dirt is gone.
How much outdoor furniture cushion cleaning costs
A removable cushion costs from €2. That is the price for a small removable cushion; a thick seat cushion, a sun lounger pad or a swing seat is larger, and the specialist gives the price for those from a photo. Smell treatment costs extra, from €15. The price depends on size, fabric, how dirty it is, smell and distance, and we agree it before work starts.
The minimum order is €45: if the total is lower, you pay €45. That is a lot for a few cushions, so combine them with furniture from the house or order the whole set. A couple of cheap cushions may be cheaper to replace. Travel is included in Riga and up to about 15 km outside Riga; further out it is from €10. All prices are on the prices page.
Sources
- Foam holds moisture in its core checked 7 November 2026
- Mould in porous material may not be removable checked 7 November 2026
- Washing covers separately; with no code, test on a hidden spot checked 7 November 2026
- Above 80% relative humidity there is a high mould risk checked 7 November 2026