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Remove stains and odors with these simple care tips
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With regular use, your papasan chair cushion can gather dirt, grime, and unpleasant odors. Luckily, it’s easy to wash the cushion at home in your bathtub with a bit of laundry detergent and elbow grease. In this article, we’ll also share other ways to clean the cushion if you don’t want to get your hands dirty and cover how to get rid of stains and odors with expert advice from cleaning specialist Elias Weston. Read on to learn how to clean a papasan chair cushion and keep it in great condition for years to come.
Washing a Papasan Chair Cushion
Vacuum the cushion. Then, soak it in a tub of lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes. Drain the tub, refill it with water, and add a splash of laundry detergent. Let the cushion soak and then step on it to agitate and clean it. Rinse out the cushion in fresh water and let it air dry in front of a fan.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
Hand Washing a Papasan Chair Cushion
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Vacuum your chair to remove dirt and debris. Place an upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Then, use it to vacuum up dirt, hair, crumbs, and other debris on the front and back of the cushion. [1] X Research source
- Pay special attention to any crevices and folds to remove as much dirt as possible. Just use a thin nozzled vacuum attachment to get into the nooks and crannies.
- If you have a cover on your cushion, remove it before vacuuming the cushion. Then, wash the cover according to the instructions on its care tag.
- Ask a friend to help you clean your papasan cushion. The cushion can be heavy and hard to manage when it’s wet, so having someone help you can make the job easier.
- Note : Check the care tag on the cushion before washing it. If the tag says not to hand wash it or get it wet, take it to a dry cleaner to get it cleaned.
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Soak the cushion in your bathtub for 10 to 15 minutes. Fill your bathtub about â…“ or ½ full with lukewarm water. Then, insert the cushion and push it down in the water so it’s fully submerged. Just let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
- If you don’t have a bathtub, soak the cushion in a large container or a kiddie pool.
- Soaking the cushion in water releases dirt and grime. As your cushion soaks, the water might turn brown or gray.
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Agitate the cushion for 5 minutes and then drain the dirty water. Step on the cushion with your feet or press down on it with your hands. This moves the water in and out of the cushion to help remove more dirt and grime. After a few minutes of agitating the cushion, drain the tub to remove all of the dirty water.
- Flip the cushion once or twice as you agitate it so both sides are cleaned.
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Fill the tub with lukewarm water and some mild laundry detergent . With the cushion still in the tub, refill the bathtub with lukewarm water. Then, pour in 1 to 2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) of a mild laundry detergent. Swirl around the water with your hands to help mix the water and detergent. [2] X Research source
- Adding laundry detergent to the water helps lift more dirt, grime, and odors than just plain water.
- Pour a few drops of detergent directly onto any dirty or stained spots on the cushion. Then, rub the detergent into the cushion with your hands or a cloth.
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Soak the cushion for 10 to 15 minutes and then agitate it. Leave the cushion submerged in the soapy water to release built-up dirt and grime. Then, step on the cushion with your feet or squish it with your hands to get the soap deep inside the cushion. Just agitate the cushion for about 5 minutes. [3] X Research source
- Flip the cushion once or twice to clean the whole cushion.
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Drain the tub and rinse the cushion in fresh water. Step on the cushion as you drain the tub to remove as much dirty, soapy water as possible. Then, fill the tub back up with lukewarm water. Step and press on the cushion to rinse out the soap and any leftover dirt. [4] X Research source
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Empty the tub and wring out the water from the cushion. Drain all of the water from the tub. Then, spend a few minutes stepping on the cushion to squish out as much excess water as possible; this helps your cushion dry faster. [5] X Research source
- Do not twist or contort the cushion, as this can damage the filling and fabric.
- Note : Rinse out the cushion a few times if it’s still full of soapy residue and grime. Simply refill the tub and step on the cushion until no more soap comes out of it and the water stays relatively clear.
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Leave the cushion to air dry in front of a fan. Take the cushion out of the tub and prop it up to allow air to flow over it on all sides. For instance, drape it over your porch railing, place it on a clothes drying rack, or hang it over the backs of a few chairs. Then, set 1 to 2 fans in front of the cushion to help it dry faster. [6] X Research source
- Dry your cushion indoors or outdoors in a well-ventilated area. If you’re drying it outside, keep it out of direct light so it doesn’t fade.
- Flip the cushion over several times to ensure both sides dry completely.
- It can take several hours to days for your papasan chair cushion to dry. Do not use the cushion until it’s completely dry, as a wet cushion can encourage mold and bacteria to grow.
- Alternatively, dry the cushion on top of several towels. Just replace the towels whenever they get wet from absorbing water.
- To test if the cushion is still wet, place a few paper towels over the chair and then step on them. If the paper towels get wet, then the cushion still needs to dry.
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Section 2 of 4:
Steam-Cleaning or Machine-Washing a Papasan Chair Cushion
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Go over the papasan chair cushion with a steam cleaner . To steam clean upholstery , cleaning specialist Elias Weston says to put a small fabric attachment on the steamer. Then, he recommends you “prepare the steam cleaner according to the model’s instructions” by “pouring water and soap into the machine.” Simply drag the fabric attachment over the cushion using quick, overlapping strokes to ensure you clean the entire surface.
- Vacuum and precondition the cushion with a soil emulsifier before steaming it. The pre-conditioner helps the steamer lift off more dirt and grime. [7] X Research source
- Let the cushion air dry in a well-ventilated spot outdoors or inside. Drape it over a railing or drying rack and set a fan in front of it to help it dry faster.
- Weston says steam cleaning “not only removes dirt and stains, but it also sterilizes surfaces and eliminates germs, allergens, mites, and bed bugs.”
- Note : Read the care tag on the cushion to ensure it’s safe to steam clean or get wet. If it isn’t, get it professionally dry-cleaned.
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Machine wash the cushion in a large-capacity washer. If you don’t want to hand wash or steam the cushion, clean it in a washing machine with a large drum. Simply choose a delicate washing cycle using cool or lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild laundry detergent . [8] X Research source
- Most laundromats have large-capacity washing machines if you don’t have one at home.
- Either air dry the cushion or place it in a large-capacity dryer to dry on low heat.
- Note : Check the care label on the cushion to see if it’s safe to machine wash or get wet. If it isn’t, take it to a dry cleaner.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionIf my dryer is big enough, can I just put it in the dryer after washing?Community AnswerNo, it's not a good idea. It could ruin the fabric and the shape of it. Try air drying it.
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Tips
- Check the care label on your papasan chair cushion before washing it. The care label tells you the safest way to clean the cushion.Thanks
- Always test cleaners and stain removers on a small, hidden part of the cushion first to see if they harm the cushion.Thanks
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Warnings
- Not letting the cushion dry completely can increase the risk of mold and bacteria growing inside it. If mold does grow, throw out the cushion and get a new one. Mold can irritate your lungs, eyes, and skin and cause an allergic reaction in some people. [16] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to sourceThanks
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Things You'll Need
Hand Washing a Papasan Chair Cushion
- Vacuum and upholstery attachment
- Bathtub
- Mild laundry detergent
- 1 to 2 fans
- Towels
Steam-Cleaning or Machine-Washing a Papasan Chair Cushion
- Steam cleaner
- Large-capacity washing machine
- Mild laundry detergent
Treating Stains and Odors on a Papasan Chair Cushion
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- Soft cloths
- Upholstery stain remover , optional
- Enzymatic cleaner
- Fabric spray
Maintaining a Papasan Chair Cushion
- Vacuum and upholstery attachment
- Papasan chair cushion slipcover
- Stain remover
References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/wNtbeyQ1P-g?si=87FV4Vkdd5ID1ijn&t=90
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/how-to-clean-couch-cushions-7095970
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/how-to-clean-couch-cushions-7095970
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/how-to-clean-couch-cushions-7095970
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/how-to-clean-couch-cushions-7095970
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/how-to-clean-couch-cushions-7095970
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/how-to-steam-clean-a-couch-8559169
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/za/in-the-home/how-to-clean-a-couch-and-cushions-at-home.html
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/home-living/dog-urine-stains/
- ↑ https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats/problemsolving/cleanupurine
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/za/in-the-home/how-to-clean-a-couch-and-cushions-at-home.html
- ↑ https://youtu.be/U85zCVVunfg?si=Q3tyefq6POHydJa2&t=41
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/za/in-the-home/how-to-clean-a-couch-and-cushions-at-home.html
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/za/in-the-home/how-to-clean-a-couch-and-cushions-at-home.html
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/za/in-the-home/how-to-clean-a-couch-and-cushions-at-home.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/mold-health/about/index.html
About This Article
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Reader Success Stories
- "Great instructions and drawings! Essentially our tub is a giant washing machine."
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"Great instructions and drawings! Essentially our tub is a giant washing machine."
"Now I do not have to buy a new cushion. Sweet."
