Despite how much fun we had renting a pressure washer a few years back, we hesitated to buy one. We didn’t want another bulky tool to store, and it didn’t seem like something we’d use frequently. Still, signs kept piling up that we were missing out: a neighbor sang its praises, it showed up in blog feeds, and then there was the pollen. This year the pollen was relentless. Exhibit A:
Those pillows live in the open sunroom at the back of our house, not long after we finished the space in 2014. Because the area is covered, we leave most of the furniture out year-round and use it even on mild winter days. But come early spring, every surface in central Virginia gets coated in a fine layer of tree pollen. If you’re squeamish about grimy, dingy, pollen-covered items, this might not be the post for you.
Usually once pollen season eases in mid-May, I hose everything down and call it a day. Last summer, though, the cushions looked dingier than when we bought them. We tried an outdoor cleaner that attaches to the hose plus some scrubbing, but they still felt a bit dirty and we ended up using the space less.
This year we were talking with an outdoor furniture manufacturer for another project and asked about cleaning cushions. They recommended a pressure washer as a good option — with caveats: use low pressure to avoid tearing fabric or seams, ensure cushions drain well to prevent mildew, and always test an inconspicuous spot first.
After the intense pollen season, Sherry and I started looking for an affordable, compact electric pressure washer. Our exact model is no longer sold, but we bought a compact 1600 PSI electric unit. It’s light-duty — great for cleaning cushions and patio surfaces, not for stripping paint or washing high places. We liked that it was small, easy to store, and quick to set up: attach the hose, plug it in, and turn it on.
I started on one pillow so I could flip it if the fabric didn’t hold up. The washer has a soap tank if you want to use detergent, but I tried plain water first. You can see the difference on the right side below — goodbye grime.
After that successful test, I cleaned more cushions cautiously, always testing in hidden areas and keeping the nozzle a safe distance from the fabric. One outdoor dining chair cushion frayed a little (good thing I tested first), but everything else cleaned up beautifully — you can see a clean stripe on this pillow. It really felt like magic.
The bigger challenge was the large sofa cushions. The photo below shows the protected original color on the right, where throw pillows had shielded it, and the rest of the cushion showing heavy discoloration. Not exactly inviting to sit on.
My goofy heart-shaped cleaning mark gives away how pleased I was with the result. The pressure washer removed stubborn stains and discoloration that hadn’t budged the previous year.
One caution is that pressure washing can impact any stain- or water-repellent treatments a manufacturer applied. After cleaning, I checked our cushions and the water still beaded on the fabric, so the treatment seemed intact. If you’re concerned, you can reapply a protective spray like outdoor Scotchgard to restore repellency.
While I had everything out, I moved furniture bases and discovered dirty spots on the tile beneath. Leaves had stained areas that hadn’t seen sunlight in a while. You can see the clean tiles at the bottom and leaf-stained tiles at the top in the photo below.
I ended up pressure washing the entire tile floor since it had developed a grimy layer over the years. The tile we chose hides dirt well, which is nice until you lift something and see how dirty it actually is. Here’s a corner where the egg chair and a garden stool had sat for months — this is the before:
And here’s that same spot after washing and drying:
Now the sunroom feels thoroughly refreshed. I’m already thinking of other outdoor surfaces that could use the same treatment, but for now I’m savoring how clean everything looks. Here are a few pictures we took on Monday to show the finished space.
We’ve talked on our podcast about how, despite the deck needing work, we want to spend more time outdoors this summer. Restoring the furniture to its original condition feels like an important step toward that goal. Now I can relax on the couch without worrying about a green pollen cast on my clothes when I stand up.
If you’re in the market, the current version of the pressure washer we bought is available from the manufacturer. And remember: always test your fabrics first and use low pressure to avoid damaging them. A deep clean now may mean lighter maintenance in future seasons, possibly with soap in the tank for regular touch-ups. I admit I’m tempted to find every excuse to use it again—though not on any actual puppies, just for the record.
Psst – in the mood for more home update ideas? Check other outside projects and makeovers.
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