How To Clean A Papasan Chair Cushion

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Papasan cushions are an item you use with your daily furniture for comfort and to increase your living room's aesthetic value. Cleaning the cushion periodically and with care ensures its purpose is served well. In this article, you will see how to clean a Papasan cushion.

Contents

How to Clean a Papasan Cushion
- Materials Needed
- Precautions to Be Taken
- Step #1: Use a Vacuum Cleaner
- Step #2: Use Soapy Water
- Step #3: Dry the Cushion
- Step #4: Add Some Fragrance
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Cleaning a Papasan Cushion Tedious?
- Is Cleaning a Papasan Cushion Expensive?
Conclusion

How to Clean a Papasan Cushion

Papasan cushions are made of polyester, making them durable and as comfortable as hugging a body pillow. However, they require regular cleaning.

Materials Needed

Some warm water, amount depending on the size of the cushion.

Upholstery shampoo if the stains are very stiff.
Laundry detergent.
A table fan, if available.
A bristle brush for still stains or a soft piece of cloth.
A vacuum cleaner to effectively remove dust.
A paper towel.
Some deodorizing material.

A papasan chair with few cushions in place

Precautions to Be Taken

Going for cushions that can be easily wiped and are water repellent are recommended. This is because the cushions are prone to get dirty, especially if you have pets.
Always use a cushion cover. This has primarily two advantages. The cushion cover ensures the Papasan doesn't accumulate much dirt and is easy to clean.
Also, if you want to change the appearance of your room, instead of buying a new cushion, you can simply change the cushion cover.
If you spill or stain the cushion, remember to clean it instantly. If the stain marks dry up, it becomes tough to remove.
Avoid using chlorinated bleaches as they may decolorize the cushion and reduce its aesthetic value.
Flip the cushions regularly so that indentation marks don't fall on any one side of the cushion. This maintains the color and looks of the cushion for a long time.

Step #1: Use a Vacuum Cleaner

A Papasan cushion is made with upholstered fabric, and regular dusting through vacuum cleaners helps maintain it in good condition. It also removes all small solid material and makes the cushion ready for a wash.

After dusting the Papasan cushion well, ensuring that no speck of dirt is left on it, you can proceed to wash it.

Step #2: Use Soapy Water

Fill a tub with warm water. The amount of water you take depends on the size of the cushion. Usually, filling half the tub should be enough.
Make a solution of upholstery shampoo and water. You may use detergent. Choose the chemical amount depending on the severity of the stain.
A shampoo is recommended for very stiff stains. However, if you don't have any, your regular detergent can serve the purpose. This is also quite effective for cleaning sheepskin seat covers.
Let the cushion soak in the water for some time. You will see that the dirt begins to get released, and the color of the cushion changes.
Scrub the cushion with a clean piece of cloth. If the cushion's fabric is durable enough, you can even use a bristle brush to scrub it.
If still there are any stiff marks left on the cushion, you can use a wet sponge to remove the spots.
Put some upholstery shampoo mixture on the wet sponge and use it to clean the cushion.
Use your hand to gently apply pressure on the cushion, so that warm water begins to release out of it, and then remove your feet to allow the water in again.
Allowing the warm water to enter and leave the cushion is essential to clean the cushion effectively.
Repeat this process for some time. Replace the water in the bucket and repeat the same process until you see satisfactory results.
Also, remember to flip the cushion regularly during the cleaning process. This ensures both sides of the cushion are uniformly cleaned.

Similar to the cleaning process of tennis balls, you can also use a washing machine to clean the cushion if it is too large. Always make sure to operate the machine in delicate mode.

While scrubbing on the cushion, make sure to do it delicately as it may damage the cushion otherwise.

Step #3: Dry the Cushion

After the cushion is properly cleaned, you also need to give it sufficient time to dry properly. The cushion mustn't stay wet before usage as it may incur permanent damage.

Apply pressure on the cushion to squeeze out all excess water from it. Any amount of moisture remaining inside can cause it to stink.
If available, use table fans to dry the cushion. Place the cushion as close to the fans as possible to expose most of its area to the fan.
This enables fast and smooth drying. If you don't have table fans, you can also place the cushion under your ceiling fan and run it at full speed.
After you have dried it under the fan, it is advisable to dry it under some sunlight. The warmth of the sunlight helps to make the cushion cozier and fluffier.
If your cushion is huge, it is advisable to dry it with industrial dryers available at professional stores.
Bear in mind that wet cushions can be weighty, and it's not ideal for carrying them alone.

Put a paper towel on the cushion and press it. If the paper gets wet, it means the cushion still has some moisture and needs to be dried further.

Step #4: Add Some Fragrance

Even after drying it and taking all precautions, the cushion may begin to smell foul if it isn't dried soon enough.

The foul smell occurs because of mold growth inside the cushion. This is highly undesirable and the last thing you want in your living room.

To prevent this, apply some deodorizing solution on the cushion so that there is no chance of a foul smell. You can try a mixture of baking soda and water, a deodorizing solution used for burlap fabrics. Then put the cushion cover back on.

Here's a short video about how to clean a cushion cover properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cleaning a Papasan Cushion Tedious?

Cleaning a Papasan cushion is a simple process if done systematically. It needs patience and proportionate use of chemicals.

Lifting the wet cushion can be a little tedious, and you should take someone's help for it. The rest of the process is not labor-intensive.

A bamboo papasan chair with a white papasan cushion

Is Cleaning a Papasan Cushion Expensive?

The Papasan cushion begins to look dull and accumulates dirt with time, especially when you are always busy and have no time for cleaning.

Since the cushion contributes to the aesthetics of your living room, it is natural you want it to look clean—the materials required to clean it last long and are usually used in the household. Therefore, cleaning it is financially worth it.

Conclusion

The process of cleaning a Papasan cushion is as simple as cleaning a cushion puff and can be done effectively by following some steps. Remember to be very gentle while cleaning it.