How to Clean Patio Furniture: Here's the Answer

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When the sun comes out, so does the patio furniture, as everyone wants to enjoy the sunnier days outside. However, during the winter months, as the furniture is stored away, dust can collect. It’s then important to take the time and effort to clean your patio furniture properly before having guests over.

When it comes to cleaning your patio furniture, you may be wondering how to clean patio furniture. You want to ensure that your events don’t have any unexpected guests such as spiders and bugs by cleaning your furniture thoroughly. You want your home to be the place to be for family functions, not the place that people are scared of going to.

Knowing exactly how to clean your patio furniture is key as you could also accidentally ruin your furniture by cleaning it with the wrong products. In today’s article, we’ll go through how to clean patio furniture depending on what type of material it’s made out of. So, keep reading for the best home maintenance tips for patio furniture.

How to clean wood and wicker outdoor furniture?

When it comes to cleaning your furniture, it’s suggested that it should be done at least four times throughout the year. This is to make sure that nothing builds up, which can then be difficult to remove and cause damage to your furniture. You should also try to store the furniture away from the impact of the elements to ensure that it doesn’t get ruined by moisture or the sun.

Tip: try to make some space in your garage to fit your outdoor furniture when the weather gets really bad.

It’s also important to remember that not all furniture can be cleaned the same way. There are certain products you can use for each type of material your patio furniture is made from. You need to keep this in mind when purchasing your furniture because the material determines the cleaning process. Pick a less intensive option if you don’t want to spend much time on this maintenance task.

Let’s break down the different furniture types and how to clean them, starting with wood and wicker. Wicker is a more affordable material used when it comes to furniture, and manufacturers cater to people’s needs. So, there are a lot of options, including outdoor recliners.

Tools

You’ll need to make sure that you have the right tools and cleaning supplies ready before starting the cleaning process.

This includes:

Soft nylon-bristled brush
Mild oil-based soap
A sponge
Microfiber cloth

It’s important to have the correct cleaning products in order to clean your furniture properly, so nothing damages your furniture. You wouldn’t want to spend money on furniture and then ruin it just by cleaning it the wrong way.

These days there are a lot of cleaning products out there that claim to do the job but make sure the ingredient list doesn’t contain something it’s not supposed to.

Step-by-step guide

The first step you should take when cleaning your furniture is wiping down the furniture and gently brushing away any debris with the nylon-bristled brush. This is to make sure that most of the dirt is removed before washing it down. After doing that, mix the soap with some lukewarm water and then get the sponge and start cleaning the furniture.

Once you’ve washed your furniture, use the microfiber cloth to remove any excess water and then leave it out to dry naturally. Make sure you leave it out in the sun and not in the shade, as this can cause that ‘damp’ smell to take over your furniture over time.

If you have hardwood furniture, it’s suggested that you should think about sanding it down once a year to reapply a fresh layer of protective finish. This way, you can keep the piece of furniture looking fresh and new even if you’ve owned it for years.

If you’re looking for a good option when thinking about purchasing wicker furniture, the Ohana 7-Piece Outdoor Patio Furniture set is definitely worth the money. It has a 4.5-star rating due to how comfortable and weather-resistant it is. If push comes to shove, you can leave this set out no matter the weather, as it has been made for all weather conditions.

How to clean metal, iron, and aluminum outdoor furniture?

There is a specific technique when it comes to maintaining metal, iron, and outdoor aluminum furniture. Although these types of furniture pieces can be on the pricier side, you can make sure that they are kept in good condition in order to keep them rust-free. That makes for a long-term investment.

You can also purchase rust-resistant primers and paints to then give your frames a better chance at staying rust-free. Avoid using any solvent, acid, or alcohol-based cleaners. These types of cleaners can do more damage than actually help with your cleaning needs.

Let’s go through the supplies you’ll need for these three types of outdoor furniture.

Tools

The list of supplies you’ll need are as follows:

Garden hose
Two microfiber cloths
Soap

Step-by-step guide

Before starting your cleaning process, remove any pillows or upholstered cushions. The pillows will have to be cleaned separately as they will need their own cleaning method, which we’ll go through later on in this article. Fortunately, it won’t be that difficult so cleaning your furniture shouldn’t be too time-consuming.

Gently spray down the furniture with the garden hose to get any excess dirt off before wiping it down. This step will help make sure that you don’t rub any dirt particles around that could cause more damage to your furniture. Once you’re satisfied with the spray down, get your microfiber cloth in some lukewarm water with the soap you’ve chosen before you start wiping down the frames.

Wipe down the frames a few times in order to make sure that you’ve removed all dirt. Also, wipe down the frames with soap-free water after wiping them with soapy water.

Be sure not to use anything abrasive as this can damage the material. You’re trying to extend the life of your outdoor furniture. If you want a more hassle-free option, then look into other lawn chairs such as camper chairs, recliners, and sports chairs.

How to clean outdoor glass furniture?

When it comes to owning outdoor glass furniture, you want it to remain as sparkly and squeaky clean as possible. In order to do that, you have to be extra careful when you clean. You can’t clean glass with just anything so makes sure that you use a fabric that can deal with tough marks and messes but won’t scratch the glass, such as a microfiber cloth.

You’ve probably noticed that a microfiber cloth has been mentioned in all the cleaning methods already mentioned, and that’s because it can help remove dirt but not damage anything, all thanks to its soft surface. The best part about using microfiber cloths is the fact that if you buy them in bulk, you can use the clothes all over your home when cleaning.

You won’t have to spend tons of money on different cloths when microfiber can do it all. You can invest in good quality cleaning products to use with your cloths that just make your life easier! There is really no need to buy different cloths for different surfaces when microfiber cloths are gentle on everything.

Tools

Glass is the easiest material to clean as it doesn’t need anything specific. You can use:

Microfiber cloth
All-purpose house cleaner or glass cleaner

The list is extremely short due to how easy glass is to clean. It could be the easiest material to work with, but you still need to use the right cleaning tools to clean the frames separately.

Step-by-step guide

The steps to cleaning your glass table are as follows; first, wipe it down with your microfiber cloth. This is to remove any surface dirt before you use a wet cloth with the cleaner of your choice to then wipe over the table again. After you’ve wiped it with the soapy cloth, get a damp cloth and wipe it again to remove any product.

You can let it dry naturally, but if you don’t want any marks to dry on the glass. Feel free to dry it with a clean cloth. It can be ideal for drying it with a clean cloth rather than air dry since watermarks are annoying, and no one wants that on their recently cleaned glass.

How to clean plastic outdoor furniture?

Plastic is just as easy to clean as glass is as it doesn’t need a lot of products or time. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning patio furniture, then either—glass or plastic—would be a good choice. However, you have to make sure that you clean your plastic furniture just as well as you would any other material as it can become brittle and break.

This isn’t something you want to happen because if a guest were to sit down and injure themselves by falling over, you would feel terrible about it. Plastic is cheap and overall easy to maintain, but due to how easily it can break, it may not be a good idea if you’re trying to invest in outdoor furniture.

You should also look into furniture that is suitable for all your visitors. This means you need to keep weight limits in mind. Plastic can break under extreme weight, and that can be embarrassing for anyone. However, there are good products on today’s market, and a wise option could be the Ever Advance Oversize XL recliner. This chair can be used in your backyard or taken out with you wherever you go. It’s great for those who need the extra support and still want to remain comfortable when at family events.

Tools

Here are the few things you’ll need for cleaning plastic outdoor furniture:

Homemade cleaner
Microfiber cloth
Garden hose

With regards to the homemade cleaner, it’s suggested that it’s the best way to clean plastic furniture as it won’t eat away at the plastic. For white plastic furniture, mix ½ cup of baking soda with around 3.8 liters of water, but if you have colored plastic, mix ¼ cup white vinegar with about 1 liter of water. Avoiding any other chemicals ensures your furniture will last longer and stay in good condition.

Step-by-step guide

Start off by spraying down the plastic furniture to remove any dust and dirt, so nothing scratches the material while you clean. Then get your chosen cleaning solution and start to wipe over the furniture. You can wipe the plastic as much as you want to make sure that it’s clean as possible. Then rinse off the solution with the garden hose.

If you have any stubborn marks or stains, use baking soda on its own on a wet sponge to help break down the dirt build-up. The sponge will be tough enough to remove any marks but not cause any damage to your furniture.

How to clean outdoor furniture upholstery?

You may remember the days when furniture was a lot simpler, where they came with no cushions or upholstery. However, these days all chairs are built for comfort as more people are spending time outside. Of course, when you have guests over, you want to know that they’re all comfortable, so upholstery furniture is the option for you.

Suppose you’ve made the leap and bought upholstery outdoor furniture you want to make sure that it’s well looked after year-round. Unfortunately, the fabric can start to look discolored and dirty really quickly, especially if you decide to leave it outside during wet weather.

Besides taking the time to clean the furniture correctly, you can also invest in some furniture covers. This is a great idea for those who don’t have enough spare space to bring the furniture inside when the weather gets bad.

A cover can be placed over your upholstered furniture in order to protect the cushions as well as the overall frame too. The added benefit of this is the fact that you can then trust that it will stay clean for a little longer. You will have to clean it from time to time, though, because dust can still start to build up. Getting a cover can also ensure that the longevity of your furniture is extended.

Tools

Cleaning upholstery isn’t difficult, nor do you need a lot of products. Most of the lists of cleaning products throughout this article are short anyway, but with upholstery furniture, you don’t have to worry about the cleaner too much. However, try to avoid any products with bleach in them.

Here is what you’ll need to clean your outdoor furniture upholstery effectively:

Soap
Soft-bristled brush
High-pressure hose

If your upholstery can be washed without the inner fillings, the first two items are all you’ll need. However, if the inners don’t come out, then you’ll also need the high-pressure hose. If you don’t have a high-pressure hose, a regular hose can be used, but you’ll have to make sure you rinse the cushions thoroughly.

Step-by-step guide

It’s a good idea to start with the upholstery as it will take the longest to dry. So, before cleaning the frame, take off all cushions and fabric from your outdoor furniture set. If you can remove the foam, do that before anything else. If it can’t be removed, don’t worry, as you can still clean your cushions.

With the covers alone, soak them in soapy water until completely wet and covered with soap. Then start to scrub with the soft-bristled brush. Make sure you scrub every inch of the cover, inside and out. Next, rinse the covers and repeat the cleaning process if you are not satisfied. Once it’s as clean as you want it, rinse it in clean water and leave it to dry naturally.

It’s important to leave it out in the sun as that ‘damp’ smell we talked about earlier can also set into the fabric. Make sure that the covers are completely dry before putting the foam filling back into the cushions.

Suppose the inners can’t come out, no problem. You can still wet and scrub at the covers until you’re satisfied. Then use your high-pressure hose to rinse off all the cleaning product that was put onto the cushions. Again, leave it to dry naturally in the sun.

Final thoughts

Upkeeping your furniture doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. But if you want your investment to last, it has to be done. Buying furniture is an investment these days as it’s not cheap at all. You need to make sure that you clean your furniture in order to get the most out of it.

Knowing how to clean patio furniture will help you use your furniture for a long time as well as ensure that it looks as good as the day you bought it. The next time you have guests over, make sure you’ve cleaned your patio furniture correctly to avoid people talking about your gathering for the wrong reasons. This summer, enjoy the fresh air and warm sun on your patio with clean and well-looked-after furniture.