Cleaning outdoor furniture regularly can prevent mildew and rust buildup as well as keep it looking like new. Use a cleaner specially tailored for the material used to craft it.
Similarly, metal patio furniture requires special treatment after it has been cleaned to prevent dirt from adhering to its surface and further detracting from its aesthetic value. Applying car wax could also help keep dirt at bay.
Plastic
Plastic patio furniture is one of the more cost-effective solutions for outdoor seating, yet even this material requires regular care and cleaning to remain beautiful and discoloration resistant. When cleaning plastic pieces it is especially important that a safe cleaner be used; otherwise it could discolor.
To clean plastic patio furniture effectively and efficiently, begin by brushing or clothing away loose dirt or debris with a brush or cloth. Next, prepare the cleaning solution by mixing mild dish soap or laundry detergent with water; for more stubborn stains or mildew issues bleach or vinegar may need to be added as well – be sure to test this cleaner on an inconspicuous area first before attempting full coverage of all pieces.
Once your plastic furniture has been thoroughly cleaned, use a hose to rinse it and sanitize its surface before wiping with a soft towel or rag to avoid water spots and damage. Finally, for an extra boost in shine try using WD-40; typically used in mechanical projects but also an effective lubricant that restores plastic furniture’s lustre.
If you own a glass tabletop, be sure to clean it regularly with a damp cloth to eliminate excess dirt and smudges. Alternately, mix equal parts white vinegar and water together and wipe down the surface, which may help remove streaks or smudges on its surface.
To clean plastic outdoor chairs, begin by scrubbing away dirt or grime using a sponge or scrub brush. If your chairs feature cushions, place them outside so they cannot pick up new stains. Next, combine 1 tablespoon of dish detergent with 1/4 cup Borax in warm water bucket and dip a non-abrasive scrubber into it before scrubbing front and back of each cushion using garden hose for rinse off before wiping down with clean towel or rag in order to air dry in sunlight – you could spray frames/swivels/ swivels lubrication to help protect from rusting as well.
Wood
Wood patio furniture looks beautiful when new, but quickly loses its natural luster over time. Regular care and cleaning are key to prolonging its lifespan and should include scrubbing off dirt and grime using a scrub brush or toothbrush, followed by moving in the direction of grain when cleaning wood pieces to avoid cross-grain scratches that shorten its lifespan.
Once you’ve carefully removed as much dirt and debris from your furniture as possible, use a low-pressure setting when spraying it off with a hose. Doing so won’t damage the surface of wood furniture or unravel wicker weaves; then use a soft cloth soaked with mild soap and water to wipe down its surfaces before proceeding further with harsh chemical cleansers as these may etch or dull its finish.
If your stubborn stains do not respond to basic cleaning methods, try an oxygen bleach mixture. Combine 2 oz. of powdered oxygen bleach with one gallon of water and apply to furniture; let it sit for 15 minutes (or as instructed on its package), before using a soft brush to scrub in the direction of grain while paying special attention to areas with mold, mildew or algae growth. After this procedure has completed, rinse it all off using your garden hose.
Once your furniture has been thoroughly cleaned, it’s best to apply protection so as to reduce future work. A coat of car wax should do just fine on plastic, resin and metal surfaces; it will repel dirt that causes scratches and pitted marks over time and help your furniture remain scratch-proof for longer.
Teak, acacia and eucalyptus wood should be sealed using light oils or cleaners specifically tailored for these materials. Be sure to test any sealants, wood treatments or paints on an inconspicuous area of the piece prior to applying them over its entirety.
Fabric
No matter if it is wicker furniture with cushions and umbrellas, metal patio chairs with canvas covers or fabric-covered pillows and sofas in your outdoor living space, regular cleaning should be a top priority to maintain its fresh and inviting appearance and ensure years of relaxation and pleasure in comfort. By employing appropriate cleaning techniques and tools to achieve this end goal, your furniture can look its best while staying inviting to users for years to come.
Clean outdoor fabrics quickly and effectively by wiping them with dampened cloth or sponge dipped in water and mild cleaner. This method should especially come in handy after rainstorms or when bird droppings have fallen onto furniture. Doing this should remove dust particles as well as light marks, leaving cushions soft and fresh-feeling.
For deeper dirt or stains, a gentle cleaning solution may be required. One tablespoon of Gain or Tide laundry detergent mixed in one gallon of lukewarm water may work in most instances; some fabrics may require stronger solutions. Always test any new solutions on an inconspicuous area before use and avoid chlorine bleach, pine oil and any abrasive cleansers as possible options.
If you notice a stain on your furniture, it is crucial to act quickly to prevent it from seeping into the fibers and becoming permanent. If your cushions feature removable canvas covers, these should be laundered in cold or warm water according to care label instructions for best results. Alternatively, for furniture without removable covers soak fabrics with 1/4 cup Gain or Tide laundry detergent mixed with one gallon of lukewarm or cool water and let air dry before replacing covers or fabrics back onto furniture.
If you don’t feel confident or don’t have enough time to hand-wash your furniture yourself, enlisting professional cleaners may be useful. When selecting one for outdoor fabrics it’s essential that they use only organic cleaning solutions which won’t damage material or leave behind chemical smells; additionally reputable companies should offer warranties against their work in order to safeguard investments and ensure peace of mind for customers.
Cushions
Maintaining clean fabric cushions requires being vigilant in spotting spills or stains and responding promptly, to prevent them from setting in and becoming difficult to eliminate. Furthermore, vacuuming or dusting your furniture regularly is also key in order to limit dirt accumulation.
If your patio furniture features removable cushion covers, cleaning them could be as straightforward as popping them in the washer (following any care instructions on their tag). Or alternatively, power washing fabric cushions and coverings is another effective method that may take more effort on your part.
Mild dish-washing detergent mixed with water should be sufficient to thoroughly clean outdoor cushion fabrics. For particularly stubborn stains, white vinegar or borax may provide additional assistance; borax works particularly well at lifting oil stains such as those from food debris and suntan lotion.
Your cushions can stay clean by employing stain-lifting spray. Most fabric cleaners come in the form of spray bottles that make this task easy – simply saturate the stained area with your chosen solution, wait 15 minutes, and then gently scrub over it to restore its condition.
Scrubbing should be enough to remove most mildew stains from fabric, though for particularly stubborn cases you could combine borax and warm water to form a cleaner that penetrates deeper to kill mildew spores. When finished scrubbing the fabric can then be rinsed off using a hose.
When dealing with grease, oil or other sticky substances on fabric surfaces, try soaking the stained areas in a mixture of one teaspoon of dish-washing detergent and one tablespoon of borax per quart of warm water. Allow this solution to soak for 15 minutes, before scrubbing fabric using a sponge dipped into it. After that time is up, simply hose it off before allowing your cushions to air-dry completely before inflating and placing back onto furniture so as to prevent mildew growth.