Metal patio furniture requires regular upkeep in order to remain looking its best, whether made of aluminum, powder-coated iron, or wrought iron. Simple maintenance tasks such as soap and water application and thorough drying with a towel typically suffice.
Rusty areas on wrought iron or unpainted aluminum furniture should be cleaned using white vinegar or an industrial rust remover product, while adding a light coat of wax may further protect your metal outdoor furniture.
Washing
Metal patio furniture may be durable, yet it still gets scratched over time, which necessitates regular cleaning to preserve its finish. Scratches may be removed using non-abrasive liquid cleansers with antiseptic qualities to eliminate grease and grime accumulation; powder cleaners can help get rid of dirt or mineral deposits; whatever solution used it’s important that as little water touches metal pieces as possible in order to avoid corrosion issues.
All metals are susceptible to corrosion and rusting, but aluminum is particularly susceptible due to its low melting point and lightweight nature. Therefore, special care must be taken when washing aluminum outdoor furniture in order to preserve its protective coating; regularly wiping down furniture with warm soapy water may help – any mild detergent must not contain acids as this could degrade it further and compromise the protective layer protecting aluminum furniture.
Wrought iron outdoor furniture can be more difficult to keep clean than other metal patio furniture due to its tight curves and crevices, so an easier method might be using a vacuum with a brush attachment, nylon scrub brush or old toothbrush to get into tight spots. When cleaning this type of furniture, avoid alkaline cleaners like ammonia or TSP (trisodium phosphate), as these could damage its surface and lead to etching.
If the fabric on your metal furniture is covered in performance fabric, check it to determine its composition. Performance fabric (also called solution-dyed) features pigment-infused fibers which resist sunlight damage and mildew growth while often withstanding more vigorous cleaning agents than printed or piece-dyed materials.
Scrubbing
Metal patio furniture such as stainless steel, wrought iron and aluminum patio sets can become discolored over time, leading to unsightly stains and discolorations that is both unsightly and disaesthetic. Regular cleaning helps eliminate these unsightly marks while acting as a protection barrier against buildup and corrosion. While standard washing techniques often suffice in keeping debris at bay for most pieces of metal patio furniture pieces, special techniques exist for more challenging stains or discolorations issues that require special attention.
Cleaning metal garden furniture requires extra elbow grease; doing so can restore its original luster and shine. The first step should be removing cushions, pillows or any accessories to facilitate deep-cleaning processes as well as accessing hard-to-reach places.
Assuming your outdoor metal furniture has already been assembled, begin cleaning it using a sponge and cleaner mixture. Create a solution of cleaning powder or liquid detergent in a bucket of warm water and dunk your sponge into it to scrub any soiled areas on its surfaces. Once complete, rinse and dry using a cloth or towel.
White vinegar and water solutions can be an effective way to remove dirt, mineral deposits and finger prints from metal furniture surfaces. Bleach or dish soap may also be effective ways of eliminating these nuisances from metal surfaces.
Vinegar
Even if you keep metal furniture away from water and sand sources, rust may still develop over time. The good news is that it can be removed easily if taken care of quickly.
An ongoing cleaning schedule is key to the long-term health and appearance of outdoor metal furniture, and serves as a defense against corrosion or other potentially hazardous substances that may accumulate over time.
As part of your cleaning routine, start by wiping down your furniture with a dry cloth to remove any dust or dirt that has settled onto its surfaces and avoid leaving behind any scratches from scrubbing brushes. This step should help avoid leaving behind any scratched marks from their usage.
Wrought iron furniture pieces feature tight curves, nooks and crevices, making it more challenging to clean than other metal garden chairs and tables. A soft brush with mild cleaning solutions such as warm water mixed with dish soap should work wonders at getting these delicate surfaces cleaned thoroughly.
Wrought iron furniture can easily accumulate rust and calcium deposits. To address this issue, an acidic solution such as vinegar and soda may help clean your item effectively and remove rust or calcium build-up while leaving your furniture looking brand new.
Spray your metal furniture with paint designed specifically for metal, adhering to the directions on the can and wearing an approved respirator (for optimal results). This will create an additional protective layer and help ward off further corrosion.
If your wrought iron or steel furniture has already begun showing signs of rust, try soaking the affected area in white vinegar to try and get rid of it. Or use an automotive rubbing compound or polish to rub down and abrade off any light oxidation that has built up on its surface.
Bleach
Metal outdoor furniture may look beautiful when first purchased, but over time it can lose its shine and become stained or rusted. Regular cleaning will prevent further deterioration while maintaining its appearance; depending on what kind of metal it’s composed of, different methods will prove most useful for its care.
If you own aluminum, wrought iron, or powder-coated furniture, one effective method for washing it is using a garden hose with warm water to loosen dirt and debris before gently scrubbing with a sponge and non-abrasive liquid cleaner to eliminate scuff marks left by shoes, lawnmowers, or other equipment. For stubborn spots use mild steel abrasive pads.
As well as clearing away dust, dirt, and grime from furniture surfaces, this method will also assist in eliminating any areas of rust that have begun forming on them. Rust should always be addressed as soon as it appears; waiting could make removal more challenging.
Alternatively, for furniture that’s beyond repair or shows signs of rusting, consider trying a stronger combination of white vinegar, bleach and baking soda in equal parts in warm water bucket. Use a sponge or soft brush dipped into this solution to scrub affected areas before rinsing off afterward to reveal fresh and clean metal patio furniture pieces!
Baking Soda
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an indispensable household product with many uses. From its use as a leavening agent in baking recipes and pretzel bronzed hue, to breaking down pectins to help preserve canned fruits and vegetables, as well as cleaning dishes, scrub surfaces and absorb odors in refrigerators or enclosed spaces; and homeopathic remedies used to relieve heartburn – Baking soda may even whiten teeth!
Water and baking soda combined can effectively remove rust from metal patio furniture. By mixing equal parts of both ingredients into a thick paste, apply to the area where there is rusting, let sit, then scrub with a toothbrush to scrub out. Use soaps or other cleaners if they fail; baking soda has an alkaline pH, which dissolves deposits or buildup from surfaces over time.
As opposed to bleach, which should always be diluted before being applied directly onto fabric furniture, vinegar and baking soda cleaning solutions can be safely applied on metal. Before attempting this solution on actual furniture however, make sure that a test spot has been identified so as not to risk damaging it further.
Keep a homemade solution of full-strength white vinegar and baking soda handy in a recycled spray bottle near outdoor furniture to combat mildew, using it whenever there are signs of mildew forming and wiping it off with damp sponge. It should work effectively every time!