How To Clean Outdoor Furniture

Tips On Cleaning Your Outdoor Furniture

The summer months have just started, so our time to enjoy the beautiful warm weather has also begun. Make the most of the sun by firing up the grills, getting out on the patio, working on your summer tans, and enjoying some quality time with the friends and family.

If you have outdoor deck or patio furniture and are making good use of the summer weather, then we believe that keeping your patio furniture beautiful, fresh, and clean will also enhance your outdoor experience.

Today’s post brought to you by CLEAN Choice, will offer you some great tips on how to clean your outdoor deck and patio furniture. The process will be easy and quick! If you have upholstered cushions our your favorite outdoor furniture, give us a call at (410) 978-6050 or contact us online to help spruce it up!

What Cleaning Solution Should You Use?

To start, brush off or vacuum the furniture to remove all loose debris.

When cleaning outdoor furniture, it is best to use warm water since it is more effective at removing the dirt and grime, but make sure it’s not too hot as many manufacturers warn against using hot water on their fabrics. Just to be safe, it is a good idea to take a look at the tags on the cushions to see what each specific manufacturer recommends.

We have some cleaning solutions for just about any type of material you may have. Simply mix the desired ingredient with 1 gallon of water, put the mixture into a spray bottle or bucket, grab your sponge, and you’re all set!

• Clear dishwashing liquid (add enough to make it sudsy, but not overly bubbly)– Works on any material
• ½ Cup of Baking Soda – Great for resin and plastic furniture
• ½ Cup of White Vinegar – Excellent on wood furniture
• ½ Cup of Bleach – Works well on plastic mesh – but avoid on white colors (is this supposed to just say avoid on colors?)

For the really pesky stains and spots you can use:

• WD-40 – Cleans well when applied directly on plastic
• Oil-based soaps – Best used on wood materials

Scrub -> Rinse -> Dry

• Scrub the furniture with your desired cleaning solution.
• Rinse with warm water (but again, not too hot), use a hose with a nozzle set to low – resist power washing
• Dry using a soft cloth, like a dish or hand towel

Tips For Cleaning Specific Outdoor Patio Materials

Wood/Wicker

• Commercial wood cleaners can be useful, but always remember to read the product labels for specific instructions, as some will suggest diluting the cleaner or only using a small amount.
• Lightly hose down wicker furniture every few weeks to prevent a build-up of dirt and grime
• Regularly wipe the surfaces of your wooden furniture to rid them of dirt, debris, and excessive water.

Glass

• Dish detergents or Windex work best on glass.
• Make sure to pick cleaning tools that are soft and will not scratch the glass
• If possible, cover glass furniture or surfaces whenever they are not in use
• After every cleaning, wipe down the glass with paper towels or a soft cloth

Plastic

• Baking soda and WD-40 work best on plastic
• If your furniture is colored, white vinegar + water will also work efficiently, to avoid any color loss
• Get rid of stains using a mix of baking soda and a wet sponge, rubbing in a circular pattern
• You can use WD-40 to retain the shine on the furniture
• After wiping the furniture down from cleaning, you can coat with a wax to reapply and maintain the shiny surface

Metals

• A mixture of white vinegar + water is your best option here
• Use steel wool to remove rust
• Wipe off metal residue from removing the rust
• Avoid using any chemical cleaners, as they may corrode different types of metal
• Apply automotive was to help protect the metal surfaces