How to Clean Patio Furniture

Learn how to clean patio furniture and maintain its beauty for many years to come.  Protect your investment with these easy tips to clean wood, metal, wicker, plastic, and fabric furniture!

 

Our backyard patio is one of my favorite places to be during the summertime.  We eat out there as much as possible, and I try to get at least a little relaxation time out there each day.  Sometimes I read a book or magazine, and other days I just like to soak up some of that beautiful, summer warmth.

How to Clean Patio Furniture

Outdoor patio furniture can be a big investment so it definitely pays to learn how to care for it.  With just a little regular cleaning and maintenance, you can keep your furniture looking great for years to come!  Follow these tips and learn how to clean patio furniture for a beautiful outdoor space you can enjoy all summer long.

General Cleaning Tips for Outdoor Furniture

There are definitely some differences in cleaning procedures {that I will talk about below} depending on what type of furniture you have, but almost all will start with a good brush or vacuum to get rid of any loose debris followed by a wash down with soapy water.

To clean, mix 1/4 cup of dishwashing liquid {I like to use good ol’ blue Dawn} with one gallon of warm water and scrub down with a rag or brush, paying extra attention to those areas with dirt, grime, mold, or mildew.  Rinse down with a hose before the solution dries and allow the furniture to completely dry.

Patio furniture should be thoroughly cleaned when you first start using it in the spring and then again before it is put away in the fall.  Additional maintenance cleaning {which shouldn’t take too long!} can be done as needed throughout the summer months.

How to Clean Wood Outdoor Furniture

If you’re still left with stains following the basic cleaning, mix approximately 2 tbsp. of powdered oxygen bleach with one gallon of water and apply to the wood using a brush.  Alternatively, you can make a mixture of 1 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 gallon water. {I haven’t tried this one though}.  Use a soft brush to work on the stains.  Allow the solution to remain on the wood for approximately 15 minutes before rinsing again with the garden hose.  {NOTE: This should not be used on Redwood as it can darken the pieces}.   When you’re using the brush, scrub only in the direction of the wood grain especially when you are working on soft woods like pine or cedar.  Dry completely in the sun.

Once your furniture has dried you will likely need to do some sanding.  Washing your wood furniture will raise the grain a bit, so smooth it down using a medium-grit sand paper either by hand or using a palm sander.  Be sure to sand and smooth in the direction of the wood grain.

Next you will need to seal your furniture with a resin-based pigmented sealer {if you wish to retain the original wood color} or a clear sealer {if you would like the wood to turn more of that silver-gray color as it ages for a more rustic look}.  To avoid lines, be sure to maintain a wet edge with the sealer and do the sealing in the shade so it doesn’t dry too fast.  If you want a different wood tone or would like to go for something more colorful, there are also lots of colored wood stains available to choose from. Throughout the summer, regularly wipe down your wood furniture to remove dirt, debris and any excess water.

How to Clean Metal Patio Furniture

As you are cleaning your metal furniture, watch out for any areas of rust, especially at the joints.  The quicker you can deal with rust, the better, so don’t skip over those little rusty areas.

For any rust spots, use steel wool, a wire brush, or sandpaper to rub down to the bare metal.  Then use a paint specifically designed for metal to patch up any spots that you sanded.  Some furniture will actually come with touch up paint, but if not, just match as closely as possible.   Finish the entire piece with a silicone sealant for added protection {or you could also use a paste wax as noted below for the plastic furniture}.  If you have large areas of rust, it may be best to just repaint the entire piece – just go for a spray paint and you will be done in no time! {NOTE: If you are going to be repainting the whole thing, dull the existing finish a bit using steel wool}.

How to Clean Plastic Patio Furniture

For extra cleaning power with the basic cleaning, you can sprinkle baking soda on the sponge to serve as a mild abrasive.  For extra grimy areas, make a paste with baking soda and water and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes.  Rinse well with clean water or a garden hose.  If there are still stains, you can combine 2 tbsp oxygen bleach/gallon of water and scrub down the stained areas again.  For mildew on white furniture, use 1 cup bleach per gallon of water and leave on for 10-20 minutes before rinsing. {NOTE: Bleach is not recommended for regular cleaning as it can eat away at the material}. For colored plastics, apply a solution of 1/4 cups vinegar to one quart water instead of the bleach and follow the same procedure.

To restore shine and help repel dirt, polish your plastic furniture with a paste wax {like you would use on a car}.  Allow the wax to dry for a few minutes and then wipe off any residue with a clean cloth.  As an added bonus the slick finish, will help to make any future cleaning much simpler!

How to Clean Wicker Furniture

For traditional wicker that has been painted, you will need to be a little more gentle with the cleaning and use only a sponge or rag to avoid paint chipping.  A mild oil-based soap such as Murphy’s Oil can also be used. Unpainted wicker or synthetic wicker should be able to withstand a little more vigorous scrubbing.  If you have any loose strands, tuck them in as you go – when they are wet, they will be more pliable and should be easier to repair.  If your wicker is requiring a paint refresh, you can just use the standard outdoor paint to add the color of your choice. Wicker can be quickly hosed down every few weeks during the summer months, to prevent any accumulation of debris in all of the little crevices.

How to Clean Synthetic {Resin} Wicker

A lot of the outdoor furniture these days is made with synthetic wicker {or resin wicker} due its durability.  If you like the look of wicker, but live in more weather-variable climates, resin wicker is a great option and is super easy to maintain.  You really shouldn’t need any more maintenance than the general cleaning instructions above.  If you do have any areas with stubborn mildew, you can try a power washer on low setting to get into all of the grooves.  Just be careful not to get too close with the water stream to protect the integrity of the furniture.

How to Clean Patio Umbrellas

Many patio fabrics have been treated with special coatings to protect from UV rays and/or water, so it ‘s important to first check any cleaning guidelines on the cushion tags for specific cleaning instructions and restrictions.  If cleaning instructions aren’t specified, mix up a cleaning solution of 1 tsp. mild dish soap, 1 tsp Borax, and 1 quart of warm water. Spray on the solution and scrub along the umbrella working from top to bottom. Let the solution sit for approximately 15 minutes but do not allow to dry completely. Rinse with a hose and make sure to leave the umbrella open until it is thoroughly dried.

If your umbrella tends to accumulate bird droppings, remove these as soon as possible due to the high acidic content. Fels Naptha soap is another great cleaning alternative to remove bird droppings and other stains if the above solution doesn’t remove everything.  Just use a scrub brush to scrub over the soap bar and then apply to the umbrella.

Obviously, the less your patio furniture is exposed to harsh weather conditions the better, so look for ways to protect it when not in use.  If you can, store patio furniture indoors during winter months to prevent additional weathering or invest in a good set of patio covers if this is not feasible.   To avoid mold, mildew, and other set in stains, make sure that your patio furniture is always clean and dry before being stored away.

How to Clean Patio Cushions

I have a whole post on how to clean patio cushions, so check out all of my tips and tricks to clean your outdoor cushions here.

 

Now all that’s left to do is to head outside and enjoy those outdoor spaces!

For more summer patio ideas, check out these posts…

Flavored Lemonade Bar

How to Get your Backyard Spaces Ready for Summer

How to Clean a BBQ