How to Clean Outdoor Furniture

Nothing brings an outdoor space together like clean, comfortable patio furniture. Discover how to clean outdoor furniture made of plastic, wicker, teak, metal, and more with this fabulous furniture care guide. Learn tips and tricks to help you tackle dirty patio furniture and keep it clean through the seasons.

Weather-worn patio furniture covered in dirt and grime doesn’t inspire the feeling of tranquility you’re probably hoping to create. All patio furniture needs routine cleaning and maintenance to stay looking its best. Ideally, schedule cleaning a few times per year; at the start of summer, middle of summer, and end of summer.

Furniture sets are expensive, and the more tips you have to prolong the life of your purchase, the better. A turn-of-the-season furniture refresher is a great way to restore the look of your patio pieces. Learn the best method to clean your specific patio furniture type and how to protect it from the elements year after year.

How to Wash Patio Furniture Quickly and Easily

A clean, well-maintained set of patio furniture looks inviting. It provides a haven from the busy everyday world right in your own backyard. It doesn’t take much to care for your patio furniture, and this article will show you how to do it with easy-to-follow tips for almost every kind of outdoor furniture.

Discover the easiest ways to fix water stains on outdoor wood furniture with vinegar. This list will also teach you to clean plastic and hard-resin furniture and restore wicker, wood, teak, and metal furniture without breaking the bank.

These outdoor furniture cleaning tips will revolutionize how you clean and care for your patio pieces every season and save you the expense of replacing furniture prematurely.

Cleaning Outdoor Furniture Made of Plastic

Plastic and hard-resin outdoor patio furniture is a popular choice for many American households; it’s inexpensive, has diverse designs, and is relatively durable. However, if you have several large plastic furniture pieces, it can feel overwhelming.

Don’t worry; washing patio furniture made of plastic or hard resin doesn’t have to be difficult and time-consuming. This tutorial is easy-to-follow and should help you get your patio furniture ship shape for the summer season.

Fill a 1-gallon bucket with warm water, baking soda, and a dollop of mild dish soap. Gently scour the grime off the plastic surface with a soft brush or cloth. Rinse the soap and debris away with the garden hose, or fill the bucket again for rinsing.

Stay away from abrasive cleaners that might leave scratches, and avoid harsh cleaners like chlorine bleach because it could eat into the plastic.

How to Clean Outdoor Furniture Made of Metal

Metal patio furniture is timeless, strong, and stylish. A quality set looks stately, stands up well to inclement weather, and you know you won’t be chasing a sturdy iron patio chair across the lawn during an intense windstorm.

A complete set of metal, aluminum, or iron patio furniture is expensive and more high maintenance than plastic. Oxidization, or rust, is a common issue with neglected metal furniture and surfaces; use this recipe to keep your metal furniture looking pristine.

Cleaning outdoor furniture made of metal, iron, or aluminum doesn’t require fancy products; you only need mild soap and a brush.

Mix some dish detergent and warm water, spray your furniture, wipe it down with a soft cloth, and dry it thoroughly with a second clean cloth. Brush rust off metal patio tables and chairs, and finish with a rust-resistant primer or powder-coating.

How to Clean Wicker Outdoor Furniture

Woven wood furniture comes from materials like rattan, willow, and bamboo. Harvesters dry and weave these natural plants to create lightweight, attractive wicker-patterned furniture such as coffee tables and dining chairs. There are also two types of wicker furniture; natural and resin wicker.

Natural wicker benefits from regular dusting with a soft cloth, but resin wicker needs a little extra love to look its best. Find out how to clean outdoor furniture made of rattan, willow, and bamboo, and refresh your worn-out wicker furniture with this simple soap recipe.

Dust your wicker furniture with a soft cloth to remove dirt and debris. Get a clean spray bottle and fill it with warm water and Murphy Oil Soap, then spray a soft cloth (not the wood) and gently wipe the wood. A small soft bristle brush like an old toothbrush will get the crevices; your wicker should look brand new before you know it.

How to Clean Teak Outdoor Furniture

Teak furniture is the epitome of beach resort chic. This exotic wood is imported from tropical forests and carries a hefty price tag. Learn how to wash patio furniture made of elegant, expensive teak while preserving its natural beauty for continued enjoyment.

Teak is usually left untreated, which means it absorbs oil from food and our fingers and is highly vulnerable to greasy marks and buildup over time. Wood furniture like this needs a gentle touch and some mild granulated laundry detergent to look fresh and stain-free.

Grab the garden hose and spray the teak to wet the entire surface. Sprinkle the wood with granulated or powdered laundry detergent, gently scrub the dirt and oil marks and rinse again.

Teak furniture ages in the sunlight and becomes a soft silver-gray color over time. It benefits from light sanding every year to maintain the look of timeless and clean outdoor furniture.

How to Clean a Patio Umbrella

Cleaning outdoor furniture and prepping to have friends over means taking care of the details, including the patio umbrella. Fortunately, most patio umbrellas are made of robust, weather-resistant material and are easy to look after.

Umbrellas, by nature, take a beating from the elements; rain, snow, and relentless sun. If you have a reasonable amount of precipitation in the spring, you might even see a mild mildew infestation between the umbrella folds; that’s where this incredible DIY cleaning spray comes in handy.

To treat mildew, dirt, and grime, make a homemade patio furniture cleaning solution with a 1 to 1 mix of distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Then, use a scrub brush to give your patio umbrella the once over. Some patio umbrellas or canopies are removable and machine washable; look for manufacturer’s tags to indicate proper care instructions.

How to Clean Patio Glass and Make It Sparkle

All it takes are a few fingerprints to dull the look of outdoor glass surfaces. Smudges and smears are unavoidable during an outdoor gathering, and you need tips to keep those greasy prints under control. Discover how to wash patio furniture with glass surfaces and accents with these easy-peasy tips.

Find a clean sponge, wet it with warm water, and wipe the glass table well, removing all dirt, debris, leaves, and food residue. Fill a clean, repurposed spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and white vinegar, spray the glass surface, then wipe it down with an absorbent paper towel to reveal a sparkling shine.

If your glass surfaces have chips and nicks, look for an affordable glass repair kit or DIY scratch removal system to restore those well-loved glass tabletops. These kits are inexpensive and readily available online or at your local hardware store; follow the manufacturer’s directions and watch the incredible results.

The Best Way to Clean Outdoor Cushions

Of course, we can’t forget clean patio cushions. A comfy set of clean outdoor cushions completes the look of your patio furniture. It is the first thing your guests touch when they sit down to enjoy some family time. Clean outdoor cushions are easily achievable.

Deodorizing porch furniture with vinegar spray is one option, but you can also check your cushions for zippers and washing machine instructions. Many outdoor cushions have removable covers that allow easy cleanup and quick washing.

Most outdoor furniture has vibrantly colored fabrics that require a color-safe detergent. Look for an oxygenated bleach or a strong laundry detergent to break down greasy buildup and destroy any accumulated mildew.

Never put your outdoor cushion covers in the dryer unless the tag says to do so; you don’t want the fabric shrinking to the point that you can’t zip it around the cushion filling.

Tips for Disinfecting Outdoor Furniture

Germs and bacteria linger on surfaces long after the guests have gone, and it’s great to have some ideas to help sanitize dirty patio furniture after a big get-together. One easy, inexpensive, and effective way is to disinfect patio furniture with vinegar.

This homemade vinegar spray is for you if you’re concerned about cleaning outdoor furniture after a large social gathering. Make a handy DIY disinfecting spray with simple ingredients.

Combine one cup of clear, distilled white vinegar and one cup of warm or hot water in a repurposed spray bottle and gently shake it. Spray a light mist of your vinegar spray over the surface of your patio furniture pieces, and use a soft or microfiber cloth to trap tiny particles and clean unwanted bacteria.

This mild vinegar solution is safe for most surfaces and won’t disturb the finish, even on expensive teak pieces; if unsure, do a small test patch in an inconspicuous area.

Knowing how to clean outdoor furniture keeps your space looking its best and ready for unexpected company or a friendly neighbor to drop by. Fresh, clean patio furniture is the cherry on top of a beautiful backyard and is easily achieved with a bit of scheduled maintenance throughout the season.

The method you use to clean your patio furniture depends on the material it’s made of, and it’s important to know what you’re working with before applying a cleaner that could damage the finish. Most times, a simple no-frills cleaner like Murphy Oil Soap or mild dish soap is enough to loosen and lift dirt and oil.

Proper storage is essential, too. Take the time to pack and store your outdoor furniture over the winter, especially if you live in an area with snow or inclement weather.

Sudden temperature changes may cause your patio furniture to expand and contract, creating cracks or even breaking your furniture; choose a shady spot and cover the furniture with a tarp if you don’t have a garage – your patio furniture will thank you.

If you loved learning how to clean outdoor furniture with our incredible patio furniture preservation tips, share this info with friends on Pinterest and Facebook who adore clean, comfy outdoor furniture.