How to Clean Outdoor Furniture 

Your outdoor furniture is more prone to degrading because of the elements, regardless of the climate you live in. Cushions left in the sun will fade, and snow or hail can damage wicker chairs. In addition to bringing it inside when necessary, you should also regularly clean outdoor furniture so it stays in tip-top shape. But don’t accidentally wear away at your furniture with the wrong cleaning products. Like the furniture in your house and your interior surfaces, it’s important to pay special attention to the materials and the best cleaning products to use on them. 

Many of your regular at-home cleaners will do the job, but a few specialized products will make your life easier and preserve your furniture over time. Outdoor furniture is pricey, so protect that investment by regularly cleaning and you won’t have to replace damaged items.

Metal

For general cleaning of your stainless steel or wrought iron metal pieces, start with dish soap and water. After rinsing the furniture, pat it dry.

Rust is not typically a problem with most metal furniture produced these days — they’re usually made to be rust-resistant. However, if you do come across rust, address it quickly. Steel wool is a common household item that can help you remove it. If you’d rather not hold onto steel wool, you can use a wire brush instead. The brush will also help you get to hard-to-reach places. Another trick is to sprinkle baking soda over the rusted area and rub it with white vinegar.

To fix any spots where you’ve worn the paint away, use a touch-up pen or rust-resistant paint. To make your aluminum furniture look like new, try metal polish.   

Outdoor Fabrics

To deal with dirt buildup, use a vacuum directly on cushions and fabric furniture. You can also beat the cushions against a wall to throw dirt off. Use soap and a damp cloth for regular wipe downs.

Fabric furniture is susceptible to mold growth from rain and dew, and with that comes odor. If any of your fabric covers can be machine washed, regularly throw them in for a cleaning cycle. If they need to be hand-washed, you can use a spot cleaner or a carpet cleaning vacuum for small stains. For a deep clean, use the gentle spray setting on your hose to dampen them. Then, scrub with a soft bristle brush, and let them air dry hanging in an airy space (maybe on your porch) or lying flat on a dry surface. Try not to let them air dry in direct sunlight, as that can cause the colors to fade.

Plastic

Plastic is a little easier to deal with, but can still attract a fair amount of dirt and grime. Grab your soap, some water, and a soft bristle brush to give your chairs and tables a quick clean. 

If there’s a particularly stubborn stain on a plastic piece of furniture, mix water with chlorine bleach (in a ratio of 10 parts water to one part bleach) and rub it with a microfiber cloth.

Wicker

Wicker furniture is classic and looks great in your yard, but it can’t stand up to harsher cleaning chemicals. To avoid dirt buildup, you should clean regularly with soap, water, and a soft brush. You can also vacuum with the brush attachment to pull up dust and pollen. A dust brush on its own is also useful for quickly dealing with leaves, pollen, and dirt. 

Sun damage is one of the biggest problems for wicker furniture. If it’s going to sit in direct sunlight during most of the day, make sure you have covers for your chairs, couches, and tables. These are useful for all your outdoor furniture, no matter the material. 

Wood

Comfortable, long-lasting, and functional, wood furniture is a great addition to your backyard. It doesn’t rust like metal or fall apart like plastic, but it still requires attention to make sure it stays in peak condition. 

For basic cleaning, use your vacuum with the brush attachment, a handheld brush, and soap and water for a quick wipe-down. To remove mildew or mold stains, mix a gallon of hot water with a small scoop of powdered bleach and scrub the mildewed area with your bristle brush. Then rinse the area again with clean water and dry it. 

Feature Image Credit: Katarina Molnarova/ iStock