Top Patio Furniture Cleaning: Tips to Keep Your Outdoor Space Looking Fresh
We all know how important it is to clean patio furniture — but are you doing it the right way?
Patio furniture is more susceptible to dust, debris, pollen, pet and children's messes, and harsh weather conditions than any other furniture in your home. All these significantly impact the appearance and durability of your patio furniture.
Keeping your patio furniture clean can create a welcoming and refreshing environment for yourself, your family, or your guests.
The correct choice of cleaning products is equally important. The wrong choice could cause irreversible damage to your furniture, expose you to health problems, or fail to yield the expected results.
We will guide you on how to keep your outdoor furniture looking fresh through our cleaning tips.
Read on.
Why Should I Clean My Patio Furniture?
Recently, we shared expert tips for proper outdoor furniture maintenance; cleaning was among the top tips. Cleaning the patio furniture isn't complicated or time-consuming (though it depends on the type of furniture you have and its current condition!), but for most of us, it isn't an exciting or fun task! So, why should you clean your patio furniture to ensure it's ready for use at a moment's notice?
Cleaning your outdoor furniture extends its lifespan by protecting it from the possible damage caused by ultraviolet rays, rust, mold, rot, dust, dirt, and pet or baby mess.
Keeping your outdoor furniture clean not only boosts its appearance but also helps maintain its condition year-round, creating a welcoming space for everyone.
Regular cleaning also gives you the chance to spot any damage or wear early, so you can take care of repairs before they become bigger problems.
6 Top Patio Furniture Cleaning Tips
When and how to clean your patio furniture depends on the frequency of use, the environment, the furniture material, and the climate in your area.
#1: Type of Furniture
Understanding the material of your furniture is essential for choosing the right cleaning products. Once you identify the type of material, you can clean it effectively and safely.
Metal Furniture
Metal patio furniture is durable but is highly susceptible to corrosion or rusting if neglected. Wipe steel, aluminum, or wrought iron patio furniture every two to three weeks and deep clean every three months.
Apply a rust-resistant paint or primer annually to protect it from rusting or corroding.
Wicker Furniture
Dust and vacuum your outdoor wicker furniture frequently. Be careful when cleaning synthetic or natural wicker furniture; it's susceptible to damage if not correctly handled during cleaning.
Deep clean every one to two months and apply a protective coat of paint or lacquer annually to prevent the furniture from drying out and cracking.
Wood Patio Furniture
Wood patio furniture is highly susceptible to damage during rainy and extremely hot days. Rainwater could cause swelling if not wiped out, while extreme exposure to UV rays could cause fading.
Clean wooden patio furniture every three months, but wipe it daily, especially if flowers or vegetation are around.
An annual protective oil or sealant application can protect your wooden furniture from harsh weather damage.
Resin/Plastic Patio Furniture
Plastic/resin outdoor furniture is suitable for people who don't have time to clean every day as it's a low-maintenance option. However, it can become brittle or discolored over time.
Clean your plastic/resin furniture every one to two weeks. Deep clean once monthly or more often, mainly if the furniture is used frequently.
#2:Frequency of Use
Low-traffic patio furniture may require a less frequent cleaning schedule unless there's vegetation, trees, flowers, or a dusty road nearby.
High-traffic patio furniture needs frequent cleaning and dusting, sometimes daily or weekly.
#3:Climate
Clean your patio furniture more frequently during the dry season to prevent dirt, dust, and debris buildup. You should also regularly clean the furniture if the climate is humid to avoid mildew and mold buildup.
Protect your furniture by cleaning it more often if you live in coastal areas to protect it against corrosion and rust.
#4:Environment
A patio surrounded by trees, flowers, a dusty road, or vegetation requires more frequent cleaning. You may have to clean it daily if there are shedding trees around.
#5:Use the Right Cleaning Products
Never use abrasive cleansers, chlorine bleach, or pine oil to clean patio furniture unless the manufacturer recommends it. Use mild, warm, soapy water. If you're using a specific cleanser for the first time, test it on an inconspicuous area.
If you want to scrub the surfaces, avoid stiff brushes and use soft-bristled ones.
Thoroughly rinse the cleanser; a garden hose does a great job. Most people also recommend pressure washers, but they may be too harsh on wicker patio furniture. Only use this method of cleaning if the furniture manufacturer recommends it.
Wipe dry the furniture using microfiber towels, then let it dry completely to prevent mold and mildew growth or rust (if it's metal).
#6:Often Deep Clean the Furniture
Deep clean the patio furniture in the fall before storing it and in the spring before using it.
Deep cleaning takes furniture care a step further by eliminating built-up dirt and grime that regular cleaning misses. It helps extend the life of your patio furniture, saving you money on repairs and replacements year after year.
Hiring a Professional deep cleaning service is highly recommended. Experts will first inspect your furniture to assess its material and condition, then choose the most effective method to thoroughly clean and restore it.
How to Clean Patio Furniture for Winter Storage
Some materials, such as wicker, are susceptible to damage if exposed to too much water. At the same time, metal can rust when not dried properly. Clean your patio furniture and care for it depending on its material.
Below, we shall look at the best way to clean patio furniture before storing it for winter.
Wicker Outdoor Furniture
Never use abrasive or harsh cleaners when dealing with wicker outdoor furniture. Regularly clean the furniture to prevent mildew buildup.
Here are simple steps to follow when cleaning outdoor patio furniture.
Use a clean, dry paintbrush to remove debris and dirt, or vacuum using a dust-brush attachment.
Use water and a mild soap to clean the furniture and scrub using a soft-bristled brush.
Rinse using water, but be cautious; excessive water weakens the furniture, shortening its lifespan.
Dry the furniture using a microfiber cloth; it leaves no lint behind.
Allow the furniture to air dry before storing or covering it to prevent mildew growth.
TIP: If you don't plan to use your patio wicker furniture for over two weeks, store it in the garage or use a weatherproof cover to protect it.
If you notice any paint peeling before storing it away, sand it with a fine grit sandpaper and, if necessary, touch it up with paint.
Metal Outdoor Furniture
Steel or iron furniture rusts due to high humidity or moisture exposure. To prevent rusting on metallic furniture (apart from aluminum, which doesn't rust but corrodes), manufacturers finish the furniture with layers of durable powder coating, clear varnish, or paint.
That's not to mean you should not clean steel or iron furniture. Clean it and dry it thoroughly to stop rust buildup in the long run.
Procedure
Use a dry paintbrush or vacuum with a dust-brush attachment to remove debris and dirt.
Add several drops of mild soap to a basin of water
Dampen a microfiber cloth with the solution and wipe clean the furniture
If there's dirt buildup, scrub with a soft-bristled brush
Rinse with clean water and pat dry with another microfiber cloth
Rust removal
Use white vinegar to remove rust, especially in the unfinished hidden areas.
Spray enough white vinegar on the rusted area and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the area and rinse with water
Pat dry with a clean microfiber cloth and allow the furniture to air dry
Apply a coat of paste or quality liquid wax for long-term water repellency. Use a lint-free cloth to apply.
Wooden Outdoor Furniture
You don't need soapy water to clean your wooden furniture daily unless there are food and beverage stains. Simply vacuuming and then wiping with a damp cloth is enough. Use soapy water when deep cleaning the furniture.
Procedure to clean wooden patio furniture
Remove debris and dirt using a vacuum featuring a dust-brush attachment or use a dry paintbrush.
Add several drops of mild soap into a basin of water.
Apply the solution on the furniture, use a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt and dust, and then rinse with clean water. If you notice any mildew stains, mix powdered oxygen bleach with 1 gallon of warm water and scrub again. Avoid using chlorine bleach. If it's a rust stain on metallic parts, lightly sand along the grain using fine-grit sandpaper. Mix wood bleach with hot water for large surfaces that would be exhausting to sand, and then scrub the area using a stiff-bristled brush.
Rinse the area with clean water and then pat dry using a microfiber cloth to prevent mildew growth.
Allow the surface to air dry thoroughly.
Apply a clear water-repellent preservative containing a penetrating semi-transparent stain to protect the furniture against future water damage.
Seal the wood to protect it from moisture, UV rays, and dirt damage; sealing also helps maintain its aesthetic.
Plastic Patio Furniture
Generally, all-weather (plastic) or resin furniture is made from polyethylene (PE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This plastic or resin furniture has fungicides to protect it against pests and insects and ultraviolet stabilizers to resist discoloration.
Cleaning procedure
Use a dry paintbrush or vacuum with a dust-brush attachment to remove debris and dirt.
Mix water and a mild soap solution and clean the furniture.
Apply the solution and use a soft-bristled brush to remove built-up dirt.
Mix 1 part chlorine bleach with 10 parts water for stains and use a lint-free cloth to apply bleach to the stain. Scrub with a cloth until the stain is gone.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water and pat dry with a microfiber (lint-free) cloth.
Fabric Patio Furniture
If the furniture fabric is removable, you can machine wash it. Use the recommended setting to avoid damaging the fabric.
Alternatively, mix 1 gallon of warm water with ¼ cup of mild liquid soap and submerge the fabric.
Gently wash the furniture covers, then rinse them in clean water.
Hang the fabric to air dry.
Outdoor Upholstery Cushions
Lay down a plastic sheet to collect dirt and debris and protect the ground from getting wet while you clean the upholstery cushions.
Remove the debris, dirt, and leaves from the upholstery cushions using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.
If there are stains, spot-clean them. Mix warm water with dish soap and test the solution on a hidden area to be sure there won't be a discoloration effect. If the solution works well, use a sponge or a soft-bristled brush to scrub the stained area in a circular motion. You may use oxygen bleach and natural detergent for stubborn stains, and then check out some of the surprising causes of upholstery stains to avoid them in the future.
Upon fixing the stain, thoroughly rinse the cushions to remove dirt and detergent residue.
Let the cushions air dry in an area free of dust and dirt.
To restore the shape of your cushions, gently punch or pat them once they dry completely.
Tip: Wipe spills immediately with a damp cloth and mild soap detergent. Regularly brush off debris and dirt from your cushions. You can apply Sunbrella fabric protector annually; it helps prevent mold growth.
Always check the cleaning instructions on the upholstery to know the restrictions or recommendations before using any cleaning product.
Professional Top Patio Cleaning Services in the U.S
Zerorez® offers commercial and residential patio furniture cleaning services.
Why should you hire Zerorez?
Expertise: With over 20 years in the cleaning industry and ongoing professional training, you're in great hands with the Experts in the Science of Clean™!
Convenience: At Zerorez, we work with your schedule to eliminate the stress associated with the desire to clean your patio. Schedule a patio furniture cleaning service at a time that suits you most.
Accessibility: Zerorez has over 100 franchise locations, making accessing our services anywhere easy.
Are you ready for professional patio furniture cleaning services? Call us at 866-937-6739 and get a free quote today!
