Best Way to Clean Patio Furniture
Due to constantly being kept outdoors, patio furniture tends to fade, and get dusty. Given in this Gardenerdy article are some tips that you can use to clean your furniture, making it look as good as new.
Gardenerdy Staff
Given below are a few pointers and techniques that will help you clean your patio furniture.
Cleaning Technique Based on Type of Patio Furniture
Wooden Furniture
Using a dry blush, clean off all the dust from the furniture. If there are any scratches or chipped surfaces, gently rub the uneven edges using sandpaper, to make them even. Take a bucket of lukewarm water and add some mild soap into it. With the help of a sponge, clean the furniture with this mixture. Make sure you squeeze out most of the water from the sponge before you use it on the wood otherwise the polish used may get affected due to the detergent. Wash off the wooden surface with clean water and allow it to dry under the sun. You can also use wood wash. All you need to do is follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Then, rinse it off with water and dry off with a towel. For the purpose of protecting the furniture from outdoor elements, special oils like teak oil are available in the market. You can apply a coat of baby oil or vegetable oil as well.
Wrought Iron Furniture
Wrought iron patio furniture possesses both, strength as well as beauty. Iron patio furniture requires some additional care as it gets corroded due to rust. The first step is sanding the iron surface to get rid of all the rust marks and wiping it clean. Then, apply a coat of primer and paint on it. Most of the manufacturers provide a touch-up paint kit along with the wrought iron patio furniture. These kits are easy to use if you read the directions carefully. When the surface does not have any rust, a simple cleaning is enough. Soak a small piece of cloth in the mixture of water and mild detergent and wipe the furniture with it. Try to keep iron patio furniture under plastic covers so that it is protected from air and moisture.
Plastic Furniture
Plastic furniture can be cleaned quite easily. You can clean it with dishwashing liquid and water. Dip a sponge into the water and rub it over the surface and allow the solution to stay for few minutes. Take out the dirt and debris from the crevices with the help of an old toothbrush. Rinse the furniture thoroughly with water and leave it under the sun for drying.
Aluminum Patio Furniture
Dishwashing liquid is the best cleaner for aluminum patio furniture. Prepare a mixture of this detergent and water. Dip a clean cotton cloth into it and rub it on the surface of the furniture to get rid of the stains and dirt. Rinse off thoroughly with the help of garden hose. Wipe off the water with a soft dry cloth. Take some high grade non-abrasive car wax and apply it over the furniture using a soft cloth. When the wax is dry, buff it off to get a shiny surface. This will protect the aluminum from corrosion.
Never use any abrasive cleaners or brushes for the furniture, as they will scratch the surface. If your furniture has got mold on it, then it is best to clean it with half cup bleach mixed in one gallon of water.
Cleaning Technique Based on Type of Patio Furniture
Wooden Furniture
Using a dry blush, clean off all the dust from the furniture. If there are any scratches or chipped surfaces, gently rub the uneven edges using sandpaper, to make them even. Take a bucket of lukewarm water and add some mild soap into it. With the help of a sponge, clean the furniture with this mixture. Make sure you squeeze out most of the water from the sponge before you use it on the wood otherwise the polish used may get affected due to the detergent. Wash off the wooden surface with clean water and allow it to dry under the sun. You can also use wood wash. All you need to do is follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Then, rinse it off with water and dry off with a towel. For the purpose of protecting the furniture from outdoor elements, special oils like teak oil are available in the market. You can apply a coat of baby oil or vegetable oil as well.
Wrought Iron Furniture
Wrought iron patio furniture possesses both, strength as well as beauty. Iron patio furniture requires some additional care as it gets corroded due to rust. The first step is sanding the iron surface to get rid of all the rust marks and wiping it clean. Then, apply a coat of primer and paint on it. Most of the manufacturers provide a touch-up paint kit along with the wrought iron patio furniture. These kits are easy to use if you read the directions carefully. When the surface does not have any rust, a simple cleaning is enough. Soak a small piece of cloth in the mixture of water and mild detergent and wipe the furniture with it. Try to keep iron patio furniture under plastic covers so that it is protected from air and moisture.
Plastic Furniture
Plastic furniture can be cleaned quite easily. You can clean it with dishwashing liquid and water. Dip a sponge into the water and rub it over the surface and allow the solution to stay for few minutes. Take out the dirt and debris from the crevices with the help of an old toothbrush. Rinse the furniture thoroughly with water and leave it under the sun for drying.
Aluminum Patio Furniture
Dishwashing liquid is the best cleaner for aluminum patio furniture. Prepare a mixture of this detergent and water. Dip a clean cotton cloth into it and rub it on the surface of the furniture to get rid of the stains and dirt. Rinse off thoroughly with the help of garden hose. Wipe off the water with a soft dry cloth. Take some high grade non-abrasive car wax and apply it over the furniture using a soft cloth. When the wax is dry, buff it off to get a shiny surface. This will protect the aluminum from corrosion.
Never use any abrasive cleaners or brushes for the furniture, as they will scratch the surface. If your furniture has got mold on it, then it is best to clean it with half cup bleach mixed in one gallon of water.
