---
title: "Cleaning Your Patio Furniture Like This Will Make it Last Longer"
description: "Unlike your living room set, [patio furniture]() can’t just sit around looking good and feeling comfy. It has to stand up to the elements, from torrential downpours to bird deposits. Though materials can range from [durable exotic hardwoods to delicate…"
date: "2026-04-15"
modified: "2026-04-15"
authors:
  - name: "Katelin Hill"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/katelin-hill/"
  - name: "Daryna Tobey"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/daryna-tobey/"
url: "https://www.bobvila.com/lawn-and-garden/clean-patio-furniture/"
categories:
  - "Cleaning & Organizing"
  - "DIY"
  - "Lawn & Garden"
  - "Outdoor Living"
tags:
  - "cleaning"
  - "News"
---

# Cleaning Your Patio Furniture Like This Will Make it Last Longer

![Woman removes cushion from metal patio chair.](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/put-away-patio-furniture.jpg>)
*Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com*

Unlike your living room set, [patio furniture](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-places-to-buy-patio-furniture/>) can’t just sit around looking good and feeling comfy. It has to stand up to the elements, from torrential downpours to bird deposits. Though materials can range from [durable exotic hardwoods to delicate wickers](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-wood-for-outdoor-furniture/>), all patio furniture requires routine cleaning. Using the wrong products or techniques, however, could damage your outdoor tables, chairs, and lounges. Follow these guidelines to get the job done quickly and correctly.

## 1. DON’T use a pressure washer.

![Man wearing jeans uses pressure washer to clean an Adirondack chair painted in blue and white.](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/pressure-washing-outdoor-chair.jpg>)
*Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com*

Save this powerful cleaning tool for your deck. Power washing can [do more harm than good](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/the-dos-and-donts-of-pressure-washing/>) to patio furniture, since the force of the water can strip the finish (particularly on wood). In most cases, a garden hose and a little elbow grease is all you need.

## 2. DO remove rust from metal furniture before cleaning.

![Old rusted vintage iron outdoor chair in patchy yard grass.](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/rusted-iron-outdoor-chair.jpg>)
*Photo: madvideos.gmail.com via Depositphotos*

For light amounts of rust, use sandpaper or steel wool to gently scrub it off. Start with a coarse-grit sandpaper or [a wire brush](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-refinish-rusty-old-patio-furniture/>) to remove rust and finish off with a finer grit to smooth. To [remove significant rust](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-rust/>), use an electric drill outfitted with a wire brush, or even a grinder if you have one handy.

## 3. DO use cleaning agents meant for your furniture’s material.

![Close up of a person's hand holding a soapy wood scrub brush, cleaning a weathered wooden patio chair outdoors.](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cleaning-wood-patio-furniture-brush.jpeg>)
*Photo: ArtFocus Studio via Adobe Stock*

Wood, wicker, metal, and plastic each demand special cleaning. Natural materials like wood and wicker call for a nourishing, oil-based soap. Colored plastic and metal furniture can be cleaning with a [mild dishwashing soap](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/uses-for-dish-soap/>). Automatic dishwashing detergent is great on white plastic furniture (just make sure to wear gloves, as this cleanser often contains bleach).

## 4. DON’T use abrasive tools on wicker and plastic.

![Person wearing blue nitrle gloves uses a white cloth to clean outdoor wicker chair, with a barbecue grill in the background. ](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/washing-wicker-furniture.jpeg>)
*Photo: otoplotnikov via Adobe Stock ph*

While a soft-bristled brush is safe for scrubbing wood and metal surfaces, plastic and wicker call for something gentler to avoid damaging your furniture’s surface. When [cleaning wicker](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/wicker-care/>), use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe the piece down; for plastic, use a sponge.

## 5. DO give your cleaning solution time to work.

![Woman washing a wood outdoor table with soap and water.](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/soaping-outdoor-table.jpg>)
*Photo: Dominik\_Spalek via Shutterstock*

Apply the appropriate cleaning product to the furniture and give it about 15 minutes of dwell time. Then rinse thoroughly with a [garden hose](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-garden-hose/>) unless it’s wicker, which can warp if saturated with too much water. Wipe wicker furniture down with a damp cloth instead to remove soap.

## 6. DON’T neglect cushions.

![Woman wearing jeans uses hose attachment to vacuum cushion for patio chair, atop a blue tarp outdoors.](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/how-to-clean-patio-furniture-cushions.jpg>)
*Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com*

If cushion covers can’t be zipped off and tossed in the wash, [clean patio cushions by hand](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-patio-cushions/>). First, lift loose dust or debris with your vacuum’s brush attachment. Then swish a tablespoon of dish soap in a bucket of warm water and use a sponge to scrub. Let it dwell for about 15 minutes, rinse with a hose, and blot out as much water as you can with a towel. Dry cushions thoroughly in the sun, propped up so they’re standing on end.

## 7. DON’T forget the umbrella.

![Happy kids helping mother to set the table on the patio under a big umbrella.](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/family-outdoor-patio-umbrella.jpeg>)
*Photo: Olesia Bilkei via Adobe Stock*

Remove the fabric from the frame of your [patio umbrella](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-patio-umbrellas/>), if possible, and if machine washable, follow the care tag instructions to launder. If you can’t take the fabric off, remove surface dirt with a vacuum or soft-bristled brush, then mix a solution of warm water and mild laundry detergent (about 1/4 cup per gallon of water) and give the fabric a good scrub with a brush. Let it soak in for about 20 minutes, then rinse with a garden hose and let dry in the sun.

## 8. DO keep up with routine maintenance to make cleaning easier next time.

![Senior couple puts cover onto outdoor furniture bench set in home backyard.](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cover-outdoor-furniture.jpeg>)
*Photo: Tosh Lubek via Adobe Stock*

Start and end each season by giving your furniture a good deep clean, and be sure to wipe everything down after pool parties and barbecues. You may opt to use a protectant on your furniture depending on the material. Wood, for example, might do well with a coat of outdoor varnish. Metal can be lightly coated with auto wax to keep it in good shape. Cover furniture in the off season, or when bad weather is expected.

*Ready to clean your indoor furniture? Read our guide on [how to clean all your furniture](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-all-furniture-types/>) to learn how to maintain couches,*

## Author
Katelin Hill channels her passion for home and garden into educational and aspirational stories and how-to guides. She spent almost four years working in editorial at [This Old House](<https://www.thisoldhouse.com/>) and has written for [The Family Handyman](<https://www.familyhandyman.com/>), [Endless Vacation](<https://endlessvacation.com/>), [Time Out New York](<https://www.timeout.com/newyork>) and several local news outlets. Katelin recently relocated from Brooklyn to Virginia, mostly because she needed more room for her DIY supplies.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelinhill/>)  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/byKatelinHill>)