Cleaning Your Patio Furniture Like This Will Make it Last Longer

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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 wickers, 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.

Save this powerful cleaning tool for your deck. Power washing can do more harm than good 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.

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 to remove rust and finish off with a finer grit to smooth. To remove significant 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.

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. 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.

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, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe the piece down; for plastic, use a sponge.

 

5. DO give your cleaning solution time to work.

Apply the appropriate cleaning product to the furniture and give it about 15 minutes of dwell time. Then rinse thoroughly with a 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.

If cushion covers can’t be zipped off and tossed in the wash, clean patio cushions by hand. 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.

Remove the fabric from the frame of your patio umbrella, 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.

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 to learn how to maintain couches,

 

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