Cleaning Tips for Your Patio Furniture

It’s time to get your patio furniture ready for summer lounging, barbeques, and get-togethers! When getting your patio furniture ready for a new season, make sure to follow cleaning tips depending on the type of material your patio furniture is made of. Follow these patio furniture cleaning steps by furniture material. Remember to always test a small part of your patio furniture with any cleaning product, method, or solution before cleaning the entire piece.

·      Plastic patio furniture: Clean light-colored plastic patio furniture differently than dark-colored furniture. For dark-colored furniture, use a solution of all-purpose cleaner, warm water, and a touch of laundry detergent. Use a soft brush to coat the furniture with the solution and let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing off the solution. For light-colored plastic patio furniture, use bleach rather than all-purpose cleaner. Bleach can discolor dark-colored furniture, but should not do so on light-colored plastic patio furniture.

·      Untreated wood patio furniture: Combine a cup of ammonia, gallon of water, and less than a cup of vinegar. Scrub down the wood furniture with the solution and then dry completely, using towels to remove all water. Untreated wood patio furniture holds onto excess water, which can lead to drying and warping, so make sure the furniture is completely dry.

·      Aluminum patio furniture: Scrub this furniture with a scrubber and dish detergent. Rinse off all the soap. If the aluminum surface is baked on, coat the surface with car wax to keep the finish strong.

·      Patio cushions: Your cushions will most definitely need to be cleaned. First, make sure your cushions are washable. If they are washable, use a sponge and soapy water, and then rinse and dry.

·      Patio umbrella: Umbrellas often grow mold while down and not in use. Remove mold with a solution of a gallon of warm water, about one cup of bleach, and a tiny bit of liquid dish detergent. Test a spot on the umbrella to make sure the bleach does not discolor the umbrella. If it does not stain, open the umbrella, scrub, and rinse thoroughly. Do not close the umbrella before it’s completely dry in order to prevent further mold growth.

No matter your type of patio furniture, it’s inevitable that it will be affected by the elements, such as rain, wind, dust, and pollen. Thorough, regular cleanings will keep your furniture, cushions, and umbrella well-maintained, beautiful, and dust- and mold-free. One other easy way to keep your furniture clean through out the year is with covers. Patio table covers, umbrella covers, chair covers, etc. all exist to keep dust, dirt, and the elements off of your furniture. With covers, you will not have to clean your furniture as often and your investments will stay looking good for years to come.