No one wants to sit on a grimy patio chair or eat at a dirty table. To keep your patio furniture in pristine condition, routine cleanings are key. For best results, you should clean outdoor furniture four times a year: once at the beginning of summer, once at the end of summer, and a couple of times in between.

Aluminum & Iron

Always remove cushions before getting to the frame of your aluminum furniture as to have a fully exposed canvas before washing. When cleaning the frame, we suggest using a cleaner designed for washing surfaces like cars and boats, like Meguiar’s Gel Wash. The premium wash is loaded with rich ingredients that protect the finish and give it that newly minted shine without striping off the wax protectant that was originally applied to the aluminum.

Consider having your wrought-iron furniture sandblasted or powder-coated for added protection. To protect after cleanings, apply a coat (two for iron) of automotive wax.

Outdoor Sofa Cushions

Do your sofa cushions come with a removable cover? This means you can simply throw them in the washing machine when they get dirty. Meanwhile, Ikea (whose outdoor sofa cushions do not have removable covers) advises hand washing. The brand recommends cleaning cushions sans removable covers with a sponge or cloth that has been dipped into soapy water. Simply wipe down the surface covers with the soap and water, and then wipe dry with a clean cloth. If your outdoor sofa has already been infected with algae or mold, it should suffice to wash it with water and vinegar, and wash off the vinegar afterwards.

Plastic and Hard-Resin

Use these tips to remove stains and built-up grime on plastic patio chairs and tables. Make your own mild cleanser by mixing 1/2 cup baking soda mixed with 1-gallon warm water, or 3 tablespoons dishwasher detergent (which contains a mild bleaching agent) and 1 gallon of warm water. For colored plastic, mix 1/4-cup vinegar with 1 quart of warm water. It's best to avoid using chlorine and bleach on white plastic furniture because they eat away at the material.

For stubborn stains, dampen a clean rag with white distilled vinegar and wipe down the piece. You can also sprinkle baking soda on a wet sponge to create a mild abrasive that will peel away stains but won't scratch surfaces. Avoid abrasive cleaners, which will scratch plastic outdoor furniture. After washing your plastic furniture, protect it with a coat of automotive paste wax.

 

No one wants to sit on a grimy patio chair or eat at a dirty table. To keep your patio furniture in pristine condition, routine cleanings are key. For best results, you should clean outdoor furniture four times a year: once at the beginning of summer, once at the end of summer, and a couple of times in between.

Aluminum & Iron

Always remove cushions before getting to the frame of your aluminum furniture as to have a fully exposed canvas before washing. When cleaning the frame, we suggest using a cleaner designed for washing surfaces like cars and boats, like Meguiar’s Gel Wash. The premium wash is loaded with rich ingredients that protect the finish and give it that newly minted shine without striping off the wax protectant that was originally applied to the aluminum.

Consider having your wrought-iron furniture sandblasted or powder-coated for added protection. To protect after cleanings, apply a coat (two for iron) of automotive wax.

Outdoor Sofa Cushions

Do your sofa cushions come with a removable cover? This means you can simply throw them in the washing machine when they get dirty. Meanwhile, Ikea (whose outdoor sofa cushions do not have removable covers) advises hand washing. The brand recommends cleaning cushions sans removable covers with a sponge or cloth that has been dipped into soapy water. Simply wipe down the surface covers with the soap and water, and then wipe dry with a clean cloth. If your outdoor sofa has already been infected with algae or mold, it should suffice to wash it with water and vinegar, and wash off the vinegar afterwards.

Plastic and Hard-Resin

Use these tips to remove stains and built-up grime on plastic patio chairs and tables. Make your own mild cleanser by mixing 1/2 cup baking soda mixed with 1-gallon warm water, or 3 tablespoons dishwasher detergent (which contains a mild bleaching agent) and 1 gallon of warm water. For colored plastic, mix 1/4-cup vinegar with 1 quart of warm water. It's best to avoid using chlorine and bleach on white plastic furniture because they eat away at the material.

For stubborn stains, dampen a clean rag with white distilled vinegar and wipe down the piece. You can also sprinkle baking soda on a wet sponge to create a mild abrasive that will peel away stains but won't scratch surfaces. Avoid abrasive cleaners, which will scratch plastic outdoor furniture. After washing your plastic furniture, protect it with a coat of automotive paste wax.

 

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