How To Clean Patio Furniture

How to clean patio furniture? Keeping patios, decks, and all of their assorted decorations clean can be a challenge. 

Have you ever experienced the relentless battle of cleaning a glass patio tabletop? It's a constant back-and-forth. You wipe it, it dries, and streaks appear. Dirty streaks. You wipe it again, it dries, and the dirty streaks seem to multiply.

The same challenges arise with other outdoor pieces—you're battling Mother Nature here, after all! Here are the dirty little secrets to mastering the art of clean patio furniture.

How to Clean Patio Furniture Cushions

Most cushions today have synthetic covers and polyester fill and are designed to withstand the elements. Still, they could use some help if you'd like them to last for the long term (or at least a few seasons). 

Here's how to care for and clean patio furniture cushions:

• Hose down cushions occasionally.

• Turn them often for even wear and sun exposure, just like you do your couch cushions. 

• Avoid getting sunscreen on the cushions. Hose off spills or sunscreen smears immediately.

• To deep clean, use a spray enzyme cleaner. Set the cushions on their ends in the sun until they are completely dry.
  

• If you detect mildew, put the cushions on an outdoor surface and saturate them with a solution of 1 cup of bleach, 3 gallons of warm water, and 1/4 cup of laundry detergent. Let the wet cushions sit in the sun for several hours. Rinse. Let them dry in the sun for several days if necessary.

Be sure to clean away any remnants from the outdoor season before storing cushions for the winter. Set stains are nearly impossible to remove. Store clean cushions in plastic bags (I use trash bags) for the winter.

How To Clean Patio Furniture by Surface Type

The problem with "outdoor living rooms" is that they get dirtier much faster than the indoor ones. Fortunately (or maybe wisely), outdoor furniture is constructed to take abuse - and soil. 

Generally speaking, if your outdoor furniture is near a pool or spa, hose it down once a week because chlorine will damage most finishes.

Here's a guide to caring for the most common outdoor furniture materials.

How To Clean Patio Furniture of Aluminum

Clean patio furniture made of aluminum by washing with mild liquid detergent; rinse and dry. Coat with an automotive wax every six months. 

Warning: Sunscreens containing PABA can stain aluminum and many other outdoor furniture. If you wear sunscreen, protect the chair you're sitting in with a towel. 

HowTo Clean Patio Furniture of Resin

Resin patio furniture requires little care. Wash it with a mild soapy solution, hose it off, and towel dry.

Avoid products with ammonia, but use a diluted bleach solution for stains. Polish resin furniture with car wax if desired.

How To Clean Patio Furniture of Teak

Teak is a popular choice for outdoor furniture because it weathers well. Do not use teak oil on outdoor furniture because it will act as a dust magnet. 

Clean the teak with a mild soap solution and a soft brush. Rinse well. Keep teak furniture in the sun because dampness will cause mildew.

Vinyl Furniture

Clean vinyl patio furniture with warm, soapy water. Never use bleach because it can damage the finish, allowing the porous material to stain, fade, and weaken faster. 

Wicker (natural)

Wicker should be cleaned only once a year unless there are spills (ha!). For natural wicker, first tip the chair to one side and vacuum it well.

Then, wash with a solution of mild detergent and water, using a toothbrush to reach those hard-to-reach spots. Rinse with a garden hose.Towel the wicker dry and let it sit for 24 hours before using.

Polish wicker furniture with furniture polish occasionally. Natural wicker will rot in the sun, so place it in a shady spot or beneath your umbrella. Never cover wicker with plastic because it will trap moisture and encourage mildew. 

Wicker (resin or vinyl)

Wash synthetic wicker in soapy water, and then rise and dry it. You can polish it with a spray-on polish.

Wood Furniture

Clean outdoor wooden furniture at least once a year. Wash it with a mild detergent and scrub brush. Store it indoors over winter if possible.

Wrought Iron

Wash wrought iron with soapy water; rinse and towel dry. Wax or polish it twice a year. Touch up any rust spots immediately. During the winter, either bring wrought iron indoors or cover it. 

Patio Floors

Most patio flooring is designed for easy care. Simply sweep and hose it down frequently. Some flooring (such as finished concrete) must be sealed.

Many patios could benefit from pressure washing every couple of years. Decks are best cleaned professionally. Consult an expert if your flooring needs cleaning beyond sweeping and hosing down.

Cotton Hammocks

Cotton hammocks soak up water like a sponge.

Glass Tabletops

These are hard to clean flat. The trick to cleaning a patio table is to turn it on its side (very carefully if you're dealing with glass) and hose it down first. Then, wipe it off with a sponge dipped in soapy water. Hose again. Then wipe dry.

If you can't turn it sideways, move the chairs back and hose from the traditional angle (but it might take a couple of tries!)

Patio Umbrellas

To clean an umbrella, take it apart and put the top part back into the stand so that it's within reach.

Then, crank the umbrella and wash it with a liquid cleaner and a sponge. Use the detergent made for convertible car tops if your umbrella is vinyl. It works wonders on these sun-beaten skin-savers. 

Dry the umbrella open in full sun for a day or two. Never put an umbrella away, even slightly damp. That's a recipe for mildew.