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Cleaning - Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture needs to be regularly cleaned and maintained to ensure that it is safe to use and looks its best. Here are our tips on cleaning outdoor furniture.

As a general note, most outdoor furniture should be stored indoors or undercover during winter in order to prevent unnecessary damage from the weather.  Also, most outdoor furniture can be cleaned simply by using a mixture of mild detergent (such as dishwashing liquid) and water.  Once clean, the outdoor furniture needs to be thoroughly rinsed of any remaining residue and allowed to dry completely.

Cleaning Plastic Outdoor Furniture

Most types of plastic outdoor furniture can be cleaned by using a mixture of dishwashing liquid and water that is then rinsed off.  It is important that you never use strong alkali solutions on plastics, and never use scourers or abrasive cleaners as plastic is easily scratched.

For other types of plastic outdoor furniture, waxes or special protective finishes are available and these will give you extra protection.  While plastic is durable, a build up of soil, oil and other contaminants can lead to fungal growth, so it is important to clean regularly.

Cleaning Wooden Outdoor Furniture

In winter, wooden outdoor furniture should be covered and stored in a protected area.  To clean, simply use a solution of dishwashing liquid and water, that is well rinsed off.  Always ensure that wooden furniture is completely dry.  If there are any grease or soot stains on the furniture, remove these by using one cup of trisodium phosphate in a bucket of water.  Rinse off. 

If there are any cracks in the finish of your wooden outdoor furniture, it is important that these are taken care of, to prevent moisture or mildew from getting into the wood.  A good stain to use is one that is designed for exterior use and that contains wood preservatives and a mildew inhibitor.

Cleaning other Types of Outdoor Furniture

There are other types of outdoor furniture that will require cleaning.  Tips to do so include:

• Wicker – simply wash with a soft scrub brush and an oil soap.  Hose the furniture down to rinse it.  Use vinyl covers on the furniture when it rains to prevent unnecessary wear.
  
• Wrought Iron – wipe iron outdoor furniture with a cloth that has been dampened with a mixture of dishwashing liquid and water.  Rinse well and allow to dry. To remove any rust, lightly sand the affected area and thoroughly wipe clean with a cloth before applying touch up paint.
  
• Canvas – do not fold canvas furniture when wet as this will cause it to go mouldy.  It can be cleaned with a simple soap and water solution.
  
• Aluminium – use a clean cloth that has been dampened with a mixture of dishwashing liquid and water to wipe this type of furniture clean.  To remove scuff marks, simply use a soft cloth that has been dampened, and a gentle scrubbing solution.  Do not use abrasive cleaners.  Rinse well.  To protect the finish, apply baby oil every two to three months and let air dry.

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