Cleaning outdoor furnature

Nobody wants their guests to have to sit in a dirty lawn chair or to eat from a grimy table. When it comes time to show your furniture some TLC, you’re going to have to pull up your sleeves and get cleaning.

Ideally, you should be cleaning your outdoor furniture around 4 times each year, at the start of each season. To cut down on the amount of cleaning you’ll have to do, make the effort to place outdoor furniture under cover and out of the elements during the winter months.

The most effective cleaning techniques for you outdoor furniture depend on the material of the item you are working on. The following will outline cleaning tips for wood, metal, glass, wicker and plastic patio furniture.

Wicker and Wood

• To get rid of grime, make use of an oil-based soap and mix it with warm water. Standard wood cleaners will often be the best solution, but you need to make sure you read the instructions carefully so that you don’t accidentally damage your furniture. Painted and wicker woods may require that you dilute the solution.
• When dealing with harder woods, you may want to sand them once a year while also apply a new coat of oil, polyurethane or stain finish.
• To prevent a build-up of dirt in the crevices, hose down your wicker furniture every couple of weeks.
• The most effective way to protect wood and wicker furniture is to simply wipe it down regularly enough to prevent build ups of dirt and debris.

Metal and Aluminium

• The biggest danger to aluminium furniture is oxidation. Before you start cleaning, remove as many marks and stains as possible with a metal polishing paste. You can also use a 1:1 mix of water and white vinegar.
• Avoid using alkaline cleaners that cause oxidation.
• Preserve the natural lustre of aluminium by washing it regularly.
• Sand away any rust or damaged paint. Before re-painting, use a rust resistant primer.
• Give added protection to wrought iron furniture with sandblasting or powder-coating.
• Use automotive wax to protect metal furniture after cleaning.

Glass

• Remove caked-on debris with a non-abrasive material that’s safe for glass. Do not use hard scrubbing brushes as these will scratch the glass.
• Use home cleaning solutions like dish detergent. After the first clean, spray glass cleaner and go over the surface with a paper towel or microfiber cloth.
• Clean the underside of glass furniture each month to prevent tough grime from forming.
• When you’re not using a glass table, keep in covered up to protect it against the elements.
• Repair small chips and scratches with a glass repair kit.
• Clean the frames of glass furniture as you would that material type.

Plastic

• Use a mild cleanser to clean plastic furniture.
• Avoid using bleach or chlorine on white plastic as they will dissolve the material.
• For tough stains, wet a rag with white distilled vinegar and scrub away.
• Use baking soda with a wet sponge to create a light abrasive that will help peel away tough stains but won’t damage surfaces.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners as they will leave scratches.
• Restore shine with WD-40. Simply spray it on and wipe it clean with a dry rag.
• Protect the furniture all year round with some automotive paste wax.

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