Okay – this one is a little long but you can drop down to the type furniture you have. You can also save this as a reference.
How To Clean Outdoor Furniture
With the warmer weather here, we cannot help but fantasize about summer barbeques, al fresco lunches and lounging on our decks and patios. But before we can enjoy the weather, the dreaded task of outdoor cleaning must be completed! I know that most of us hate cleaning (or have a penchant for not doing it), but ultimately love the feeling of a clean home – whether it’s an indoor or outdoor space. Here is a quick how-to guide that will have your patio furniture looking spiffy in a jiffy.
With a few basic cleaning recipes and tools you likely already have at home, cleaning the furniture can be a breeze (now that patio season is in full swing).
To start, you’ll need double-sided scrub sponges and scrub brushes. The ones I've found work best (read: save time, last longer and work better than others) are Scotch-BriteTM tools; they are stronger and power through the backyard dirt better than other brands.
The recipes we'll use involve vinegar, dish soap and water. These ingredients keep the yard safer for the “users” of your lawn (small insects, birds household pets), and it won’t discolour or rust your furniture like certain chemicals can.
Plastic, Resin Wicker, Steel/Metal and Fabric Outdoor Furniture Cleaning Recipe
· 1/2 cup of dish soap
· 1 cup of vinegar
· 2 gallons of warm water
Recommended Tools
· Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge – (Blue) (Dual sided scrub sponge – sponge/scour)
· Household Scrubber (brush with handle)
· Garden hose
· Bucket
· Spray bottle
Mix these ingredients together in a large bucket and fill a clean spray bottle with the solution. Prior to applying the solution, use the Household Scrubber to loosen dirt or debris by gently brushing off anything easy to remove from the surface (it will mean less scrubbing later on). Remove any cushions, these will be cleaned separately.Spray the solution liberally onto each piece. Let the mixture sit on the furniture for a few moments (5-10 minutes). If the solution has dried, re-spray the area. For lightly soiled pieces, use the Scotch-BriteTM brand cellulose sponge to remove dirt, for heavily soiled pieces use the Non-Scratch Scour Pad, which is specifically designed for removing build-up without scratching the surface (this is key to maintaining the furniture). For woven pieces such as resin wicker, use the Household Scrubber to 'brush out' the dirt. Rinse the sponge often so that dirt is not re-distributed back onto the furniture. Hose the pieces down until all suds are gone to avoid any lingering residue on the furniture. Then, let the sun do the rest and air-dry them beautifully for you.
Outdoor Fabric and Upholstered Pieces
Cleaning rugged cushiofned pieces with permanent covers
First, brush any debris off with the dry Household Scrubber. Spray the solution onto the cushions liberally and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. This will allow the product to saturate the material and break down dirt. Wipe soiled areas well with the Cellulose Sponge to agitate and lift the dirt up. We're using cellulose here so that it can lift the dirt up without ruining the fabric of the cushions (a scouring pad could). Ensure both sides have been cleaned this way. After 15 minutes have passed, hose down both sides of the piece and lay it flat to dry in the sunshine. Flip the cushions over when the top is dry so that the bottom side can dry as well. If the covers cannot be washed down for whatever reason, take a shop-vac out and vacuum up debris to keep it clean. When necessary, stains can be spot cleaned with warm, soapy water and a clean cloth.
Cleaning cushions with removable canvas slipcovers
These can be cleaned twice a season. Remove slipcovers and place in the wash with regular laundry detergent on a regular cycle. When the slipcovers come out of the wash (i.e. do not place in the dryer), place them back onto the cushions to re-shape and stretch the covers out. This is an important step to ensure that the cushion covers maintain their shape.
Cleaning outdoor pillows and cushions
These pillows and cushions can be cleaned annually, usually at the beginning of the season. Most are machine washable (if they fit into the washer). Place them in the wash on a gentle cycle and tumble dry on low. Toss a couple of tennis balls in the dryer to help beat out the excess moisture and promote quick drying.
Cleaning outdoor umbrellas
If you notice mildew on the umbrella, act fast and clean it well to prevent more growth. The simple way to accomplish this is to brush off as much mildew as possible using the Scotch-BriteTM brand Household Scrubber and then spray the umbrella with a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water onto the affected area. Leave it for 30 minutes to soak. Take a clean Household Scrubber and remove the remaining mildew from the umbrella by gently scrubbing. Hose it down when done to remove the solution and mildew. Re-spray the area with the vinegar and water solution to protect against mildew build up and repeat this monthly. In fact, this is a safe solution that can be sprayed on all outdoor furniture to keep mildew away. Otherwise, clean the umbrella at the beginning of the season by brushing off any loose debris, spraying the interior and exterior well with the solution, soaking it for 15 minutes and then hosing it down. Leave open to dry for at least a (sunny) day.
Teak, Wood and Wicker Furniture Cleaning Recipe
· 1 tablespoon of dish soap
· 1 gallons of warm water
Recommended Tools
· Garden hose
· Bucket
For teak and wicker furniture, try a gentler method. Use a dry Household Scrubber brush to quickly dust off any loose debris. Then, dip the clean Household Scrubber brush into the bucket and gently scrub away the dirt and debris, being especially careful not to scrub too hard on the wicker (or else it can lose its shape). If being gentle is of great concern, use the Scotch-BriteTM brand cellulose sponge instead of the Household Scrubber. Hose the surface off when done to remove all bubbles and residue. Only apply oil to teak if the manufacturer's instructions call for it, usually to maintain the amber glow it needs to be re-oiled about twice annually. If not, it becomes weathered and silvery. Again, it is crucial to use strong tools and gentle products for this job. Strong products can ruin the furniture and your lawn and weaker tools will require more effort and will likely become ruined during the process (and say goodbye to your enthusiasm for this project)!
For regular maintenance, nothing more than a quick spray from the garden hose once a week is all that is needed to maintain the furniture throughout the season. Keep your furniture, your lawn and your own little ecosystem clean by employing these simple patio furniture cleaning techniques!
Melissa Maker is Naturally Savvy’s Eco-Friendly Cleaning Expert and the owner and operator of Clean My Space, which focuses on cleaning condo suites for busy urbanites.
Gene Dempsey, City Forester
Environmental Services
Office - (954) 828-7704 Fax - (954) 828-7897
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