Are you wondering how to clean outdoor furniture? Spring is the perfect time to tackle this task because no matter how stylish the design, no one wants to use an outdoor sofa or table that's covered in cobwebs, leaves, and general grime.
Plus, grubby furniture can spoil the look of your outdoor living space. So, if your patio furniture is looking a little worse for wear after a windy and harsh winter, it's time to give it a spring spruce-up.
Here, cleaning experts share their best tips to help you tick this backyard cleaning task off your to-do list.
How to clean outdoor furniture like a pro
This essential outdoor cleaning task does more than keep your patio area looking its best, it ensures your furniture lasts longer, too. Most outdoor furniture, including plastic, poly-rattan, and metal, can be cleaned in more or less the same way, so, before getting started, you'll need to gather the following supplies:
- Warm water
- Gentle dish soap, such as Dawn, from Walmart
- A soft bristled scrubbing brush, available at Walmart
- Microfiber cloths, also available in bundles from Walmart
1. Brush off loose debris
Before you can start working on your best outdoor furniture, Polya Petrova, a cleaning expert at Fantastic Services suggests, 'Start by clearing the area around the furniture to provide enough space for comfortable work. If there are any cushions or accessories on the furniture, remove them as well.
'Then, use a soft-bristle brush or a dry cloth to gently remove any loose dirt, dust, or other particles from the surface of the furniture. Pay special attention to corners, crevices, and intricate designs.'
A soft-bristled brush helps easily remove flaky dirt and dust from the surface, so the soap and water can do a better job of removing caked-on grime.
These fine detail brushes help you reach into the small nooks and crannies in your furniture, so no moss or dust is left behind to damage the material.
Microfiber cloths offer a gentler tough for more delicate furniture surfaces, such as wood, to prevent scratching and dull surfaces. Plus, you can wash and reuse them 100s of times.
2. Wash gently with soap
One of the worst outdoor furniture mistakes people make is using harsh chemicals, or stripping the protective coatings from the material. You do not need harsh chemicals to clean well, soap and water will be more than enough.
Polya continues, 'To make a mild soap solution, mix a small amount of non-abrasive dish soap or wood cleaner with warm water in a bucket. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners because they can damage the wood surfaces.
'Dip a soft sponge or cloth into the soap solution, squeeze out the excess water, and gently scrub the wooden surface in circular motions. Focus on areas with visible stains or grime.'
Carmelo Carrasco, Interior Designer and Realtor from Axel Property Management, alternatively suggests using a soft-bristled brush or sponge to scrub your furniture and remove tough build-up. However, they caution, 'Scrubbing too hard or using an abrasive scrubber can scratch or damage the surface.
With a fresh lemon scent and a concentrated soap formula, Dawn Powerwash breaks down grease to limit how much you need to scrub.
The one caveat to this rule is the best wooden outdoor furniture, as it can be susceptible to water staining.
Rather than fight to restore faded outdoor wood furniture, Mallory Micetich, a home expert from Angi says, 'Never use boiling water to clean your wooden furniture – it can permanently discolor the wood. If you need to scrub your wooden furniture to remove dirt, be as gentle as possible and scrub with the grain pattern to preserve the appearance.'
There are specialist cleaning products available for certain types of wood, such as teak, which will restore the color, too. Star Brite's Teak Care Kit, available on Amazon, for example, includes a cleaner, brightener, and protective oil, and is well-rated by customers.
3. Remove rust from metal
Removing rust from metal garden furniture is a must to both improve the look and protect it from lasting damage. This is also important for any smaller metal components such as hinges or braces on wooden or wicker furniture, too.
Mallory Micetich adds, 'You can remove rust using sandpaper, a wire brush or steel wool. I recommend starting with something coarse like steel wool and finishing off with sandpaper.' Scrub the area to loosen the flaking segments.
Once you’ve removed the rust and cleaned the furniture, Mallory recommends applying some WD-40, available from Walmart, to prevent future rusting.
Steel wool can be used both inside and out to help remove rust and polish metal surfaces. It is abrasive however, so test on an inconspicuous area first if you're not sure of the furniture's material.
Perfect for flaking off rust and debris, these rough brushes should only be used on rusty spots on metal furniture to prevent scratching the finish.
This sanding set is perfect for finishing off rust spots, helping flake off the final specks before smoothing over the surface ready to be sprayed with WD-40.
4. Rinse with plain water
Polya says, 'After cleaning, rinse the furniture thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining soap residue. You can either use a garden hose, from Target, or a bucket, from Walmart, for this step, but make sure that all soap is completely washed away.'
5. Dry thoroughly
Once you have finished rinsing, buff the furniture dry with a dry cloth or towel. A lint-free towel, available at Walmart, prevents fibers from catching on your furniture surface. For metal outdoor furniture, you can also place it in the sun on a warm day to speed the process up.
In the case of wooden furniture, Polya adds, 'Allow the furniture to air dry in a shaded area and avoid placing it under direct sunlight because it can lead to warping or cracking.'
Meet the experts
FAQs
How do you remove mold and mildew from outdoor furniture?
To remove mold and mildew from outdoor furniture, brush the area with a soft-bristled scrubbing brush to remove loose debris when spray the area with distilled white vinegar. Let it sit on the stain in the sun for half an hour before wiping the area with a cloth dampened with warm water and dish soap before letting it dry completely.
White vinegar helps to kill mold spores while lightening the dark stains.
Sprucing up outdoor furniture is one of the many things people with clean patios always do to maintain their spaces and ensure longevity. Next, clean outdoor cushions to remove mold and freshen up the scent ready for days spent out in the sun.
