How to Clean & Take Care of Outdoor Furniture
Jan 24, 2024
How to Clean & Take Care of Outdoor Furniture
Having an Outdoor Space is a blessing. It helps live around the serene nature and create a bond with the environment. Knowing the power of an outdoor space is an important fact. It provides a calm environment for relaxation to reduce stress. It encourages physical activity and promotes a healthier lifestyle. A patio serves as a perfect setting for social gatherings and connection with friends.
Enjoying the benefits of outdoor living depends on the quality of your outdoor furniture. The furniture provides ultimate comfort and relaxation, with Aesthetic appeal to your guests, along with its durability and versatility. Taking care of the furniture is like taking care of your baby.
For the durability and longevity of outdoor furniture, it requires care & maintenance. To keep your outdoor furniture intact and shiny over the year, you must inspect it regularly, clean it, and protect it from harsh weather. It may require minor repairs. Let’s explore the effective Tips and Techniques on How to Clean Outdoor Furniture.
Materials and Tools You’ll Need
Before starting the cleaning process of your patio furniture. Gathering the required materials and tools is important. Because you need those materials which suit the furniture best. Or else it may harm and damage in your beloved outdoor furniture. Here are the supplies you’ll need:
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Dry cloth or Sponge
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A Bristle Brush
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Mild Soap or Detergent
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Warm Water in a bucket
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Water hose or pressure water
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Wood cleaner
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Teak Sealer or Shiner (for teak furniture)
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Rust remover (for metal furniture)
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Fabric cleaner (for Cushions)
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Vinegar (for aluminum furniture)
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Protective gear (gloves and goggles)
Cleaning Wood Furniture
Outdoor furniture made of wood offers a range of options, like its timeless design, and eco-friendly materials. Teak wood is the best outdoor furniture. Featured with durability and natural beauty. So, you have to make some effort to take care and clean the outdoor furniture.
How to Clean wood furniture?
Few steps to clean the wood furniture:
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Remove dust and dirt with a bristle brush or dry cloth.
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Mix up the detergent and warm water in a bucket.
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Take a sponge and dip it into the bucket, then scrub the furniture.
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Rinse the dirt on the furniture with a water hose or clean water.
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Air-dry the outdoor furniture.
Maintenance
Teak wood furniture or other furniture made especially for outdoor purposes. They are able to prevent Water and UV rays. They have the ability to stay strong in harsh weather environments. To maintain the furniture for a long time, clean it regularly. Touch up using chipped paint with matching products. Apply a fresh coat for added protection. You can use a sealer or protector to save it from insects.
Cleaning Wicker Furniture
Wicker furniture is considered the best outdoor furniture of all time. It’s known for its durability and sturdy construction. It is a waterproof and UV-resistant material. Wicker furniture increases the look of a patio. Buying wicker furniture is a lifetime investment. So, it requires few care & maintenance to give you the ultimate comfort.
How to clean Wicker furniture?
Wicker Furniture is made for outdoor. But following some cleaning steps will provide you with better performance:
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Use a soft brush to clean loose dirt and debris.
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Take a soft cloth and use warm water to clean the frame.
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Remove stains with soap water or detergent.
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Air-dry the furniture then store it.
Maintenance
Direct sunlight on the furniture can sometimes fade the color. To prevent this problem, Cover up your wicker furniture when not in use. Also, you can use fresh-grit sandpaper to remove peeling paint.
Cleaning Metal Furniture
Outdoor metal furniture, such as aluminum, and stainless steel offers durability and versatility in any of outdoor space. Minimal maintenance boosts up the furniture to withstand harsh environments over time. Choose the best metal design to complement your Outdoor décor.
How to clean Metal Furniture?
Metal is a durable furniture material. But it can rust over time if proper care is not taken. Follow these steps:
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Remove the rust with a wire brush or sandpaper.
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Clean the furniture surface with mild detergent and water.
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Rinse and dry the furniture completely.
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Apply a rust-resistant paint or sealant.
Maintenance
To keep the furniture intact and shiny over time, Follow the cleaning processes. Avoid hard objects near the furniture and store the furniture when not in use. During harsh weather conditions, cover up the overall furniture.
Cleaning Plastic Furniture
All-weather furniture is made of plastic sometimes. It is generally made of polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene. Designed in a way to match up a type of patio.
Cleaning
Plastic Outdoor furniture is low-maintenance. Here’s some steps to clean the Plastic furniture:
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Wipe down the furniture with a damp cloth or soft sponge.
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Use a mixture of mild soap and water to remove stains.
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Let it air-dry for a short period of time.
Removing Stains
Stains are not that serious issue for plastic. But it’s better to keep the plastic material safe.
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Mix up 1% of chlorine bleach and 10% of water solution.
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Apply the mixed solution with a dry cloth to remove the stains.
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Rinse it with clean water.
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Air-dry the furniture and keep it in a safe place.
Maintenance
Maintain the plastic furniture regularly. Follow the above cleaning steps and make the furniture live along with you. As it can be placed outside for a long time, to make it more durable follow the cleaning rules and product care guide.
Cleaning Cushions & Fabric
Cushions are meant to provide the ultimate comfort. When you sit in a cushion of your outdoor furniture. It takes away all the worries and stress you had for the day. So, to get the feature we need from the cushion, we have to take care of it and maintain its longevity.
How to wash Outdoor Cushions
Cleaning the cushion could be a hard task to think of. But these few steps can make it easy for you to clean the cushions of outdoor furniture:
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Remove the cushion covers. Sunbrella Cushions are machine washable.
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Clean stains of food or drinks with a fabric cleaner.
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Air-dry the cushion after washing.
How to remove stains from cushions?
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Identify the type of stain (e.g., wine, coffee, oil) to choose the appropriate solution to remove the stains.
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Apply a mix of mild soap or detergent and water to the stained area.
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Take a sponge to gently scrub the area in a circular motion.
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Rinse the cushion with clean water to remove the cleaning solution.
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Let the cushion air dry in the sun or a ventilated area.
Maintenance of the Cushions
Regularly inspect the cushions of your outdoor furniture. Invest in waterproof cushion covers. Avoid direct sunlight from the cushion, it can fade the color of the cushion. Rotate the cushion to ensure its shape and comfort. Store the cushions in a dry place when not in use.
How to Store the Outdoor Furniture
During the off-season, storing outdoor furniture is an essential task to do. Because it helps extend the lifespan of the furniture. Follow these steps to make the furniture stay in top condition before storing:
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Clean all of the pieces individually to remove dust, dirt, and any stains.
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Disassemble the larger pieces like tables, sofas, and chairs. It will save space and prevent damage.
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Invest in a high-quality outdoor furniture cover. It will protect the furniture from moisture, dust, and pests.
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Avoid stackable storage. Because stacking the materials together may damage or scratch the furniture.
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Store the cushions separately after cleaning. Use covers to store them.
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Make sure to check loose screws or detachable parts.
Inspect the furniture before and after storage. Address any issues or signs of damage to prevent deterioration. Because proper storage will increase the life of your outdoor furniture.
Conclusion
Take time and take care of your outdoor furniture. Your furniture is your best companion for a lifetime. Regularly cleaning and maintaining the Outdoor Furniture is an important task. Follow up on the steps provided above. Enjoy your outdoor living to the fullest.