Properly cleaning & caring for patio furniture
High-quality outdoor furniture is built to weather the elements for years. That doesn’t mean that a little TLC can’t help to extend its useful life and keep it looking great longer. Maintaining these pieces doesn’t have to be difficult; it requires understanding how to clean and care for different materials and a commitment to do it regularly throughout the year. This guide provides tips for looking after your patio furnishings beyond just using mild dish soap and water. However, always consult manufacturers’ manuals for the best care of your specific products.
How to clean outdoor furniture
No matter how careful you are, something is bound to spill on your deck furniture. Maybe someone drops guacamole on the cushions of your sectional deck sofa or tips over a glass of wine onto the dining table on your screened-in porch. Suntan lotion will get wiped onto poolside sunloungers at some point. Those are just some of the ways people can muck up your pristine outdoor setting. Mother nature has plenty of tactics too. Wind, rain, sun, trees, bugs, birds, critters and many more things can dirty up and damage your furniture if you don’t take preventative steps and clean it regularly. However, garden furniture cleaning isn’t a “one size fits all” situation. Woods, metals and plastics all need different attention.
We recommend reading through the sections below for insight into cleaning and caring for various outdoor furniture materials.
Guide Sections
Additional ways to maintain and protect deck furniture
If you invested in premium-quality outdoor furniture sets, it makes sense to make them last as long as possible. Keeping everything clean and maintaining them throughout the year are the first steps. The next is to protect your pieces when they’re not in use – during inclement weather or the cold winter months.
Furniture Covers – Waterproof protection for all seasons
After you clean your garden furniture pieces and seal them against damage from everyday use, you might want to consider longer-term protection. Furniture covers are a great way to shield chairs, tables and patio sofas from rain and fading UV rays when they’re not in use. Covers can also help keep away pests and dust if you store outdoor pieces indoors or in sheltered areas during the winter.
Protective covers are typically waterproof and woven from coated vinyl, canvas or polyester. Generic covers protect various types of furniture that fit within their dimensions. You can even shelter small pool furniture sets beneath a large tarp. They provide adequate protection in most instances but may have issues depending on the fit. Custom-tailored covers fit specific pieces of furniture. Manufacturers offer them to coordinate with particular collections. Their snug fit provides maximum protection but these covers cost more than their generic counterparts.
Whether you choose a generic or custom cover, select one that is water-resistant or waterproof. Ensure it securely fastens and provides adequate ventilation. Continuously wet furniture can develop mold and mildew, rust or wood rot. So, it’s important that protective covers can repel rain, sleet and snow. Good patio furniture covers offer some means of securing the weather-resistant fabric to furniture frames. Tie-downs wrap directly around furniture legs, while elastic straps grip the pieces. Look for covers with built-in vents that allow air to pass through, without exposing the furniture to the elements. Trapped condensation can lead to mold build-up, so letting your items breathe is important.
Storage & Shelter – Keeping furniture safe in inclement weather
During the rainy season or when Fall temperatures start to drop is a good time to bring your patio furniture in from the wet and cold outdoor space. A little shelter can go a long way toward extending the lifetime of your outdoor seating and tables. Whether you’re tucking pieces beneath your deck, locking them in a storage shed or moving them to a garage or basement, it’s critical that you first make sure that they are clean and dry – even if you don’t immediately see any dirt or debris.
Some moisture and bacteria you don’t immediately detect can fester while the pieces are in storage. Warm and humid areas can lead to mold, so you want to find someplace that is cool and dry. Otherwise, you may have additional work to do when the pieces are removed from storage. Ideally elevate the furniture off the ground to avoid damage from standing water, ice or snow.
Several protective sealants on the market can keep outside furniture in tip-top shape over the winter. Apply one to your furnishings if you don’t have a cover or your storage area is exposed.
Use a drop cloth or protective cover to keep the furniture dust-free. Even if you keep items in a shed or a garage, it helps to cover them to prevent scratches. Avoid putting cushions in plastic bags. Use cloth ones or ventilated storage boxes.
Helpful Article
Find additional maintenance tips in the finishes and treatments section of our Outdoor Furniture Materials Guide to keep your patio furniture in A-one condition.
Protect your outdoor furniture investment
Following the cleaning and maintenance recommendations in this guide will help increase the lifespan of your patio furniture. Not only will pieces retain their aesthetic appeal but also their structural and functional integrity. This improves the return on your investment and lessens the need to replace pieces frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions – Cleaning Outdoor Furniture
What is the best way to clean outdoor seating cushions?
The cleaning process for patio furniture upholstery depends on whether or not the cushion covers are removable.
Removable Covers
- Remove the foam insert
- Brush loose soil from the fabric
- Spray or soak the cover in a bucket with warm soapy water until it’s thoroughly soaked
- Scrub the complete cover lightly using a soft-bristled brush to remove minor spills or stains
- Repeat the process on the inside to address stronger stains
- Run clean water over the entire thing inside and outside
- Allow the cover to air-dry completely
- Reinsert the foam core
Non-removable Covers
- Using a sponge, apply soapy warm water to the exterior of the cover
- Work the soap bubbles into the fabric by gently rubbing the surface
- Clean the residual detergent off using a high-pressure hose
- Air-dry the cushions by placing them on their edge
How do you restore greyed teak?
If left untreated, teak will change over time from a warm honey-colored woodgrain to an elegant silver-grey patina. This transition is merely aesthetic and does affect the integrity of the hardwood or its ability to resist the elements outdoors. If you want to restore teak to its original coloration, you can but it takes a little effort.
- Clean the wood – Remove surface grime and dirt with soap and warm water
- Scour it – Using a scrub brush or scouring pad with a gentle cleanser, lightly scour the teak across the grain
- Rinse the teak – Use running water to clear the wood of any loose debris and soapy residue
- Remove stubborn stains – If needed, use a commercial teak cleaner with a strong abrasive and mild acid to get rid of deep stains
- Sand the surface – Use medium to fine sandpaper to smooth out any texture imperfections
- Apply teak oil – Spread teak oil with a soft rag in the direction of the woodgrain
- Apply sealant – Apply one thin coat of sealer and allow it to dry before applying a second
I think you are right to use a microfiber cloth on wooden and glass furniture. I need to get a new patio set. I’ll have to consider getting a set that is easy to wipe down for dust control.
One reason for resin wicker’s popularity is its easy upkeep. Just wipe down with a damp cloth, soapy or not—or pull out the hose for a tough job. This type of furniture is often used in sunrooms, as well as on patios and deck areas. Companies sometimes recommend that these outdoor sets remain covered when not in use to protect the plastic resin from UV damage, which will eventually lead to deterioration or breakage.
Great point!
To quote The Graduate, “I’ve got one word for you, Benjamin – plastics.”
In coastal environments (where there is usually a high concentration of abrasive salt in the atmosphere) aluminium furniture should be washed down with fresh water and covered when not in use.
I want to make sure that my grill is okay on my patio during the winter. It makes sense that I might want to keep it covered so that the snow doesn’t damage it. I’ll have to see if I can get a cover for it.
Depending on the grill type, the manufacturer may have covers available. If you have a built-in grill, you might have to custom order one to fit your particular configuration. Otherwise, a permanent awning might be a good option if you cannot roll the grill into a more protected area.