Make Sure Your Outdoor Furniture is Ready for the Spring

Quality patio furniture is designed to stand up to Mother Nature, but even the best outdoor furniture can suffer from exposure to the elements and long months of storage during the off-season.

Here's how to clean patio furniture (and cushions) each spring, plus some tips on how to protect your outdoor furniture when you put it away in the fall.

Getting Started

Use a brush to wipe away dirt, leaves, and other loose debris from your furniture. A garden hose can also be used to wash loose dirt off of wood, metal, plastic, or fabric furniture.

How To Clean Patio Cushions

Use a sponge to apply a mix of 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent, 1 quart of warm water, and 1 tablespoon of Borax. Allow the saturating mix to sit for 15 minutes on the cushions, then spray away with a hose. Dry in the sun, then apply a fabric protector.

How To Clean Metal Patio Furniture

Use steel wool to remove rust, which is the biggest enemy of patio furniture made from iron and steel. Repaint areas where paint has peeled or rusted away. Mild dish soap applied with a sponge or brush can remove most other dirt and stains from metal surfaces. Plain aluminum can be cleaned with a plastic scrub brush or fine steel wool. Wrought-iron furniture can be sandblasted or powder-coated for added protection.

Be cautious about using a power washer on painted metal surfaces — too strong a stream can remove paint as well as dirt. Stripping and repainting is a last resort for metal furniture that's too far gone to be cleaned by hand.

How To Clean Wood Patio Furniture

A power washer can damage wood furniture and is not recommended; instead, use a mild oil soap with a soft brush or sponge to clean wood patio furniture. A toothbrush is a handy tool for removing dirt from the weave of wicker furniture.

A weak solution of laundry detergent can be used to clean teak, but avoid using teak oil, which can attract mildew. Deep-set stains in teak furniture may require sanding to remove.

How To Clean Plastic Patio Furniture

Use an all-purpose cleaner to remove dirt from plastic or resin furniture; avoid abrasive cleaners, which can scuff the surface of plastic furniture. A power washer can be used to blast out stubborn stains.
White resin furniture can be cleaned with three tablespoons of automatic dishwashing detergent added to a gallon of water, but don't use this mix — which contains bleach — on colored resin. Instead, clean it with an all-purpose cleaner and water. Sticky substances, like tree sap, can be removed with rubbing alcohol.

How To Clean Fabric Patio Furniture

Fabric portions of your patio furniture are particularly susceptible to staining. Some fabric sections of patio furniture can be removed and machine-washed (check the manufacturer's instructions for this information) and line dried. Otherwise, use dish soap and warm water. Use a scrub brush to work the mix into the fabric and draw out dirt. Again, a power washer can be useful for removing deep stains. Rinse well and air dry.

After cleaning, use a water-repellent fabric protector to keep the fabric from fading and getting water damage. Mold and mildew — which can grow on furniture's hard surfaces — can often be scrubbed away; dipping a brush in white vinegar can help.

How To Clean Glass Patio Furniture

Glass-topped patio tables usually can be cleaned with a regular glass cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner. Be sure to clean both the top and bottom of the glass. A hose or power washer can help remove debris that has accumulated where the glass meets the table frame.

How To Protect Patio Furniture Over the Winter

First, don't leave your patio furniture outdoors w here it is exposed to rain, snow, and other harsh winter weather conditions. Give all your furniture a thorough cleaning before storing in a garage or shed.

If you don't have a good indoor storage space, protect your furniture with a tight-fitting tarp or custom cover. Wood furniture should be treated with a protective sealant to keep moisture out. Avoid storing plastic furniture in freezing conditions, which can make it brittle and prone to cracking. Remove any rust from metal furniture and paint so it doesn't continue to rust all winter. Store cushions and fabric furniture in a dry space that's free of rodents, which are notorious for making cushions their winter homes.