How to Clean Your Patio Furniture

The time to de-winterize is finally here and we’re excited to give you some tips on how to clean your patio furniture after its long winter’s slumber. Sometimes simple soap and water or a quick spray down from the old garden hose will do the trick, sometimes you’ll need to bring in a solvent with a little more muscle, but no matter the finish of furniture, we’ve got you covered. follow these tips to get your set sparkling like new and ready for the season!

Table Tops

Elements table tops are laminate and known for their durability and easiness to clean. To get your table in tip-top summer shape you’ll want to start by giving it a once-over with a damp cloth, followed by a good washing with your choice of dish soap. Once you’ve rinsed, leave it to air-dry in the sun and call the family down for the first al fresco dinner of the year! If you find yourself needing some additional backup, the Treasure Garden Multi-Surface Cleaner we carry is a great weapon in your war against gunk.
Pro-tip: If you’re dealing with any potentially stubborn stains, consider calling in the reinforcements by mixing ¼ cup of baking soda in a gallon of warm water for an initial pass.

Mesh Fabrics and Solution Dyed Acrylics

The fabric on your outdoor set can take a beating, and not just from sitting in storage. Getting the grime out of your fabric and returning it to like-new is job one when it comes to rejuvenating your furniture. We suggest mixing up ¼ cup of Dawn dish soap and a gallon of warm water in a standard plastic bucket to use for a spot-wash, then let the area air dry. Anything tenacious can be addressed with a soft- bristled brush and a gentle scrubbing. If you’re dealing with an oil-based spill, you’ll need to take a different approach. Try adding an absorbent like cornstarch on the fresh stain, then remove and treat with the soap and water solution.
Pro tip: Use a fabric protector after your furniture is clean and dry to repel dirt, water, and moisture to keep your patio set looking like it’s fresh off the showroom floor.

Vinyl Straps

An instant upgrade starts with the jet setting on your garden hose to blast off the loose and easy to clean debris. After the initial hose-down, mix yourself a bottle of warm water and Ivory liquid (a 5 to 1 water to soap mix should do the trick), spray, and wipe the entire piece with a soft brush or a microfiber cloth. If you need some backup, we suggest trying a vinyl cleaning product like this or something similar. Just spray, rinse thoroughly with your hose, leave to air-dry and presto, just like new!
Pro tip: If choose to remove your vinyl straps for cleaning, leave them to soak in a bucket of hot water before reattaching them to the frame. The hot water will make the vinyl more pliable, aiding in an easier reattachment to the frame, and the fit will snug up as the material cools and constricts.

Aluminum with Powdercoat Finish

When it comes to durable finishes, power coating sits at the top of the list, and regular cleaning will prolong the life of your finish for many sunny seasons.  We recommend spraying off your fresh-from-storage patio set first, then using natural soap and water for regular cleanings.  You’ll want to stay away from chemicals like lacquer thinners and acetone (to name a couple) for this type of finish, as those types cleaners will damage your furniture. You can, however, use a non-abrasive product such as Soft Scrub to deal with scratches and scuffs.
Pro tip: Treating your powder-coated furniture with lemon oil for protection against the elements will keep it looking like new!

Rustic Polymer and Marine Grade Polymer

These construction materials are known for their durability and ease of maintenance. Simple dish soap and water will handle most dirt and grit, but should your furniture have taken on some more formidable funk in the offseason, fear not. These tough finishes can handle more abrasive cleaners for difficult dirt. Alcohol, mineral spirits or citrus-based solutions can be used without worry, and for the really big jobs you can bring in the bleach and let it soak in before spraying off with a generous amount of water. Be careful when choosing your brush or cloth as anything too abrasive, or if used with too generous a helping of elbow grease, can damage the finish of your furniture.

Taking care of your outdoor furniture will help you get the most out of your investment by keeping it looking new and prolonging its life. So, whether you’re de-winterizing your outdoor furniture set or just doing some routine tidying up, follow these tips and keep your patio looking good for years to come!