How to Clean Your Patio Furniture

Your outdoor furniture assembly is a big part of your home. It's where you go to relax and unwind in the lap of the outdoors, host barbecues and casual events during the summer months, and make memories with your kids and pets. But as it is with furniture like lazy boy outdoor furniture, it gets dirty over time. And it’s easy to forget about cleaning it, especially when it's not in use. Out of sight, out of mind, right? 

Why Clean Your Patio Furniture?

It's a good question we hear often. Why should you bother cleaning any of your outdoor furniture? After all, it's going to get dirty again when you use it, won't it?

Well, yes, that is true. But here are some reasons‌ you regularly need to clean your patio furniture: 

You don’t want to give off the wrong impression

If you have a lovely garden that overlooks the compound, there are chances that you will regularly invite friends and family over for barbecues or other such occasions. And neighbours and passersby will get to have a glimpse of your outdoor furniture. But, if your furniture is unclean, it may cause you embarrassment. The last thing you want is to appear unhygienic or filthy and give the wrong impression. People can be judgemental, after all. Cleaning your front gate outdoor furniture will also represent the cleanliness of the interiors too.

It’s not just about looks–it can be unsafe too

If rustic outdoor furniture gets dirty, it can also get unhealthy. Dirt and grime will collect on the surface of your chairs and tables in the sun, triggering probable mildew or mould growth in places where they are not known to grow. You will not want yourself or your kids to be eating off a table that is not clean enough, thereby risking getting an illness from bacteria buildup.

You don’t want to damage your furniture

If you are not cleaning your patio furniture regularly, you risk damaging the fabric and other materials used in your patio furniture. This gap in cleaning can make it more difficult for you to address the dirt buildup later down the line. It will also turn out to be significantly more costly if the damage done is irreparable. 

You would not want to attract unruly creatures into your home

Last, if you do not regularly clean your patio furniture, pests or other animals may get to invade it deep down inside and nest there, with dirt and grime attracting them. The infestation, in turn, will mean that there are chances these bugs will get carried back into the house by you, giving rise to a whole other set of problems. 

These reasons, we are sure, would be enough to get you started on the entire cleaning process. So, are you ready? 

DIY Steps to clean your patio furniture 

Cleaning your patio furniture can be as simple as sweeping off leaves and dusting with a broom, or shaking off excess dirt and water with a towel. But if you want to keep your outdoor space looking its best, we recommend deep cleaning once every few months. 

Worry not! Deep cleaning does not necessarily mean calling in the professionals and spending money. There are some easy steps to carry out an effective cleaning by yourself. Here are the steps to carry out deep cleaning for your outdoor furniture: 

Cleaning wooden furniture

If your rustic outdoor furniture is wooden, you will have to be extra careful while cleaning so as not to damage it or ruin its shine. Avoid using a power washer or garden hose as cracks developed during cleaning can lead to moisture build-up, with moisture eroding away the make of your furniture.

You can gently use a soft-bristled brush with mild soap and water to scrub it clean. With mould and mildew, add a small amount of bleach to your cleaning solution; this will help break down the mould and make it much easier to remove. (make sure you wear gloves for the same). 

Cleaning metal furniture

If your furniture is made from metal or wicker, you want to ensure it catches no rust. It also needs to retain its shine. First, use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to rinse off any dirt or debris. Then, take a damp sponge with mild, non-detergent soap to clean further. Pat dry to avoid any moisture from being behind. Metal can be highly corrosive, and you would not want it to rust in case of mishaps! 

If your metal has rusted already, make use of a half-cut potato. Yes, a potato! It contains a rust-fighting ingredient called oxalic acid. Rub the raw half of the potato against the rusted areas, removing it gently.

Cleaning damaged furniture 

If your rustic outdoor furniture was damaged by stains or dirt lodged deep, there is a quick fix for it. Mix 1 cup of baking soda with ½ cup of water in a bucket, to achieve a thick paste. Apply it over affected areas and leave for 15 minutes before scrubbing or wiping with a damp rag or sponge. Baking soda acts as an abrasive and works well with stains and damage. 

Cleaning cushions, covers, & rugs

Once dirt or grime collects in your outdoor fabric, cleaning them using regular methods can become difficult. But, it is easier than you think. 

First and foremost, shake out the excess dirt/debris by waving them in the air or patting them against a hard surface. Then, wash in warm water with mild soap or detergent. If there are any wash instructions on the labels, follow them. 

In the case of mould or mildew, mix bleach with a bucket of water in a 1:3 ratio, hand clean the fabric by applying the solution over the affected areas, and gently clean with a rag or sponge. 

Pro tips to keep in mind while cleaning your patio furniture

Now that you know how to clean your patio furniture, we have some final tips to help you achieve the squeaky clean finish: 

1. If using chemicals like bleach on lazy boy outdoor furniture is a concern, you can use lemon juice mixed with water. 

2. Once the furniture is clean, it is time to start thinking about maintenance: check for rust spots every few weeks and apply oil if necessary. 

3. No matter how much time goes by between cleanings, always give yourself enough time to set out everything in the sun before bringing it back inside so, it can dry thoroughly—wet furniture can attract bacteria! 

4. Avoid using hot water when cleaning patio furniture because it can cause cracks or breaks in the wood structure of your furniture pieces. You can make use of warm or lukewarm water. 

5. And finally—and this is important—don't forget to protect your front gate outdoor furniture with a waterproof cover when it is not in use!

How often should you clean your outdoor furniture?

It will be significantly easy for you to maintain the cleanliness of your patio furniture if you start by cleaning it regularly, especially when using it often (perhaps during the summer months).

Try to clean it every change of season to avoid the occurrence of mould and grime. And when it comes to instant stains, spills, or marks, it goes without saying–clean it instantly, so it does not set in overtime! 

Conclusion

Cleaning patio furniture might be a drag, but a necessary step nonetheless. You don’t want an unpresentable outdoor furniture assembly. You don’t want an unhygienic one, either. So, whether it’s lazy boy outdoor furniture you own or traditional rustic outdoor furniture, our cleaning guide will walk you through all the steps to keep it looking new. 

We hope this guide was handy. If you're looking for some great outdoor furniture for your patio, shop now from our website and choose from the array of options on display.