Deck and patio furniture often takes a beating over the winter because, honestly, who wants to be cleaning outdoor furniture when you could be snuggled on the couch binging your favorite show and sipping cocoa? Now that it’s nice out though, you need to get it in shape so that it looks great when you host barbecues and outdoor get together.
Learn how to clean outdoor furniture, whether it’s made of metal, wood or plastic.
Washing deck furniture is fairly simple. The most difficult part of the chore is removing all the caked on soil and grime that’s built up over the winter. However, with a little bit of elbow grease, that won’t take too terribly long either.
You’ll need:
- Dishwashing liquid
- A bucket
- Warm water
- A commercial cleaner that’s safe to use on the material your furniture is made of
- Microfiber cloths
- A soft-bristled brush
Step-by-Step Instructions
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1Step 1Spray
Start by spraying your furniture off using the hose. The nozzle should be set so that the flow of water is powerful enough to help loosen and dislodge soil and dirt.
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2Step 2Mix detergent and water
Mix ¼ cup of dishwashing liquid in a large bucket of warm water.
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3Step 3Wipe down
Dampen a microfiber cloth with the soapy water and wipe your furniture down. You may need to freshen your cloth up if it starts looking dingy.
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4Step 4Air dry
Let your furniture air dry.
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5Step 5Use commercial cleaner if needed
If there’s still a considerable amount of grime left, you’ll need to up the ante with a commercial product that’s safe for cleaning your outdoor furniture. Follow the instructions on the product’s packaging.
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6Step 6Use soft-bristled brush
For dirt that is especially caked on, you can use a soft-bristled brush unless the manufacturer’s instructions state that you shouldn’t. Be gentle, especially with painted or wood furniture. Additionally, you should follow the grain when using a brush on wood.
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7Step 7Rinse with hose and air dry
Rinse the cleaning product away with your water hose, and let your furniture air dry.
