KEEP PATIO FURNITURE CLEAN
Keeping your outdoor furniture looking good is easy, especially when all you need are familiar household products. You’ll want to do a thorough cleaning twice a year: In the spring, and again in late summer when your furniture may be sticky and dirty from use.
Here’s how to clean some popular outdoor furniture materials:
Plastic
Plastic patio sets are lightweight, affordable, and may show dirt if they’re white. To clean, fill a bucket with a gallon of warm water and a few squirts of liquid dish detergent. Use a soft, clean rag or sponge to clean every crevice of the table and chairs. For stains that don’t come off right away, try a half cup of bleach in the water.
Teak
Dust this wood furniture regularly with a soft, clean cloth. Clean off food with warm water and a few squirts of liquid soap. Getting rid of mildew on wood is trickier. “There are a lot of different mixtures that are recommended, depending on what type of finish is on your wood,” explains Janet Lura, a buyer of outdoor furniture for Nebraska Furniture Mart.
Aluminum
This metal is one of the most durable outdoor furniture materials you can buy. The best way to keep it looking good is with a mild soap, warm water, and a clean, soft cloth.
Wicker
This natural material, made of a weave of plant fibers and reeds, should be regularly dusted with a soft cloth to get rid of any dirt particles. Use a clean cloth dampened, not soaked, in a solution of warm water and a dash of liquid dish soap. Use a small scrub brush or old toothbrush to get into every crevice.
Cushions
Give your seat cushions some TLC too. All you need is warm water with some clear liquid dish soap, followed by a good rinsing. “The cushion’s core itself is designed to get wet so it won’t hurt it if you apply soap and water to the cushion cover,” says Lura.