Tips on how to clean outdoor furniture

Outdoor furniture is a great addition to your outdoor living area. Furniture adds a comfortable spot for guests and family members to relax on. Since outdoor furniture is used outside, it is made of different materials than indoor furnishings and therefore requires different cleaning techniques. The reason for this is because they need to be able to stand up to the elements outside and not get ruined. Heavy rainfalls and harsh winters can cause outdoor seating to lose its colour and tear. The last thing you want is for your expensive patio furniture to get ruined. In this blog, we will give you tips and tricks on how to maintain your outdoor furniture and keep it clean and comfortable all year round. 

The first step is to get rid of debris. Even if your furniture was stored inside during the winter months, there will most likely be leaves and cobwebs that need to be cleaned. Cobweb and leaves can be vacuumed off of cushions, frames and pillows before washing. Wood, wicker, and plastic furniture can be washed with a garden hose and then gently scrubbed with a sponge to get rid of hard bits of dirt. 

Avoid using harsh chemicals

When cleaning, avoid using chemicals as much as you can. If you can’t avoid it, at least try not to use bleach. Bleach is the worst chemical despite it’s amazing ability to clean stains. The reason to avoid using chemicals is because they can cause damage and discolouration to outdoor furniture, especially plastic. A lot of people buy plastic furniture because of its cheap pricing but it often needs the most maintenance. Surface paint and sealants can be easily rubbed off which will affect the appearance. Rust also starts to appear when there isn’t a protectant barrier against the plastic or other furniture frames. Steam cleaning is a good cleaning alternative because it’s gentle. 

Another great tip when cleaning your outdoor furniture is to refer to the given washing instructions. The manufacturers of the furniture items will know the best cleaning methods to use and therefore checking those is a good idea. You might need to buy special cleaning products if that’s what the instructions call for. Even if they are expensive, they will save you money in the long run. Another tip is to put cushion and pillow covers in the washing machine. This is a fast and efficient way to clean them thoroughly. Make sure to read furniture instructions to see if you need a specific detergent. Instructions are given for a reason, so it’s best to follow them.

Establish a cleaning routine

The next step is to establish a routine. Lots of money is spent when buying outdoor furniture. You don’t want that money to go to waste just because you don’t know how to take care of it. If cared for properly, patio furniture will last many years. Make a cleaning routine so your furniture is kept fresh. Invest in a high quality vacuum to get rid of the build up of dirt and grim. A steam cleaning machine is also a good tool to invest in to gently clean frames and cushion covers. In summer months, clean your furniture weekly. Whether you wipe it down or vacuum it, you should be doing weekly maintenance on it. Before you put your seating away for the winer, give it a deep clean. As well as when you take it out for the beginning of summer. 

Overall, outdoor furniture is an amazing thing to have in your outdoor space. As great as they are, they do require upkeep. Make sure to clean your patio furniture regularly to make it last many years. If you need help cleaning, then call Carpet Cleaning Milton today and we can set up a time to come clean.