Regular cleaning and maintenance are important to enhance the beauty and extend the lifespan of outdoor furniture items. However, the process becomes much more mandatory after a long winter period. Harsh climate and weather conditions can make your outdoor furniture look tired, dull, and less inviting. This is why many people use outdoor furniture covers to protect their furniture items.
Despite the importance, many homeowners don’t know how to clean their outdoor furniture items properly. Leave, pollution, and dust particles will accumulate on the surface of the furniture items if they are left uncovered for a long period. Your first job is to remove all these loose dirt particles from the surface using a simple brush and dry cloth.
Plastic
Plastic and resin outdoor furniture items are one of the most affordable options available for homeowners. They are also available in various styles, designs, and colors, making them one of the most popular choices for patio furniture. Additionally, they are also easy to clean and maintain. Instead of using abrasives, spray the surface with normal cleaner and wipe down using a dry cloth or sponge. However, remember that plastic furniture items can develop stains after cleaning. Hence, it’s best to use outdoor furniture covers to protect them from damages.
Metal
Due to their ease of use and durability, stainless steel and iron are some of the most popular choices for outdoor furniture items. In most cases, metal outdoor furniture items will retain their shiny and original value after using a dry cloth to clean the surface thoroughly. You can also make a homemade cleaning solution by combining warm water with mild dish soap.
However, the greatest disadvantage of metal furniture is that they become rusty if not maintained correctly. Even though metal outdoor furniture items are often coated with a rust-resistant finish, constant exposure to water will damage them. If you notice rust, consider using steel wool to reduce the oxidation. As per Homecrux, baking soda can also help you to remove stains and rust from metal furniture. After that, you can repaint the surface to avoid problems in the future.
Wood
You might think that a power washer is a great cleaning tool. However, it will damage the surface as well as the internal structure of the wooden furniture items. Instead, use warm water with oil soap and a brush to clean dirt off. If the stains are tough, use a toothbrush to clean them. Keep in mind that wooden outdoor furniture items require daily cleaning.
If you have furniture crafted from hardwoods, you can use laundry detergent to clean them. After you’re done with the cleaning process, make sure that the wood is dried out properly. Otherwise, it might be affected by molds and mildews.
Fabric
Outdoor furniture items crafted from fabric undoubtedly look aesthetic and beautiful, but they become dirty quickly. As they are manufactured using both synthetic and natural materials, the greatest and safest method to clean the fabric outdoor furniture items is by using a solution of warm water and dish soap. If possible, try to follow the cleaning method provided by the manufacturer. In some cases, the fabric from the furniture can be removed to clean in a washing machine.
Conclusion
If you use improper cleaning methods for your outdoor furniture items, they might develop harder stains in the future. Remember that the cleaning method of outdoor furniture items is time-consuming. If you think that you’re unable to clean them properly, consider taking help from professionals.