How Do I Clean My Outdoor Furniture?

Master Pool Guild’s members at Rowan Landscape & Pool Co. recently shared tips on spring cleaning pool & patio furniture…

Spring & Summer should be all about spending time in and around your pool. With many of us just gearing up for the spring/summer seasons, we find ourselves looking at poolside furniture that needs refreshing. We’ve done a bit of research and want to offer you the following guidelines for getting your outdoor furniture ready for the season!

Always check for manufacturer’s recommended care instructions on your furniture and on cushion tags. Those instructions should always be followed first. Keep and refer to any instructions provided when your furniture is purchased. Your furniture company’s website may also provide resources for cleaning and care.

How to clean different outdoor furniture materials

Cast Aluminum
Cover furniture pieces from top to bottom with all-purpose cleaner and rub with a soft, nylon scrub brush. Next, wipe with a microfiber cloth. For extra protection, finish with a coat of car wax.

Cushions
Combine 1 quart warm water, 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent, and 1 tablespoon of Borax in a bucket. Dip a sponge in the solution and then use it to scrub the cushions on all sides. Let the solution soak in for 15 minutes. Rinse with your water hose. Stand each cushion on its side to dry.

Hammocks
Hammocks collect a great deal of debris so we suggest washing your hammock several times during the season. To wash, take the hammock and place it on a clean tarp and spray with the hose. Scrub with warm water and liquid dishwashing soap – using a soft brush. Rinse then repeat on the other side. Hang & let it dry in the sun.

Plastic
Spray down plastic furniture with a hose then scrub it with warm water and baking soda solution. Rinse with the hose and allow furniture to dry.

Teak
Whether your teak is natural or sealed with a protectant, the cleaning method for teak furniture is the same. Combine a 50/50 mixture of dish or laundry detergent and warm water (boat owners that have teak on their boats swear by Wisk laundry detergent!). Apply using a soft bristle brush. Allow the mixture to sit on the wood several minutes then rinse well with clean water using the brush to help push away the dirt and detergent. Towel dry.

*Although teak is highly durable, never use steel wool or a pressure hose on teak. Steel wool can break off and become embedded and power washing teak will strip away natural protectors.

Umbrellas
Hose down the umbrella. Rub a wet soft-bristle brush across a bar of laundry soap then run it over the open umbrella, working from bottom to top. Rinse with a hose. Leave open to dry.

Wicker
Use the vacuum’s crevice attachment or a dry paintbrush to dislodge debris from the cracks. Next, wet a microfiber cloth with all-purpose cleaner and wipe it over the wicker. Rinse with a damp sponge. Dry with a micro fiber cloth to prevent mildew.

Wrought Iron
Mix warm water and mild dish detergent in a bucket. Use the mixture to wipe down the entire surface. Rinse with clean water from the hose. Towel the furniture dry.

We wish you hours of relaxing this spring & summer, Living Poolside!