Spotless sanity: How to clean and maintain your outdoor furniture

The furniture in your home is safe, secure and often enjoys the pampering care of the brush, vacuum cleaner and even the wet cloth once in a while. But what really needs extra care is the furniture outdoors in the patio.

Having been exposed to the fury of the elements all year long, patio furniture often needs that extra bit of attention to keep it going for long. Different materials need to be cared for in different ways to sustain their beauty and utility. But the basics of it are simple, easy to follow and will help save both the attractiveness of your home and the cash in your wallet.



So let’s get down to understanding the business of cleaning and maintaining outdoor furniture.

Brush away dirt with acre and gentleness

One simple way of taking care of your patio furniture is by brushing away dirt and cleaning them gently on a regular basis. This does not require either much time or great effort. Simply use a nylon cloth or duster along with a leaf blower to just clear the surface. This ensures that dirt won’t stick nor accumulate into something that is hard to get rid of in a few months time. Simple regular care has great benefits compared to the once in a year extensive makeover!

Use a gentle hose to remove stuck dirt and try pressure wash

Hose-away dirt that is stuck on the surface and cannot be removed using just the dusters. Do not ever try to forcefully remove the stain using brute strength or by scratching it mindlessly. This only helps destroy the surface of the furniture. Water is often the best way to cleanse and pressure wash is becoming a popular way of cleaning outdoor furniture. But once you do get this done, sun dry the furniture and then double check it to make sure everything is bone dry.

Scrub off stubborn stains using the right agent

Mild soap and water are excellent agents to scrub off the sticky stains, irrespective of the material of outdoor furniture. It could be aluminum, metal, wrought iron, wicker, plastic of wood, the technique works for all. But makes sure that use very mild soap and the leave the furniture dry.



Polish, Protect and Pain- 3 P’s that never fail

Once you are done with the cleaning part, make sure the wooden and wicker furniture along with the metal and aluminum stuff are properly polished with a protective coating of wax or appropriate agent to protect them from the elements. This offers the automatic protection for a long time. In case you see faults in metal and wooden furniture like rust and irregularities, restore them to prevent the spreading of damage and repaint.

Know the material of your outdoor furniture and treat them accordingly

Apart from teak and cedar, wooden furniture should be stored indoors during the winter. This helps a great deal in protecting and making them look great for years together. Other material like resin and plastic are less harmed by changing weather patterns. While aluminum is an exception, other metals should be kept away from extreme and prolonged exposure to moisture.

By taking care of outdoor furniture and cleaning them regularly, you not only add glittering shine to your own home, but make sure that your investment pays off well. Just remember that if you are bothered enough to clean the furniture inside your home regularly, then it should be no different in case of the expensive stuff on your patio!