Cost-Effective Ways to Clean Your Outdoor Furniture

Spring has sprung!  With spring, comes spring cleaning.  This inevitable brings up the question, “What is the best way to clean my outdoor furniture?”  Being stored in the garage all winter or covered in snow does damage to even the best pieces of patio furniture.  In order to keep it for a long time and maintain its pristine look, you will inevitably need to clean it.  We present to you here some cost-effective ways to maintain that look you want at a price you can afford.

Dishwashing Liquid and Water - $1-3

By mixing several drops of dishwashing liquid into a bucket of water, you can easily clean many of your pieces of outdoor furniture.  This is the best way to clean any umbrellas you might have.  Simply soak a sponge in this solution and wipe the patio furniture down.  Once you are done, spray it down with a hose and let it dry in the sun.  However, when using this solution on wood furniture, clean the outdoor furniture with a dry brush or cloth beforehand, and be sure to wring out the sponge before wiping down the furniture.

Baking Soda and Water - $2-3

This method is best for plastic (resin) furniture as it lightly scrubs the surface without damaging it.    Simply dip a sponge into a bucket of warm water, and then into a tray full of baking soda.   Once you have the paste, gently scrub it over the surface of the furniture.  After finishing, just rinse the surface clean and let it dry.

Wood Wash and a Soft Bristled Brush - $10-20

For cleaning your wood furniture and restoring its luster, this is the best method.  It also works particularly well for teak furniture.  Apply the wood wash to a soft bristled brush and follow the manufacturer’s directions.  Once finished, rinse the wood furniture off and let it dry in the sun.

Sand Paper, Primer and Paint - $20-30

When dealing with iron patio furniture, it is good to note that it takes special care.  Your best option is to sand it down and apply a new coat of primer and paint.  After acquiring a drop cloth, gloves and a spray mask, you can begin.  Start by sanding down the rust spots on the metal furniture and wiping them clean with a clean cloth.  Finally, follow the manufacturer’s directions to apply the primer and paint.

Bleach and Water - $5

This method is to be used if you find mold on your outdoor furniture.  Just mix ½ cup of bleach into a gallon of water, scrub it with a soft brush and then rinse it off with clean water and let it dry in the sun.