How to Deep Clean Your Patio Furniture

The summer season is upon us, which means it’s time to uncover the patio furniture and freshen up the outdoor space.

Patios present such a great opportunity to host and entertain a group of friends or loved ones over dinner or a round of drinks and games.

As fun as that sounds, there’s nothing worse than being met with dirty and dusty patio furniture that looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in ages.

Before your evening parties and dinners kick into full swing this summer season, it’s best if you deep clean your patio furniture and breathe new life into your outdoor setting.

So, it’s time to bring out your cleaning supplies and apply some elbow grease to give your patio a new, clean, fresh look and feel.

Cleaning Patio Cushions and Pillows

Cushions and pillows are a must when it comes to patios because they add so much style and depth to your outdoor furniture. However, they also endure a great degree of wear and tear, given how they are exposed to things like dust, air, debris, mildew, bird droppings, etc.

So, when you begin to deep clean your patio furniture, the first things that need your attention are the pillows and cushions.

The tools you will need to wash and clean patio cushions and pillows include:

• • Bucket of water
  • Clean towel
  • Borax
  • Vacuum with an upholstery attachment
  • Dish detergent
  • Cleaning brush with soft bristles
  • Garden hose

The steps you need to follow are:

1. 1. Vacuum the loose debris and dust from the cushions and pillows using the upholstery attachment. Make sure to get all the dirt and dust from the crevices and seams and around any decorative elements. In case you don’t have a vacuum, you can also use a soft-bristled brush to get rid of the grime.
   2. Prepare a cleaning solution with borax and water and scrub the cushions and pillows with it using a scrubbing brush. Go over the stained areas more than once in order to ensure the complete removal of stubborn stains. Once you’ve scrubbed the cushions, allow the solution to soak for a few minutes.
   3. Rinse the cushions and pillows using a garden hose on medium to high pressure to rinse away the cleaning solution properly. Be gentle here so as not to avoid causing any kind of damage to the fabric.
   4. Lastly, use your hands to squeeze all excess water and then blot it with the help of a clean, dry towel. This will help soak up moisture, after which you can let the cushions air-dry. Set them up in a vertical position in a dry, sunny spot to help speed up the drying process.

If your patio cushions and pillows have removable covers, all you need to do is toss them in the washing machine and follow the instructions for washing given by the manufacturer.

Cleaning Wooden Structures

Most patios have wooden tables and chairs made of hardwoods that can easily be cleaned with a few simple steps that include the following:

1. 1. Use a soft nylon-bristled brush to remove any dirt, dust, or loose debris from the patio furniture.
   2. Take a damp cloth or sponge, add a few drops of any mild household soap and gently clean the surface with the help of lukewarm water.
   3. Soak all excess moisture and water using a lint-free or microfiber cloth. Make sure that there are no wet or moist spots, as it can damage the wooden structures.
   4. Allow the wood to dry on its own naturally under the sun.

Cleaning Different Types of Patio Furniture

To deep clean your patio furniture, you must take into account the fact that there are different types of materials that have different cleaning requirements.

Take a look at some common types of patio furniture and materials and the numerous ways in which you can clean them.

Wicker Furniture

Wicker is such a wonderful choice for outdoor furniture, given how it’s super easy to clean and doesn’t require too much care.

First, vacuum the furniture to remove dirt and dust, or you can also use a low-pressure hose if you notice dirt in the crevices. After that, create a solution using warm water, white vinegar, and ammonia to clean the furniture. Wash it off with water using a garden hose, and allow it to dry completely before you use it.

Plastic Furniture

While plastic isn’t an ideal choice for outdoor furniture, a lot of people still opt for it, given how it’s easy on the pocket.

To clean plastic patio furniture, you need water, baking soda, or dishwashing detergent, whichever is available to you.

First, remove all the dust from the surface with water using a hose. Take a clean sponge, dip it in the homemade cleaning solution and gently scrub the furniture. If there are hard-to-reach places that you aren’t able to access with the sponge, you can use an old toothbrush to do that. Wash it off with a garden hose.

In the end, take a dry, clean towel and wipe the furniture dry to prevent watermarks. Allow it to air dry completely.

Cast Iron Furniture

This is another commonly used material for outdoor patio furniture and offers quite a stunning overall look and feel.

Take a bucket, mix together water and any mild detergent, and work the solution on the furniture with the help of a sponge. Gently clean in an up-down manner to get to the crevices and hard-to-reach spots. Then, use clean water and a wet sponge to wipe away the cleaning solution. Make sure that there’s no residue left behind.

Dry it off using a lint-free soft towel and make sure it dries up completely to prevent rust formation.

Ready to Deep Clean Your Patio Furniture?

Getting your patio ready for the season can be a lot of work, but it’s very important to deep clean your patio furniture.

Once it’s all clean and nice, you can have your friends over and make the most of the summer season with refreshing drinks and summer smoothies!