How to clean and maintain patio furniture

After a few family get-togethers and exposure to the elements, outdoor furniture will start to show signs of aging. To ‘reverse the process’, you need to take quick action with food stains, and establish a regular cleaning routine to get rid of dirt, rust and mildew.

If you own resin wicker furniture, you can use an oil based soap to clean it. Here, all you need is a soft brush or cloth to work the soap in.

Before you get started, it’s important to understand that you’ll need a different approach to clean the varied furniture materials. Here’s how…

1. Plastic and metal pieces

All you really need to clean resin and metal outdoor pieces is a gentle detergent and water.

Using a sponge, wipe down the furniture and then use a soft brush to get into the corners and detailed areas before rinsing thoroughly.

Once your tables and chairs have dried, apply a light coat of car wax or paste wax to restore the shine. This will also keep the metal from rusting.

If you own resin wicker furniture, you can use an oil based soap to clean it. Here, all you need is a soft brush or cloth to work the soap in. It’s not necessary to rinse your furniture off but if you do, that’s okay too.

The best way to protect wood furniture from the elements is to have it sealed.

Top tip

To remove rust from metal furniture, lightly sand the affected area, wipe it clean and apply a coat of touch up paint in thin layers.

2. Wood furniture

The best way to protect wood furniture from the elements is to have it sealed. To do this, you’ll need to clean the surface, sand it and then use a sealer. This will help shield your furniture against UV rays, moisture, wind and dirt.

To clean treated furniture, use a pressure washer and deck cleaner. Use low pressure to wash away the dirt before rinsing thoroughly.

Top tip

To treat mildew on outdoor furniture, spritz undiluted vinegar onto the affected area and let it sit for an hour. If the stain is particularly stubborn, vigorously rub the vinegar into the mildew spot using a brush, then rinse thoroughly.

Even though most outdoor fabrics are weather-, mould-, mildew- and stain-resistant, it’s important to clean up spills and accidents quickly to avoid them setting in.

Wear protective gloves when dealing with mould and mildew.

3. Fabrics and upholstery

Even though most outdoor fabrics are weather-, mould-, mildew- and stain-resistant, it’s important to clean up spills and accidents quickly to avoid them setting in. You also want to make a habit out of brushing visible dirt and debris within a reasonable time frame.

Before you start, check the care label for specific cleaning instructions.

In most instances, all you’ll need is soapy water. Sponge down your chair covers and upholsteries, rinse them thoroughly and allow to air dry.

Top tip

With the chair covers off, it’s a good time to lightly oil the moving parts on umbrella stands and chairs.

4. Outdoor rugs

Before attempting to get rid of the grime and grease from past braai sessions, heat up the grill to loosen caked-in food scrapes.

Outdoor rugs make for perfect finishing touches as they tie everything together. This is why you want to keep them spotless.

To avoid a build-up of dust and dirt, routinely sweep and shake out your carpet.

You also want to attend to food stains immediately. You don’t want these to set in because it will make stains harder to remove.

Clean them on the spot, just remember to be gentle on the carpet fibres. Instead of scrubbing your rug, which will only trap the stains deeper into the rug, use water and a gentle soap to blot out the stains.

For a deep clean, lay out your carpet on a flat, solid surface and vacuum. Flip it over, scrub the back using soapy water before rinsing. Turn the rug over, repeat the process using a soft brush, and then rinse it thoroughly. You can then let your carpet dry on a table or deck railing.

5. Don’t forget your braai

Before attempting to get rid of the grime and grease from past braai sessions, heat up the grill to loosen caked-in food scrapes.