Spring Cleaning Series – Part 1 of 4

Winter has many of us cozily cocooned inside our homes, but the urge to transform into social butterflies takes hold when springtime rolls around. Before firing up the grill and planning get-togethers at your house, it’s a good idea to clean your outdoor furniture and accessories to ensure your guests have the best seats in (and out of) the house. Even if you’re not hosting and just looking forward to spending more time in your backyard, spring is the perfect time to dust off the winter doldrums and refresh your space.

Here’s a handy outdoor spring cleaning checklist to help you keep your outdoor furniture and accessories primed for the season. From easy cleaning how-tos to preventative maintenance, we’ve got you covered.

Jump to Section
Quick Look Checklist
Cleaning Furniture
Cleaning Accessories
Preventive Maintenance
Safety Tips

Before you start cleaning: We recommend checking the warranty and care instructions for any items you own to see the suggested cleaning methods. When working with harsh chemicals and pressure washers, always wear goggles, gloves, a facemask, boots, and ear protection. And don’t forget to block off your work area so curious kids and pets can’t wander in by mistake.

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Quick-Look Spring Cleaning Tips

Furniture

• Brush off dust and debris
• Clean off stains, dirt, mold, and mildew
• Check for scratches, dents, and repair as necessary

  PRO TIP:  
Apply a protective coating to all surfaces, or use weatherproof covers to ensure your furniture stays safe when it’s out in the elements.

Accessories

• Remove dust and dirt
• Clean up stains, mold, and mildew
• Fix fabric tears as soon as you see them

  PRO TIP:  
Spray outdoor cushions and umbrellas with a fabric protectant that repels water, stains, and mildew.

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How to Clean Your Outdoor Furniture

Whether you’re coming back from a winter hiatus or you’ve spent time on the patio all year long, it’s good to show your outdoor furniture some love. Here’s our advice for keeping your lounge furniture clean and prepped for springtime entertaining.

HDPE

The Quick Clean

Step 1: Mix mild dish soap and warm water in a bucket.
Step 2: Use a clean cloth or soft-bristle brush to wipe the surfaces of your furniture.
Step 3: Rinse with clean water and let your furniture air dry.

The Spring Clean

Step 1: Fill a bucket with clean water and pour in a bit of bleach.
Step 2: Use a clean cloth to wipe the solution on your lumber and let the solution sit for a few minutes.
Step 3: Scrub off any debris or dirt caught in surface grooves with a soft-bristle brush.
Step 4: Rinse with clean water and let it air dry.

Aluminum

The Quick Clean

Step 1: Mix mild dish soap and warm water in a bucket.
Step 2: Use a clean cloth to wipe the mixture onto the aluminum surfaces, rubbing off any dirt.
Step 3: Rinse your furniture thoroughly with clean water and let it air dry.

The Spring Clean

Step 1: First, spot test a mild solvent, such as mineral spirits, to ensure no coating damage or staining from the cleaner.
Step 2: Apply the solvent to stains with a soft cloth or sponge.
Step 3: Gently scrub all surfaces of the aluminum.
Step 4: Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Step 5: Let your furniture air dry.

Wicker

The Quick Clean

Step 1: Before cleaning, remove any cushions. Those require different cleaning methods (see the Accessories section for outdoor cushion care).
Step 2: Remove dust with a clean cloth or microfiber duster.
Step 3: If you have natural wicker furniture (bamboo, rattan, willow, etc.), spot clean with soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge. This method works on resin wicker too.
Step 4: Dry wicker furniture completely with a soft cloth before putting cushions back on.

The Spring Clean

Step 1: Take off any cushions, and sweep away debris using your dry vac brush attachment.
Step 2: Gently scrub the surfaces of the wicker with soapy water and a soft-bristle brush. Use a toothbrush to get hard-to-reach spots.
Step 3: Rinse your furniture and dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth.

Wood

The Quick Clean

Step 1: Blow off dust and dirt with a leaf blower.
Step 2: Using mild soapy water and a soft-bristle brush, gently scrub away dirt and grime.
Step 3: Let your furniture air dry completely. 

The Spring Clean

Step 1: Mix powdered oxygen bleach with water, and apply it to the surfaces of your wooden furniture with a soft-bristle brush.
Step 2: Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
Step 3: Allow wooden furniture fully to dry before using it.

Wrought Iron

The Quick Clean

Step 1: Remove any cushions.
Step 2: Clear away loose dirt with a dry vac with a brush attachment or your leaf blower.
Step 3: Mix mild dish soap and water in a bucket.
Step 4: Dip a clean cloth in the soapy water and wash away any grime left on the surfaces. Use a toothbrush to reach inside tight curves and twisted pieces.
Step 5: Rinse your furniture with clean water and let it air dry.

The Spring Clean

Step 1: Clean your wrought iron furniture using the above Quick Clean method.
Step 2: Remove rust, loose paint, and stains with sandpaper or a wire brush as soon as you’re finished cleaning. Use a power drill with a wire brush attachment to knock this task out quickly. You may need to do a second pass and hand-sand stubborn areas.
Step 3: Apply an even coat of matching touch-up paint to the impacted areas.
Step 4: Let the paint dry fully before using our furniture.
Source: TheSpruce.com 

Injection-Molded Plastic

The Quick Clean

Step 1: Mix mild dish soap and warm water in a bucket.
Step 2: Using a clean cloth, rub down all the surfaces of your furniture.
Step 3: Rinse with clean water.
Step 4: Let each piece dry completely before using.

Cleaning Off White Film
When left in the sun too long, injection-molded plastic chairs can develop a chalky, white film on the surfaces. This film is the dusty remnants of the plastic material as it degrades under the sun’s rays. Follow these steps to get rid of this unwanted finish.

Step 1: Mix water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, and apply it liberally to all surfaces of your furniture.
Step 2: Let the solution sit on your furniture for about 20 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
Step 3: Scrub off grime with a vinegar-soaked cloth and rinse once more with clean water.
Step 4: Pour baking soda on a damp sponge, then scour the surfaces of your furniture. Repeat this step as many times as you need.
Step 5: Rinse with clean water, and let your furniture air dry.
Source: Hunker.com 

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Cleaning Outdoor Accessories

Extend the lives of your outdoor pillows, cushions, and umbrellas with these easy cleaning tips. 

Cushions and Pillows

The Quick Clean

Step 1: Brush off loose dirt.
Step 2: Mix mild dish soap and warm water in a bucket.
Step 3: Dip a clean cloth in the mixture and wipe down your cushions and pillows.
Step 4: Rinse with clean water.
Step 5: Place cushions and pillows on their sides to dry with the zippers facing the bottom.

The Spring Clean

Step 1: Pour a little bit of Borax and mild dish soap into a spray bottle filled with warm water.
Step 2: Spray the solution directly onto the stain and let it soak for a few minutes.
Step 3: Use a clean cloth or soft-bristle brush to work the solution into the stain.
Step 4: Let it stand once more for 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 5: Rinse with clean water.
Step 6: Allow the cushions to dry on their sides with the zippers facing the bottom so water drains out faster.

Umbrellas

Spring Clean Fixed Fabrics

Step 1: Open your umbrella and lay it on its side.
Step 2: Use a dry vac with a brush attachment to remove debris.
Step 3: Rinse with clean water using your garden hose.
Step 4: Pour equal parts water and white vinegar and a dollop of mild dish soap into a bucket.
Step 5: Dip a clean cloth in the soapy water and clean any noticeable stains on either side of the umbrella’s fabric and its shaft and base.
Step 6: Rinse both sides and allow your umbrella to air dry thoroughly.

Spring Clean Detachable Fabrics

Step 1: Remove the umbrella fabric from the frame and spread it out on a tarp.
Step 2: Brush off debris with a broom.
Step 3: Rinse with clean water using your garden hose.
Step 4: Blend equal parts of water and white vinegar with a bit of mild dish soap in a bucket.
Step 5: Scrub the solution into both fabric sides as well as the umbrella’s shaft and base using a soft-bristle brush.
Step 6: Let it soak in for 10 minutes.
Step 7: Rinse once more with your garden hose and let the fabric air dry.
Step 8: After it’s completely dry, reattach the fabric to the umbrella’s frame.
Source: HGTV.com

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Preventive Maintenance

Read the tips below to keep your outdoor furniture in excellent condition for years to come.

Furniture

All Materials

• Store outdoor furniture in your shed or garage when you aren’t using it.
• Invest in durable covers that you can put over your furniture when it’s not in use.

Aluminum and Wrought Iron

• Use touch-up paint on aluminum and wrought iron to cover any chips or scratches you see in the finish. 
• Prevent water from building up inside aluminum frames by periodically removing the foot caps.
• Use baby oil or mineral oil as a protective coating for textured aluminum finishes to keep out dirt and debris.
• Protect and maintain the appearance of non-textured aluminum and wrought iron by applying an even coat of fine car wax.

Natural Wicker

• Keep natural wicker dry. Moisture can loosen and weaken the woven fibers, leading to breakage. 
• Keep your furniture in a covered space, like a gazebo, to prevent cracking or fading from too much sun exposure.  
• Condition the natural wicker fibers with a thin coat of lemon oil every few months for added protection.

Wood

• Use even pressure and move with the grain when sanding or scrubbing wooden furniture to avoid scratches and surface damage.
• Clean sunscreen and bird droppings right away, so they don’t cause permanent stains and damage to wood.
• Reapply sealant, paint, and stain every few years to protect your pieces.

Accessories

Pillows, Cushions, and Umbrellas

• Check out our cushion care guide for tips on removing oil-based stains, reversing water damage, fade prevention, etc.
• If possible, flip your cushions occasionally to even out the wear on all sides.
• Store cushions in your garage or deck box when you’re not using them.
• Extend the life of your umbrella by brushing off leaves, debris, and cobwebs once a month — or more if it’s under trees.

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Cleaning Safety Tips

Sometimes you’ll have to use power tools and chemicals when cleaning. Read our safety tips to help protect yourself and your property.

Furniture

• Before you start cleaning, know what type of wood your furniture is made from. Softwoods have different needs than hardwoods. 
• Don’t use a pressure washer to clean wooden furniture. It can damage the surface, stripping off the finish and leaving gouges if you aren’t careful.
• Never use steel wool, stiff brushes, power washers, or abrasive substances on natural or synthetic wicker, aluminum, or injection-molded plastic, as these can damage the materials.
• Wear rubber gloves, a face mask, goggles, and boots when using strong chemicals.

Accessories

• Check the care instructions for your outdoor cushions before dry cleaning or putting them in the washer. These methods aren’t safe for some materials.
• Do not use a pressure washer to clean outdoor cushions or umbrellas.