
Spring Cleaning Checklist: Prep Your Patio Furniture and Accessories
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Time to read 8 min
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Time to read 8 min
Many of us are cozily cocooned inside our homes during winter, but the urge to get outside takes hold when springtime rolls around. It’s the season of renewal—the perfect time to dust off the winter doldrums and refresh your outdoor spaces.
Here's a handy outdoor spring cleaning checklist to help you keep your patio furniture and accessories primed for the season. From easy cleaning how-tos to preventative maintenance, we've got you covered.
Before you start cleaning, we recommend completing the following tasks:
*NOTE: Some of the cleaning methods below include bleach. If you prefer a natural alternative, we recommend undistilled white vinegar.
Furniture
PRO TIP:
Apply a protective coating to all surfaces, or use weatherproof covers to ensure your furniture stays safe when left out in the elements.
Accessories
PRO TIP:
Spray outdoor cushions and umbrellas with a fabric protectant that repels water, stains, and mildew.
Here's our advice for keeping your lounge furniture clean and prepped for springtime entertaining.
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: Wipe the solution onto the lumber with a clean cloth and let it sit for a few minutes.
Step 3: Scrub off any debris caught in surface grooves with a soft-bristle brush.
Step 4: Rinse with clean water and let it air-dry.
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: Spot test a mild solvent, such as mineral spirits, to ensure it won’t stain or damage the aluminum.
Step 2: If the solvent works safely, apply it to stains with a soft cloth or sponge.
Step 3: Gently scrub all surfaces of the aluminum.
Step 4: Rinse your furniture with clean water and let it air-dry.
The Quick Clean
Step 1: Remove any cushions before cleaning. Different cleaning methods are required for cushions (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 the wicker with a soft cloth and let it air-dry completely in a shaded, ventilated space before replacing the cushions.
The Spring Clean
Step 1: Take off any cushions and sweep away debris using a dry vacuum fitted with a brush attachment.
Step 2: Gently scrub the wicker’s surfaces 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, then allow it to fully air-dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area.
The Quick Clean
Step 1: Blow off dust and dirt with a leaf blower.
Step 2: Gently scrub away dirt and grime using soapy water and a soft-bristle brush.
Step 3: Let your furniture air-dry completely.
The Spring Clean
Step 1: Mix powdered oxygen bleach with water according to the product’s instructions and apply it to the furniture's surfaces with a soft-bristle brush.
Step 2: Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes. Scrub gently where needed before rinsing with clean water.
Step 3: Allow your furniture to air-dry completely before use.
The Quick Clean
Step 1: Remove any cushions.
Step 2: Clear away loose dirt with a dry vacuum, leaf blower, or hand broom. For hard-to-reach places, use a toothbrush.
Step 3: Mix mild dish soap and water in a bucket.
Step 4: Wash away grime with soapy water and a clean cloth, using the toothbrush to scrub small spaces.
Step 5: Rinse your furniture with clean water and let it air-dry.
The Spring Clean
Step 1: Follow The Quick Clean method shown above.
Step 2: Remove rust, chipped paint, and stains with sandpaper or a wire brush. Repeat as needed on stubborn areas.
Step 3: Apply an even coat of touch-up paint to the impacted areas.
Step 4: Let the paint cure completely before using your furniture.
The Quick Clean
Step 1: Mix mild dish soap and warm water in a bucket.
Step 2: Rub the soapy solution on your furniture with a clean cloth.
Step 3: Rinse with clean water and let each piece air-dry completely before using.
Removing White Film
When left in the sun too long, injection-molded plastic chairs can develop a chalky, white film. This dusty residue is the result of UV rays breaking down plastic. Follow these steps to restore the finish.
Step 1: Mix water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and apply it to all furniture surfaces.
Step 2: Let the solution sit for about 20 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
Step 3: Scrub grime with a vinegar-soaked cloth and rinse again.
Step 4: Pour baking soda onto a damp sponge and scour your furniture, repeating as needed.
Step 5: Rinse with clean water and let your furniture air-dry.
Source: Hunker.com
Extend the lives of your outdoor pillows, cushions, and umbrellas with these easy cleaning tips.
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 the cushion fabric.
Step 4: Rinse with clean water.
Step 5: Dry cushions and pillows on their sides with the zippers facing down—this helps water drain out faster.
The Spring Clean
Step 1: Pour a bit of Borax and mild dish soap into a spray bottle filled with warm water.
Step 2: Spray the solution directly onto the fabric and let it soak for a few minutes.
Step 3: Scrub the solution in with a clean cloth or soft-bristle brush.
Step 4: Let it stand for 10–15 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
Step 5: Dry the cushions on their sides with the zippers facing down.
Spring Clean Fixed Fabrics
Step 1: Open your umbrella and lay it on its side.
Step 2: Use a dry vacuum fitted with a brush attachment to remove debris.
Step 3: Rinse with clean water.
Step 4: In a bucket, mix equal parts water and white vinegar and add a bit of dish soap.
Step 5: Dip a clean cloth in the soapy water and clean any noticeable stains on the umbrella’s base, shaft, and canopy.
Step 6: Rinse your umbrella and leave it open to air-dry.
Spring Clean Detachable Fabrics
Step 1: Remove the umbrella fabric from the frame and shake off loose debris.
Step 2: Rub liquid detergent directly on stains.
Step 3: Let it soak for 10–15 minutes, then scrub the fabric with a soft-bristle brush.
Step 4: Rinse with clean water.
Step 5: In a bucket, blend equal parts water and white vinegar with a small amount of dish soap.
Step 6: Using a soft-bristle brush, scrub the solution into both sides of the fabric, the umbrella shaft, and its base.
Step 7: Let it soak in for 10 minutes, then rinse everything with clean water.
Step 8: Spread the canopy out on a tarp and let it air-dry overnight.
Step 9: Reattach the fabric to the frame once it's completely dry.
Here are our tips for keeping your outdoor furniture in excellent condition for years to come.
All Materials
Aluminum and Wrought Iron
Natural Wicker
Wood
Pillows, Cushions, and Umbrellas
Follow these guidelines to protect yourself and your property while cleaning.