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How to Clean Patio Furniture
All POLYWOOD products are easy to maintain, and we've created multiple guides you can follow to keep your furniture and accessories relaxation-ready.
How To Clean & Sanitize POLYWOOD Furniture
Follow these cleaning methods to spruce up your furniture fast.
Supplies Needed
- Dry vacuum cleaner
- Mild dish soap
- 5-gallon plastic bucket
- Soft-bristle brush
- Washcloth
- (Optional) Liquid bleach
Instructions
- Quickly remove loose dirt and debris with the dry vacuum.
- Mix the dish soap and warm water in the bucket.
- (Optional step) To clean and sanitize, pour in a bit of bleach. We recommend 1 part bleach to 2 parts water.
- Use a washcloth to apply the soapy water to the lumber and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Scrub the surfaces using the soft-bristle brush to loosen any dirt or debris.
- Rinse with clean water and let your furniture air-dry.
Tips:
- Wear chemical-resistant gloves if you plan to use bleach.
- For a natural bleach alternative, try undistilled white vinegar and baking soda.
- Avoid using abrasive cleaning or polishing scrubbers (such as eraser pads) on lumber.
How to Protect Furniture From Squirrels
Don't let them drive you nuts—or damage your new investment.
HIGH-PRESSURE DEEP CLEAN
This high-pressure power washing method gives your furniture a deep, thorough cleaning.
Supplies Needed
- A pressure washer (rated no higher than 1,500 psi) equipped with a 40-degree fan tip
Instructions
- Spray all areas of your furniture with slow, even sweeps, keeping the nozzle about 8 inches away from the surface.
- If any stubborn spots remain, follow the Clean & Sanitize steps to remove them.
Tips:
- Always keep the pressure washer's wand moving. Spraying one spot continuously can cause gouges and other damage.
- Wear goggles, gloves, a facemask, boots, and ear protection when using a pressure washer.
STAINLESS STEEL HARDWARE
All POLYWOOD furniture hardware (screws, nuts, bolts, and other fasteners) is made using marine-grade 18-8 stainless steel with an AlloChrome 3200+™ finish and cosmetic coating. Here’s how to clean these hardworking parts.
Supplies Needed
- Mild dish soap
- 5-gallon plastic bucket
- Soft-bristle brush
- Towel
Instructions
- Mix the dish soap and warm water in a bucket.
- Apply the soapy mixture to the hardware with a soft-bristle brush.
- Rinse thoroughly and wipe away excess water with a dry towel.
Salt Air Tips:
Keep your hardware in great shape with these corrosion-prevention tips.
- Apply a color-appropriate appliance touch-up paint (available at your local hardware store).
- Dab on a coat of clear car wax.
- If the hardware comes in contact with salt water, rinse it right away with fresh water and towel dry.
HOW TO CLEAN CUSHIONS & PILLOWS
Follow these easy steps to keep your outdoor cushions clean and pillows pristine.
Supplies Needed
- (Optional) Dry vacuum
- Mild dish soap
- 5-gallon plastic bucket
- Washcloth
Instructions
- Brush or rinse loose debris off cushion covers before it embeds in the fabric. Using your dry vacuum makes quick work of this.
- Create a mixture of ¼ cup of dish soap per gallon of warm water in a bucket. (For 5 gallons of water, use 1¼ cup of soap.)
- Apply the mixture to the material with a clean cloth.
- Rinse thoroughly and let your cushions air-dry.
Tips:
- Standing cushions on their sides will help them dry faster.
- If possible, flip your cushions periodically to even out the wear on each side.
- Store patio cushions in a dry spot—such as a shed, garage, or console table—when not in use.
More About Fabric Care
Need to remove mold, mildew, and tougher stains? View our full cushion cleaning guide.
SLING FABRIC
Extend the life of your outdoor sling fabrics with this easy semi-annual cleaning method.
Supplies Needed
- Whisk broom
- Mild dish soap
- 5-gallon plastic bucket
- Sponge or washcloth
- Liquid bleach
Instructions
- Remove loose dirt with the whisk broom.
- Mix 1 Tbsp dish soap and 2 Tbsp bleach per 1 gallon of water. (For 5 gallons of water, use 5 Tbsp dish soap and 10 Tbsp bleach.)
- Use the sponge or cloth to scrub the mixture onto all parts of the sling fabric.
- Thoroughly rinse the material right away and let it air-dry.
AVOID OIL-BASED PRODUCTS
Oil-based products can damage outdoor sling fabric and make it age faster. If direct contact occurs, clean it off right away using the following method.
Supplies Needed
- Paper towel
- Corn starch
- Dry vacuum cleaner or straight edge
Instructions
- Blot any excess oil with paper towels—do not rub.
- Apply cornstarch to the stain and let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
- Remove the corn starch using the dry vacuum or straight edge.
- Repeat the process until all the oil has been absorbed.
Deep Clean Patio Umbrellas
Remove mold, mildew, and stains with this deep cleaning method.
Supplies Needed
- Dry vacuum cleaner
- 5-gallon bucket
- Mild dish soap
- Bleach
- Soft-bristle brush
Instructions
- Open your umbrella and lay it on its side.
- Remove dust and loose dirt with your dry vacuum fitted with a brush attachment.
- Rinse the canopy with your garden hose.
- Fill the bucket with warm water and mix in 1 cup of bleach and ¼ cup of soap per gallon of water.
- Apply the solution to the fabric and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Thoroughly rinse the canopy and leave it open to air-dry.
NOTE: Only use this method on bleach-cleanable performance fabrics. Before trying this approach, check with your umbrella’s manufacturer to see if it’s safe to clean with bleach.
Sturdy and Stylish Black Umbrella Bases
POLYWOOD black umbrella bases let you enjoy sleek style in the shade. This color coordinates with all of our canopy fabrics and outdoor furniture. And because we know you love variety, we also offer white and bronze umbrella bases.
SYNTHETIC WICKER
Prevent wear and tear on resin wicker with this easy cleaning method.
Supplies Needed
- Dry vacuum cleaner
- Paintbrush
- Mild dish soap
- 5-gallon plastic bucket
- Soft-bristle brush
- Toothbrush
- Towel
Instructions
- Before cleaning, remove any cushions.
- Sweep away debris using your dry vacuum’s brush attachment, and get hard-to-reach areas with the paintbrush.
- Dip your soft-bristle brush in the soapy water and gently scrub the wicker’s surfaces. Use a toothbrush to get into nooks and crannies.
- Rinse with clean water and dry it off with a towel.
What Our Customers Say
"Great investment! These products are durable and easy to care for. They can be hosed off or scrubbed clean if need be."
Alison P.
Palm Coast Adirondack, October 2022
"POLYWOOD is the best. I can leave it outside on the patio and don’t have to worry about wood rot. Easy to clean and always looks good. The most durable ever."
Andrea L.
Long Island 26" Counter Side Table, October 2022
"It’s a great cushion...The fit is spot on for the glider and it’s easy to spot clean with a damp cloth. "
Karen L.
Bench Seat Cushion - 18.5"D x 43.5"W x 2.5"H, September 2022
How to Care for Other Patio Furniture Materials
ALUMINUM
Keep your aluminum patio furniture in tip-top shape with the following steps.
Supplies Needed
- Whisk broom
- Mild dish soap
- 5-gallon plastic bucket
- Sponge or washcloth
- (Optional) Mineral spirits or other mild solvent
Instructions
- Brush off any dirt and debris with the whisk broom.
- Mix mild dish soap and warm water in a bucket.
- Use the sponge or cloth to wipe the cleaning solution onto the aluminum surfaces, rubbing off any dirt.
- (Optional step) Rub the solvent on tough stains with the sponge or cloth until they're removed.
- Rinse your furniture thoroughly with clean water and let it air-dry.
NATURAL WICKER
Maintain the beauty of natural wicker furniture with this gentle method.
Supplies Needed
- Clean cloth or microfiber duster
- Soft sponge
- Mild dish soap
- 5-gallon plastic bucket
- Towel
Instructions
- Take off any cushions.
- Remove dust with the cloth or duster.
- Mix mild dish soap and warm water in a bucket.
- Spot clean with soapy water and the sponge.
- Dry the furniture completely with a clean towel before putting cushions back on.
WROUGHT IRON
Follow these instructions to make your wrought iron patio furniture last.
Supplies Needed
- Dry vacuum cleaner
- Paintbrush
- Mild dish soap
- 5-gallon plastic bucket
- Washcloth
- Toothbrush
Instructions
- Remove any cushions.
- Clear away loose dirt with a dry vacuum with a brush attachment—for hard-to-reach spots, use the paintbrush.
- Mix mild dish soap and water in a bucket.
- Wash away dirt using the soapy solution and a clean cloth. (An old toothbrush works great in reaching into tight curves and twisted pieces.)
- Rinse your metal furniture with clean water and let it air-dry.
FABRIC
Keep your mesh, canvas, or sling fabrics clean with these simple steps.
Supplies Needed
- Dry vacuum cleaner
- Plastic spray bottle
- distilled white vinegar
- Soft-bristle brush
Instructions
- Use the dry vacuum to remove dirt and debris.
- Fill a plastic spray bottle with distilled white vinegar.
- Spray the fabric and let the vinegar soak in for a few minutes.
- Scrub the areas with a soft-bristle brush.
- Rinse your chair thoroughly and let it air-dry.
WOOD
Extend the lives of teak, ipe, cypress, and other wood furniture with these easy instructions.
Supplies Needed
- Dry vacuum cleaner
- Mild dish soap
- 5-gallon plastic bucket
- Soft-bristle brush
Instructions
- Remove dirt and debris with a dry vacuum with a brush attachment.
- Mix mild soap and water in a bucket.
- Scrub the soapy solution all over the frame with the soft-bristle brush.
- Rinse with fresh water.
- Let your furniture air-dry completely.
INJECTION-MOLDED PLASTIC
Ensure your plastic furniture is pristine with this quick cleaning method.
Supplies Needed
- Whisk broom
- Mild dish soap
- 5-gallon plastic bucket
- Washcloth
Instructions
- Use the whisk broom to brush away loose debris.
- Mix mild dish soap and warm water in a bucket.
- Using a clean cloth, rub down all the surfaces of your resin furniture.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Let your outdoor pieces fully dry before using.
How To Keep Your Patio Furniture Looking Like New
Use our tips and tricks to ensure your lawn furniture keeps that "like new" look year after year.
Why You Need To Clean Your Outdoor Furniture
Regular care and maintenance on outdoor furniture is a good idea for multiple reasons.
It's cost-effective. Well-kept furniture will last longer, so you'll save money when you don't have to replace it as often.
It prevents injury and accidents. Neglected furniture doesn't just get dirty; its durability is also compromised. This increases the risk of it breaking when weight is added.
How Often Should You Clean Your Outdoor Furniture?
This depends on how much you use your outdoor area and the local climate. If you live on the coast and host alfresco family gatherings multiple times per month, weekly care and a deep cleaning session at the beginning and end of the season is a good idea. But if you don't use your furniture as often and live in a mild climate, a quick wipe-down before company stops by and one deep cleaning session at the start of the season will do the trick.
How to Clean Less Often
With these preventive measures, you can spend less time cleaning and more time lounging.
- Store outdoor furniture and cushions in your shed or garage when you aren't using them.
- Invest in durable covers that you can put over your furniture when it's not in use.
- If possible, keep furniture and cushions out of direct sunlight to reduce fading caused by sun exposure.
- Spray outdoor cushions and umbrellas with fabric protectant that repels water, stains, and mildew.
- Protect aluminum deck furniture from the elements with a coat of car wax, exterior paint, or a silicone spray like WD-40.
- It's always best to follow the manufacturer's care instructions, which are the results of thorough research and testing. Other methods may cause damage or lead to additional cleaning.
FAQs
What is the easiest way to clean outdoor furniture?
Quickly clean your outdoor furniture in 4 easy steps.
- Mix mild dish soap and warm water in a bucket.
- Scrub the soapy solution onto the surfaces using a washcloth or soft-bristled brush.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Let your furniture air-dry.
What is the best cleaner for patio furniture?
The best cleaner for patio furniture is mild dish soap. It's safe to use on various materials, inexpensive, and easy to find online or at your local grocer.
How do you clean fabric outdoor chairs?
Follow these steps to clean the fabric on your outdoor chairs:
- Pour distilled white vinegar into a plastic spray bottle.
- Spritz the material and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Scrub the areas with a soft-bristle brush.
- Thoroughly rinse the fabric and let it air-dry.
How can I make my patio furniture look new?
Make patio furniture material look good as new with these tips.
- Clean your furniture regularly with mild dish soap, water, and a soft-bristle brush.
- Use touch-up paint on aluminum to cover any chips or scratches in the finish.
- Refresh your furniture’s look by adding new seat cushions and throw pillows.
- Condition natural wicker fibers with a thin coat of lemon oil every few months.
- Add a fresh coat of paint or stain to wooden furniture.
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