4 Top Tips for Cleaning Garden Furniture

Written by Posted On Tuesday, 04 February 2020 13:11

While built to withstand the elements outdoors, your garden and patio furniture also need a little TLC.

However, your cleaning routine for your indoor furniture might not be strong enough for the grime, dirt, and dust that stick to your garden sofas, tables, and chairs.

So if you want to make an impression on your next backyard barbeque, here are four top tips on how to clean your garden furniture.

Use a Sugar and Soap Mixture for Wooden Furniture

If you have wooden garden furniture sugar soap can restore it back to how it looked the day you bought it.

Many furniture restoration experts prefer to use sugar soap because it doesn’t contain bleach or chlorine that can damage the surface of your wooden garden furniture.

To clean your wooden garden furniture:

• Use a cleaning cloth to remove any debris, dirt, and dust for a quick clean.
• Mix about 1/8 cup liquid sugar soap into 2 liters of water. Adjust the amount depending on the size or amount of furniture you're going to clean.
• You can use a spray bottle to apply the solution or straight from the bucket with a sponge or cleaning cloth. Just make sure to wear gloves to protect your hands.
• Rinse immediately. Leaving the sugar soap solution too long can cause damage to the wood's surface.

Use Dishwashing Detergent on Rattan Furniture

First, don’t confuse rattan with wicker. Rattan is a material from a close relative of the palm tree. Conversely, wicker is a technique used by manufacturers to create items like rattan furniture. 

This eco-friendly material can still gather dust, dirt, mold, and mildew over time. Improper cleaning habits may lead to rattan to deteriorate faster than intended.

You can use dishwashing detergent to remove the dirty substances sticking on the surface of rattan items.

To clean your rattan garden furniture:

• Start by filling a water with water, then add a few drops of your preferred detergent.
• Next, dip a soft, clean cloth into the bubbles of the detergent. It’s critical that you don’t dip the cloth in the water as the extra moisture might make the rattan rot.
• Spread the bubbles on the rattan as much as you can with a toothbrush. 

But, if you see cracked, dry, or split rattan, then it’s a different process to restore the material. 

• Use linseed oil with a toothbrush instead of dishwashing detergent.
• Let the oil sit for a few minutes before cleaning it off with a clean cloth. 

Maintain the beauty and cleanliness of your rattan garden furniture by using this method at least once a week. 

Use White Vinegar for Metal Furniture

Metal garden furniture is an investment. That being said,  it’s an investment well-spent because it’s durabile, versatile, and low-maintenance.

While metal patio furniture made from cast aluminum is rust-proof, wrought iron can be vulnerable to oxidation.

Oxidation damage can be hard to reverse if not attended to immediately. So it’s best if you deal with the situation as quickly as possible once rust starts to form. 

To clean your metal garden furniture:

• Give your furniture a quick clean. Make sure to remove all dust and debris from the surface as well as all the nooks and crannies.
• Apply a metal polishing paste to cover all surface imperfections. If not available, you can substitute a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water.
• Use a soft cloth with a nonabrasive cleaning product to remove scratch marks.
• Give the surface a quick sanding using fine sandpaper before painting with a rust-proof paint.
• For added protection, apply a coat or two of car wax.

Use Bleach for Plastic and Resin Furniture

Many homeowners prefer plastic and resin furniture because it’s durable, portable, and is able to withstand most weather conditions effectively. 

Properly maintaining your plastic and resin furniture, especially if you’re planning to sell the property, has the potential to increase it’s curb value.

To clean your plastic and resin furniture:

• For most cases, a water and detergent mix plus a little elbow grease is enough to keep it clean.
• You can add bleach to your cleaning solution to remove more stubborn stains. But if your furniture is colored plastic, keep the bleach to a minimum to keep the color vibrant.
• Once dry,you can apply a light coat of car wax for that water-repelling shine.

Your patio is an extension of your home. Use these four tips to keep your garden and patio furniture in tip-top shape.

Not only does it make a good impression among your neighbors and guests, but to potential buyers as well (if selling).

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