How To Clean Plastic Patio Furniture

August 31, 2022

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How To Clean Outdoor Furniture

How to Rejuvenate Plastic Patio Furniture

No matter how careful you are, something is bound to spill on your patio furniture. Maybe someone drops guacamole on the cushions of your sectional deck sofa or tips over a glass wine onto the dining table in your screened-in porch. Suntan lotion is bound to get wiped onto poolside sunloungers at some point, and those are just of few of the ways people can muck up your pristine outdoor setting. Mother nature has plenty of tactics too. Wind, rain, sun, trees, bugs, birds, critters and many more things can dirty up and damage your furniture if you dont take preventative steps and clean it regularly. But woods, metals and plastics all need to be attended to a little differently.

Dos And Donts When Cleaning Oxidized Plastic Patio Chairs

There isnt really much to do when cleaning oxidized plastics besides the few instructions weve already given.

In addition to the methods weve already discussed, you can also paint the furniture as a way to give it a completely new look and appearance. This gives you a good chance to give the chair a new personality that you like.

Use specialized paints for this purpose. Some good examples are Krylon and Rust-Oleum. You can get these at a big local store, or you can buy them online from Amazon.

Also, make sure you wear protective gear before carrying out any method, especially when a chemical like bleach is involved. Contact with bleach can cause skin irritations.

So make sure you have your gloves on, as well as masks and eyeglasses. It would also be nice if you can get your hands on some good work clothes, though not necessary.

How To Clean Plastic Mesh Patio Furniture

What is Required

Washing powder

Step 1

Just like the fabric mesh use a soft bristle brush to scrub the debris/small stones and dirt. Use a toothbrush in small corners or tight spaces.

Step 2

Take a bucket of warm water and add one full cup of washing powder and also add six tablespoons of oxygen bleach . Make sure it has mixed well.

Step 3

Get a piece of a soft cloth and dip it in the solution. Staring with the front view, wipe it gently, and then repeat the procedure on the backside.

Step 4

Get a gallon of warm water and use it to rinse the furniture. Wash off the soap and use a dry towel to remove water droplets from the furniture. Allow the furniture to dry under the shade.

Fabrics Caring For Outdoor Textiles

In the past, patio furniture was designed for a simple backyard barbecue with a Weber grill or an afternoon catching some rays by the pool. Most seating was casual and either folded or featured rubbery straps. Fabrication advances, coupled with a trend toward holistic architecture, has led to more elegant and upholstered pieces that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. These dining chairs, patio sectional sofas and lounge chairs feature modern designs with high-tech textiles that are durable under a variety of conditions. While most require very little attention, there are a few tips that can keep them in tip-top shape.

Synthetic Mesh

Most high-quality patio sling furniture is made from PVC coated polyester mesh. This strong synthetic textile is stretch and tear-resistant as well as relatively easy to clean . The resin coating protects the woven fibers from damage and fading from the sun and weather, while the perforations in the weave allow the material to dry quickly. Serge Ferraris Batyline and Twitchells Textilene are two sling fabrics that are popular with high-end outdoor brands. Clean sling pool furniture every three months to prevent mold and mildew from growing.

Leave the slings on their frames when cleaning

Remove any dirt or other organic debris of the surface with a cloth or whisk broom

Add mild dish soap to lukewarm water

Wash the mesh directly with a sponge or microfiber cloth

Dont forget to clean the bottoms and backs of the slings too

How To Clean Chalky Plastic White Chairs

How To Clean White Plastic Garden Chairs

If your plastic lawn furniture is getting that chalky finish that suggests its almost at the end of its life, its pretty disheartening if you arent in the position to simply buy new ones. But the good news is that you dont have to! While it will take some arm muscle and some time, you CAN get that chalky finish to go away.

Whatever you do, dont go for the steel wool or scouring powder if you dont want to scratch up your chairs for good.

Instead, get out the baking soda and a bit of car wax. First, wet down the chair with a soft wet sponge. Liberally sprinkle baking soda all over it and rub the wet baking soda/water mix all over the chair. You may find it easiest to sprinkle baking soda on the wet sponge before rubbing down the chair either way, the baking soda paste will work some magic on the chalky finish. A good water rinse job, towel dry, and then a dab of car wax rubbed in with a soft cloth will seal the plastic again and youll be amazed at how youve prolonged the life of your furniture!

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Tips For Teak Wood Or Wicker Furniture

Although using a power washer is fine for plastic furniture, it is not recommended for patio furniture made of teak, wicker or other types of wood such as ipe, acacia, pine or mango, says Feldman. The high pressure can scar or damage the wood surfaces, or potentially tear apart a wicker weave.

Sweep away any caked-on dirt with a soft plastic scrub brush.
To clean wood furniture, use a mild oil soap formulated for wood, or soapy water and a soft brush or cloth to remove dirt and grime. Quickly wipe up excess water. You can use a toothbrush to get deeper into the weave of wicker to loosen built-up dirt in the crevices, says Feldman.
For porous weaves, such as true wicker made with rattan, bamboo, willow or other natural fibers, dont saturate the furniture with water. Instead, wipe it down with a damp cloth.
After its cleaned, seal teak, oak and eucalyptus patio furniture with a lightweight wood sealant.
Tropical hardwoods, such as shorea or ipe, should be oiled rather than sealed.

General Cleaning Method For Dirty Plastics

Carry the chairs and tables out to an open space with concrete below. Its best to avoid cleaning your patio furniture over grass because any chemicals present in the cleaner can harm or kill the roots. Start by wiping each piece with a cloth to remove dust and loose dirt.

Make a sudsy solution by adding half a cup of liquid dish soap to two-three liters of water. Clean one piece of furniture at a time by wetting it with plain water before you start scrubbing. You could use a garden hose for that. Next, dip a non-abrasive scrubber in the soapy solution and clean the piece by giving it a good scrubbing. Rinse out the scrubber at intervals or use fresh ones as and when needed.

Move on to the next piece and clean all your white, plastic furniture in the same way. Make a fresh cleaning solution if the water looks dirty to you.

Once youve scrubbed each furniture piece, rinse off the soap from your patio chairs and tables. Dampen a clean, soft cloth with plain water to wipe any areas where some of the cleaners may have dried up and left soap residue.

Leave your white, plastic lawn furniture to dry, and your job is done!

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How To Clean Teak Patio Furniture

Teak wood is an ideal material for your patio furniture because it is durable and doesnt take much in the way of cleaning and maintenance. Teak patio furniture will either be treated with teak oil or finely sanded to show off its natural form. Even though teak is naturally resistant to rot and mold, if not properly cleaned, mildew can still form on the surface of the furniture.

1 gallon of warm water

To prevent your teak patio furniture from becoming discolored and succumbing to mildew build-up, make sure you are cleaning it on a regular basis. The following tips are based on one of our natural homemade deck cleaner recipes and will provide you with ways to keep your teak furniture looking like new.

Teak Furniture Cleaning Recipe #2

1 cup vinegar
1 gallon of warm water

Use one of two easy homemade cleaning solutions either vinegar and warm water, or chlorine bleach, laundry detergent, and warm water. Apply the homemade cleaning solution to the furniture using a soft plastic brush, making sure to scrub the wood as you go.

Avoid using a metal brush as it will damage the woods surface. Remove water stains from wood before cleaning. Allow the mixture to sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water.

If your teak furniture has seen a lot of exposure to the elements, youll want to look for a more aggressive, store-bought solution to clean the pieces. After cleaning, you may want to make furniture polish to bring back the shine to your teak furniture.

Warm Water And Liquid Dish Soap

How To Clean Plastic Lawn Furniture

If a simple wipe down isnt good enough to get your furniture nice and clean, consider this inexpensive option. Add 3 or 4 squirts of dish soap to a few liters of warm water. This mixture can be used to give the furniture a good clean.

You can use a cloth to clean the chairs, or if the stains are tough, use a sponge. It will help remove the more stubborn stains. You may have to scrub a little bit. If the grime doesnt come off immediately, apply the water and soap mixture, and let it soak for a few minutes. Then simply wash off the dirt with your sponge or cloth.

Dont forget to rinse your chairs, or theyll end up feeling sticky, and youll find dirt and dust getting trapped once again.

Outdoor Pest Control Protect Your Furniture From Insects Birds & Rodents

In addition to exposure to the elements, patio furniture can be damaged or marred by small living creatures. Gardens, backyards and other outdoor spaces teem with bugs, fowl and little furry critters looking for sustenance and shelter. Safeguarding your outdoor lounge and dining sets against these pests not only improves the furnishings longevity but their aesthetic appeal as well.

General maintenance steps such as keeping items clean and covered when not in use help thwart these bothersome creatures. Additionally, keeping the area free from garbage, food remnants and standing water will make your space less attractive to them. However, there are some solutions to combat specific types of pests.

Insects

Patios provide many places for bugs to nest or inhabit. Crawling and biting insects are especially attracted to nooks and crevices found in outdoor wicker chairs, tables and sofas. Additionally, lights that generate heat draw a variety of flying insects that can sting or simply be a nuisance to you and your guests.

Birds

While the light chirping of our finely feathered friends may add to the pastoral ambiance of your backyard or patio space, they can also be quite annoying, troublesome and cause potential damage to your outdoor furnishings. Thankfully, there are quite a few ways to keep them from ruining your next barbecue or casual get-together.

Rodents

Polishing With Baking Soda

Once youve cleaned and prepared the chair for restoration, you can start the treatment with baking soda.

As this does require a substantial amount, make sure you have an adequate supply in stock, especially if youre going to treat several pieces of furniture.

Spread baking soda on the oxidized areas. Sprinkle the baking soda, generously, over all areas of the chair that need treating.

Create a paste. Using a damp sponge, apply it to the baking soda to create a paste, which you can then proceed to rub into the oxidized areas. Keep adding the baking soda until the whole chair is covered in the paste.

Let it sit. Leave it for about 10 minutes to work, and then rinse off thoroughly.

Dry your chair. Completely dry the item with an old towel or air dry it, ensuring its not in direct sunlight.

Apply car wax. Finally to restore the new look to your Polywood furniture, use a clean rag to give it a quick treatment with car wax. Let this dry for 5-10 minutes, then polish to a shiny finish.

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How To Restore Sun Faded Plastic Outdoor Furniture

Any plastic furniture you leave outdoors for extended periods starts to look faded eventually. Over time, chalky patches may start appearing on its surface. This can be disconcerting, especially if the furniture looked great at first. While you may readily consider replacement as the solution, it isnt the best. What you need is to know how to restore sun faded plastic outdoor furniture.

You can make your plastic outdoor furniture look new again using baking soda and car wax or using a heat gun. Alternatively, you can restore the plastic seats with a plastic rejuvenator, WD-40, spray paint, or Vaseline.

Is Plastic Furniture Good For Outdoor Use

When it comes to being used outside, plastic or resin furniture each have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. It can be very challenging to clean white plastic patio chairs and tables, especially if they have become discolored with old bird dung, pine pollen, or any number of other natural things.

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How To Clean Plastic Patio Furniture With Bleach

Clean away dirt, debris, and dried stains with the power of bleach and a little elbow grease. Bleach works well for cleaning plastic outdoor furniture, especially if its white.

Garden hose

Fill a bucket with hot water and then add the bleach. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and dunk the brush into the cleaning solution. Scrub the furniture starting from the top and work your way down using circular motions.

Allow the bleach solution to sit on the plastic for a few minutes before rinsing it with clean water from a garden hose. Set the furniture in the sun to air dry.

Mr Clean Magic Eraser

It’s not called “magic” for nothing. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can rid just about any item of nasty stains and spills. The affordable cleaning tool works wonders on plastic deck chairs regardless of their size or color.

Materials

Instructions

Spray the soiled chairs with water from a garden hose.

Moisten the Magic Eraser with water, then scrub the chair with strong, circular motions. The Magic Eraser lifts grime, dirt, dead insects, bird poop and mold from plastic chairs with a little elbow grease.

Finish by rinsing the chairs with clean water and allowing them to dry in the sun.

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Cleaning Plastic Outdoor Furniture

Well show you how to clean plastic patio furniture using mild cleansers such as white vinegar, dishwashing soap, and baking soda to remove mildew, grime, and tough stains.

While the furniture is off the deck, its a great time to use a homemade deck cleaning solution to get rid of the grime that has accumulated on the deck, too.

Get A Patio Chair Cover

Cleaning mold and mildew off plastic patio furniture.

The best way to protect your chairs from oxidizing is to keep them out of the sun. Now, I know thats not always possible, so I recommend getting some patio chair covers or cushions.

PATIO CHAIR COVER: Fits most standard patio chairs up…
WEATHER-RESISTANT COVER: Heavy-duty, polyester material…
DURABLE & SECURE FIT: Tire closures help provide you a…
HOME DÉCOR: Khaki color blends with most home…

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Apply The Oxygen Bleach Solution

Wearing rubber gloves, use a sponge or soft-bristled nylon brush to apply the oxygen bleach solution. Start at the top and use some elbow grease to help lift embedded soil.

Allow the solution to remain on the chairs for at least 15 minutes to help whiten the plastics. Leaving it longer will not harm the chairs.

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Stubborn Stain Cleaning Instructions

Use this recipe to restore your white plastic chairs to their original brilliance.

Materials

Instructions

Combine 1/4-cup of regular household bleach in a large bucket with warm water.

Slide on a pair of rubber gloves and then dip a scrub brush into the hot cleaning solution.

Scrub the chairs with the solution making sure you wipe away any bird droppings that may have settled in the chair’s seams.

Allow the solution to sit on the chairs for a few minutes, then rinse them down with clean water from a garden hose.

Dry the chairs with a cloth or place them in the sun to dry.

Note: Whenever you use bleach to clean plastic deck chairs, it is vital to spot test the solution before disinfecting. Bleach can stain coloured deck chairs. It can also cause yellowing on white plastic deck chairs if it is left on for more than 10 minutes. Never apply straight bleach on white plastic deck chairs. Also, when cleaning with bleach, be sure to protect your hands with gloves and wear old clothes in case of accidental spills.Remember that plastic deck chairs are not the highest quality patio furniture on the market.

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Have A Cleaning Timetable

Even though plastic outdoor furnishings are designed to last, they will rarely live through lifespan if not properly maintained. So, in addition to minimizing sun exposure or using an outdoor cover, make sure to practice regular cleaning.

This can be done once or twice a week, or at least once a month if you dont have enough time. Just make sure youre consistent. You can use your laundry soap for normal cleaning. To remove mold, you will also need a vinegar solution.

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