10 Tips for Cleaning and Caring for Your Outdoor Furniture

Now that summer is here, it is time for backyard barbecues, picnics, and unexpected dinners. Cleaning products can make your furniture look new. We always recommend cleaning your outdoor furniture at least once a year, more often if many people use it, especially in the warmer months.

Here are 10 pointers to get you started on how to keep your outdoor furniture looking great and help make sure everyone has an enjoyable time using it:

Preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your furniture in top shape. Even if you don't have very much dirt built up, it's still a good idea to rinse it occasionally to prevent mildew and dirt from becoming embedded.

Bacteria and mold can creep into the cracks between the pieces of furniture and cause them to decompose. Usually, all you need is a mild cleaning spray and a wipe down with water using a paper towel or rag on outdoor furniture wood pieces.

Furthermore, clean any dry food and drink spills immediately, as it will take much longer to clean if you allow the dirt to sit there.

Use products that are designed specifically for things like outdoor furniture. Follow the manufacturer's directions precisely when using any product, and test those products on a small area before proceeding with a more extensive cleaning job.

The easiest way to clean concrete is with a pressure washer. When cleaning concrete, removing any mold and mildew first is essential. Otherwise, the mold spores can spread elsewhere on the concrete. Regularly scrubbing will also remove grime and keep it looking its best. You can mix bleach and water or a chlorine bleach product.

Use a soft-bristled brush to get into all of the nooks and crannies. The brush that you use will depend on the material your furniture is made off. Metal furniture can stand up to a wire brush, but avoid wire brushes on resin and plastic furniture. Wire brushes will quickly scratch the surface and reduce its lifespan.

Wicker furniture can be difficult to clean because of its complex construction. What works for one piece might not work for another, and even if you find an effective cleaning method, it may affect the wicker's appearance and feel. To clean wicker furniture, you need a specific type of disinfectant for wicker, hot water, and plenty of elbow grease.

The best washing products for cleaning wicker include bleach and commercial-grade products, which come in aerosol cans.

If you have removable cushions, remove the cover and hand-wash it in cold water with detergent and let them air dry. If you don't remove the cushions, you can use a steam cleaner to sanitize the cushion material that covers the frame. Furthermore, you can shake the dust off cushions for outdoor furniture. 

Resins are generally treated with a chemical that makes them look beautiful and resistant to the elements. But they're also harder to clean and dry completely, which makes them susceptible to mold and mildew.

It's also essential to ensure they dry completely after cleaning because they're on the slowest drying time for furniture. If you have furniture in resins, ensure you know how long that maintenance lasts so you don't have a problem once it's too late.

If you use a lot of furniture, you will want to keep it covered in the wintertime. A good outdoor furniture cover such as a canopy is an excellent way to protect your furniture from rain and snow, but be sure not to let them get too hot when left on during the day or else they can melt and warp your furniture into an unrecognizable shape.

In the warm months, your furniture will get a lot of heat. It's essential to have an umbrella or patio furniture cover over it to prevent fading and damage. Furthermore, aesthetically appealing covers for outdoor furniture will complement your patio.

Ensure everything is clean and dry before putting it away to avoid mildew and mold. Label everything so you don't have to think about where it goes. And if you only have one couch, make sure you have a storage area for it separately, as these pieces of furniture tend to attract a lot of dirt if they're in the same room.

You can also use outdoor furniture covers to prevent pets from chewing on the furniture.

Use a silicone-based furniture polish to maintain your outdoor furniture's finishes. It is more durable than other polishes because it forms a protective shield on the surface of your outdoor furniture, which in turn helps repel dirt and stains so you can clean with less effort.

Sitting on your porch or deck in the summertime is fun. However, your furniture will get dirty, so you must clean it regularly and keep it covered when you have people over or are concerned about the weather. At Mark and Day, we pride ourselves on providing better quality outdoor furniture than other outdoor furniture stores.

Our modern outdoor furniture pieces, such as the Wolfsthal charcoal, are affordable and comfy. If you have questions about cleaning your outdoor furniture or looking for a new patio set, new outdoor area rug, or new outdoor-safe poufs please call us for our outdoor furniture sale offers.

We'll be happy to help you find the right outdoor furniture on sale for your home or business and show you how to take care of them so they last for years.