Garden Decor

Home tips to clean patio furniture – with vinegar or other materials

Patio furniture is garden furniture. It is used for outdoor usage. It is made with special materials which are weather resistant. It is mostly made with aluminum because this material is rustproof. But there are also different kinds of materials that are used in patio furniture such as wood, metal, plastics, and synthetic fabrics.

Cedar, teak, and eucalyptus woods are used in wooden patio furniture.

Aluminum, steel, and wrought iron are the materials that are used in metal patio furniture.

Some general techniques to clean furniture articles

Cleaning patio furniture with vinegar

The most popular method to clean any patio furniture is vinegar and warm water solution. 

  • Mix one cup of white vinegar and a gallon of warm water. 
  • Apply the solution to the furniture and leave it for a few minutes. 
  • Scrub it with a soft brush. 
  • Rinse it in clean water. 

Vinegar is a natural cleaner due to its acidic properties.

Cleaning patio furniture with detergent

Warm water and detergent solution is also a great way to clean the outdoor furniture at home. 

  • Make a solution of ⅓ part of the detergent in a bucket of warm water. 
  • Pour the solution on the stains and gently scrub it with a soft rag. 
  • Wash the detergent completely to avoid any damage to the furniture, before use dries it in the open air or sunlight.

Cleaning the outdoor furniture with bleach

Mix any disinfectant bleach in 1 gallon of water to make a cleaning solution. Apply it with a brush or sponge. Stubborn soiled surfaces need a lot of scrubbing. Wear gloves on your hands to avoid skin damage before touching the bleach.

Ways to clean wood and wicker outdoor furniture

Wooden outdoor furniture

Hardwood is typically used to make outdoor furniture. They have natural strength and heavy density. Go for Teak and Ipe for your outdoor wooden furniture. They are incredibly durable and rot-resistant. They have long-life durability for outdoor activities.

Wicker outdoor furniture

Wicker is a famous material that is used in outdoor patio furniture. But this material is not as durable as hardwood or aluminum furniture. 

Wicker can add beauty to your lawn and garden but it can not hold up with the poor weather conditions.

Soft drizzle is fine for it but heavy rain can damage the wicker furniture. Wet wicker furniture can also get mildew and mold. It can create odors and cause deterioration.

Cleaning wood and wicker furniture with vinegar and warm water

Make a DIY solution to clean the patio furniture. Take 1 part of warm water, ¼ cup of ammonia, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of white vinegar. Use the same cleaning method with a soft brush or rag. You can also use industrial products to clean the patio furniture.

Cleaning tips for patio furniture with lemon juice, olive oil, and Apple Cider vinegar

First of all, you have to make sure your furniture is dust-free. Dust it thoroughly to clean the excess dirt and dust. 

  • Make a solution of 2 parts of olive oil, 2 parts of apple cider vinegar, and 1 part of lemon juice. 
  • Mix it well before use. 
  • Take a clean microfiber cloth and dip a corner of the cloth into the solution. 
  • Lightly rub it on the surface of the furniture. It will not only clean the stain but also polish the furniture and make it shiny. 

Aside from cleaning the furniture, you can also clean the patio to get rid of unwanted fly invasion with this article How To Get Rid Of Flies On My Patio. DIY Tips And Other Options.

Choose a sunny day to do this job. Sunlight makes it easy to polish the furniture with olive oil. Olive Oil gives a shiny look to the furniture and prevents it from drying and cracking.

Apple cider vinegar is a great ingredient to take off the grime and dust from the furniture.

Olive oil and white vinegar to clean the patio furniture

Take a bowl and mix half a cup of white vinegar and a half cup of olive oil in it. Use a soft microfiber cloth and clean all the furniture with it. It is just a simple method to maintain the quality of the furniture.

Lemon juice, baking soda, water, and white vinegar to clean the outdoor furniture

For a powerful homemade cleaner, mix vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and warm water. Let the solution sit for a few minutes. After infusion of baking soda, spray the solution on the furniture and wipe it with a soft rag.

Be careful with the solution. Make sure to clean the solution completely because baking soda can leave stains on the wood furniture due to its acidic properties.

Commercial wood cleaner

There is a lot of cleaning products in the market for wooden furniture. Some products are oil-based solutions. Some are wipes and some are in spray bottles.

Spray cleaners

Spray wood cleaners give an easy and fast gloss on any surface. It includes wood, leather, stainless, or granite. Spray cleaners also contain a refreshing scent to make the house pleasant.

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Wipe cleaners

Wipes cleaners are also a great product to clean wooden furniture. It is an efficient way to clean the furniture. Just simply shake the container before use. Pull out a wipe and clean the surface gently. It not just clean the surface but also polishes it. Wipes are also anti-bacterial and disinfect your furniture. Follow the instructions written on the product for a better result.

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Oil cleaners

Oil soaps can be used on wooden or non-wooden surfaces. This product maintains the shine of the surface all the time. It is best for wood cleaning and polishing. It naturally keeps the wood’s beauty.

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Ways to Clean the furniture to stop fading

Avoid sunlight and direct heat

Fading of the furniture is often caused by the sunlight. 

The ultraviolet rays of the sun damage the furniture and make it fade and dull. 

You should avoid putting the furniture under the sunlight or near the windows.

If you do not have a large space and you have to put the furniture near the window then you should apply some sort of window film or blinds. Blinds and films are the best way to stop the sunlight from entering the room. 

Need more information about taking care of your outdoor furniture in general, this article would surely help Useful tips to take care of your outdoor furniture 

Wipe the furniture more often

Grimm and dirt can fade away the shine of wooden furniture. You should clean the surface properly. For stubborn dust, use a damp cloth to wipe off the dirt.

Using a small number of cleaning products

a large number of cleaning products can damage the wooden surface. Use an ample amount of the products to clean the furniture. 

Commercial cleaning products contain chemicals and toxins which can harm the wood surface. 

So it is better to use the cleaners carefully. Make your outdoors even more attractive and alive by adding an outdoor fountain, get all the needed information with this article Your Queries for an outdoor fountain

Apply varnish on the furniture once a year

You should apply a new varnish coat every year to keep the furniture shiny and new. The old coat of the varnish can be damaged can it can make the furniture fade and dull. A new varnish coat brings back the gloss of the furniture and keeps it new for a long time.

Use the right cloth to dust and clean the furniture

For dusting and cleaning, use a soft and lightweight cloth. Harsh and heavy cloth can make scratches on the surface and it will lose its shine. Microfiber cloth is best for dusting and wiping the surface.

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How to clean rattan patio furniture? 

Rattan furniture is created with rattan vines. Vines are woven together to make outdoor furniture. It is primarily used in the summer weather.

●    Rattan patio furniture does not have an even surface. They are woven vines that are not easy to simply wipe away the dirt and dust. You have to use a brush or handheld vacuum to clean the dust.

●      Use some stick or toothbrush to remove the stubborn soil.

●      Make a solution of soap and warm water to clean it properly.

●       Clean the rattan with vinegar and warm water to prevent algae growth.

●       Make the rattan furniture completely dry the sunlight to avoid odors.

●      Use water and bleach solution to clean the rattan furniture. It prevents spore growth and helps to get rid of the smells.it also removes the mildew stains.

Ways to clean the wrought iron outdoor furniture

Wrought iron furniture became a popular outdoor furniture material. Its grains are similar to wood. It is perfect to be used as outdoor furniture because it is durable and has an attractive look. If the wrought iron furniture is not maintained properly, it begins to rust and scramble.

Homemade cleaner

To take care of your outdoor wrought iron furniture, clean it often to keep it rust-free and safe. For a simple cleaning mix water and dish soap and scrub the surface with a scrubbing brush or toothbrush. Rinse it with clear water.

Sandpaper and wire brush

Use a sandpaper or wire brush to remove the rust.  Wrought iron furniture often gets rusty. Remove the rust from the surface immediately. Rust can destroy the iron and make it nasty. It makes the furniture smelly.

Wax product

To make your wrought iron furniture shiny, use a specially prepared wax product. Apply it with a small piece of cloth in a circular motion. Let it dry completely and polish the surface with the reverse of the cloth. 

Want to decorate your outdoors more? These are some of the ideas you can try Ideas to Cover and Decorate Your Patio

Pressure washing

Pressure washing is another way to clean the wrought iron. Washing the surface with high pressure of water blast can also remove the rust out of it.

How to clean cast iron outdoor furniture?

Cast iron is also durable and heavy material used for outdoor patio furniture. Cast iron furniture is made with melted iron that is poured into a mold. 

Get rid of unwanted algae from your outdoor furniture with this article, (it hasn’t been posted on the website yet

The cast iron has a painted surface and it is easy to clean rather than wrought iron furniture. 

  • You can simply wash it with warm water and dish soap solution. 
  • You do not have to scrub it with a wire brush and sandpaper.
  • Gently clean the surface of cast iron furniture with a soft cloth or sponge. 
  • Clean it with plain water. 
  • Wipe the excess liquid with a clean cloth to bring shine to the painted surface.

How to clean the plastic patio furniture

With vinegar and warm water

Use a simple mixture of warm water and whiter vinegar to clean the colored plastic furniture. It is better not to use bleach or any other acids. They will destroy the material. Dip the cloth on the vinegar solution and clean the furniture thoroughly.

Daily cleaning

Clean the plastic furniture daily like dusting and wiping it with a damp cloth to keep it new and better.

Keep away from direct sunlight

Keep the plastic patio furniture away from sunlight. The ultraviolet rays of the sun will fade away the color of the furniture. It is better to put the plastic furniture in shady areas or cover it with a cloth or sheet.

How to clean outdoor fabric cushions?

Factors that cause damage to the patio cushions

Leaving patio cushions outdoors for a long period can damage your cushion. You can leave your cushion in mild light weather for a short period. 

  • Daily sunlight, morning dew, and rain damage the cushions. 
  • Animals are also a factor that destroys the patio cushions. 
  • Moisture can cause the growth of mildew and mold on the cushion. It can cause allergies, migraine, and breathing problems. 

To avoid all these factors, put your patio cushion inside of your house. Or at the safe height or spot from the reach of pets. To take care of moisture, use moisture repellent spray. 

Cleaning patio cushions with bleach and detergent

To clean the patio cushions, take ¼ cup of detergent, 1 cup of bleach, and 1 gallon of water. Mix all the ingredients well and make a solution. Spray it all over the cushions and let the fabric soak it. Use a soft brush and scrub the stains gently.

Clean it with a clean song or towel.

Simply wash it in the washing machine

You can also wash the patio cushion cover in a washer.  But you should avoid using bleach in the washing machine. you should wash the patio cushions at least once a year.

Experts’ Advice 

Making your outdoor and more beautiful and accommodating is your responsibility if you happen to have an outdoor area or a patio. You can do so much to that area, decorate it amazingly and just enjoy either party there, snuggle up with your loved one or just relax on your own. The efforts you put up in taking care of outdoor and patio furniture would be worth their amazing every time you enjoy a party or a celebration hosted on your patio. So let’s make your patio furniture shine and host as many outdoor activities as you like. 

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