Fast & Free Ways to Clean Outdoor Furniture
You’re hosting a backyard BBQ this weekend, and your spice rub is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. It seems like everything will go off without a hitch — and yet there’s one important detail you may have forgotten to consider. The backyard is a total mess!
Try these DIY ideas for cleaning patio furniture before your next backyard bash.
Outdoor Furniture Cleaner DIY Ideas
Can’t remember the last time you cleaned your outdoor furniture? There are many tried and true (and do-it-yourself) methods for sprucing up your patio set. Here are some of the best ways to clean on a budget while still achieving amazing results.
How to Clean Wood Outdoor Furniture
If your wood furniture needs a little TLC, there are a few different routes you can take. For a light cleaning, use mild dish soap with a bit of warm water. Moisten a cloth with this mixture, wipe down your table and chairs, and watch the dirt melt away.
When you have aggressive grime, you’re better off using a soft brush and some diluted dishwasher detergent or oxygenated bleach. Or, if you’d prefer a gentler cleaning solution, ½ cup white vinegar mixed with ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil can work wonders on wood, as well.
Another option for those with wicker furniture is to grab a garden hose. Place the setting on medium pressure, and blast away any dirt hiding between those tricky cracks and crevices. With this quick and efficient approach, your guests will believe you’ve spent all day making your furniture shine.
How to Clean Metal Outdoor Furniture
Metal is a popular choice for outdoor furniture thanks to its incredible durability and ease of maintenance. If you have metal pieces — like wrought iron furniture — you can make them look ‘like new’ with a sponge or scrub brush and some mild dish soap (plus water).
Alternatively, if you’re dealing with rust, you can use steel wool to buff out the furniture in question. Just grab a handful of steel wool and move it in small, circular motions over each patch of rust. This will clean things up in a snap without causing damage to your furniture.
How to Clean Plastic Outdoor Furniture
Plastic patio furniture might be one of the easiest materials to clean. To make a great DIY outdoor furniture cleaner, mix a ½ cup of baking soda with one gallon of warm water. Simply fill a spray bottle with this concoction and apply it to every surface. Use a rag or cloth to wipe everything down, and then watch as it glistens in the sun.
A second option for plastic furniture is to use ¼ cup of white vinegar and one quart of warm water. This works exceptionally well for colored plastic, as does a sprinkle of baking soda on a wet sponge. Either way, it’s in your best interest to avoid abrasive cleaners and/or bleach substances; chemicals like these tend to eat away at plastic.
How to Clean Glass Outdoor Furniture
Glass patio tables make a beautiful focal point in backyard setups. To keep your table looking shiny and streak-free, spray the surface with white vinegar or a conventional glass cleaner (if you have some lying around at home). Once the glass is wet, use a clean, microfiber cloth to wipe away excess dirt and stuck-on smudges.
Keep in mind, the best way to protect your glass furniture is by placing a cover over it when not in use. An outdoor furniture cover keeps glass from collecting grime and makes your job a lot easier when hosting guests on the patio.
How to Clean Outdoor Furniture Cushions
Outdoor cushions can really up the cozy factor of your furniture — but they’ll also require a bit more upkeep. Some outdoor cushions have removable covers you can toss in the washing machine. Follow the manufacturer’s washing instructions, and then allow for a few hours of air drying before you put the covers back on.
When your cushion covers aren’t removable, you can give them a quick refresh with a DIY cleaning solution and your garden hose. First, lay the cushions out on your patio where they can’t pick up any new stains. Next, mix one tablespoon of dish detergent with ¼ cup Borax in a small bucket of water.
Dip a scrub brush in your bucket and scour the front and back of each cushion, concentrating on areas with obvious stains. Let that solution soak in for about five minutes, and then use your garden hose (on medium pressure) to give things a good rinse. Finally, squeeze out the excess water and prop up the cushions in a sunny spot where they can finish air drying.
Refresh your Patio Furniture with Rent-A-Center
If you’ve followed our suggestions but DIY cleaning just isn’t cutting it, it might be time to invest in a new outdoor set. Many nearby Rent-A-Center locations have great outdoor furniture options at affordable prices you’ll love. Plus, with our online ordering and same-day delivery**, you can shop now and transform your backyard in virtually no time at all.
What are you waiting for? Check out Rent-A-Center today, and make your patio the place to be this summer.