I Used to Dread Cleaning My Outdoor Furniture—Until I Tried This Vacuum Hack

When warm weather finally arrives, we’re excited to head outside to soak up some rays, dine al fresco, and sip a cold beverage on the patio. Well… excited until we get a look at the grime that collected on our outdoor furniture over the winter.

So, instead of giving up and heading back inside, take a look at the most efficient ways to clean outdoor furniture. You’ll be relaxing in no time.

Grab a Leaf Blower or Vacuum

The first step is to get rid of the top layer of loose dust, dirt, and cobwebs. I move the furniture to a spot where I can circle around on all sides and grab my leaf blower. Just be sure not to blow dirt from one piece to another! For upholstered pieces, wicker or woven furniture, use the upholstery brush attachment on your vacuum to suction away dust and dirt. No leaf blower or vacuum? Use a broom.

Harness the Power of Water Pressure

You may be tempted to use a pressure washer to blast away winter grime on outdoor furniture, but resist the urge unless you are an expert at selecting the right nozzles. A pressure washer is just too powerful and can ruin the surface of glass, painted, or wicker pieces. But a garden hose with an adjustable spray nozzle is perfect for washing away soil, mixing cleaning solutions, and doing a final rinse.

Let the Cleaners Do Their Thing

Whether you use a commercial cleaner or a DIY mixture, give the cleaner time to do its job. In other words, apply the cleaner and let it sit for at least 10 minutes to begin breaking apart and softening the soil. Why scrub more than you have to?

DIY Cleaners for Different Types of Outdoor Furniture

Here are the best cleaners to use for different types of outdoor furniture:

Wood

Mix a teaspoon of an oil-based wood soap with one gallon of warm water. Apply with a soft-bristled nylon brush and scrub. Rinse well and dry with a microfiber cloth. If you have mildew stains, dissolve 1/2 cup of powdered oxygen bleach (not chlorine bleach!) in 1 gallon of hot water. Apply to the mildewed areas and let it work for at least 15 minutes. Scrub, rinse, and dry.

Resin and Plastic

Mix 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap, 1/2 cup of baking soda, and 1 gallon of warm water. Stir well to mix and apply with a soft-bristled nylon brush. Plastic and resin furniture scratch easily, but the baking soda is gentle enough to add a bit of abrasion to help lift dirt. Rinse well after cleaning. If the plastic is mildewed or stained, do a second cleaning with an oxygen bleach powder and hot water.

Aluminum

Clean powder-coated and uncoated aluminum furniture with a solution of warm water and liquid dish soap. Rinse well and dry to prevent spotting. To keep the finish shiny, coat the metal with paste car wax and buff.

Iron

Wash away dust and grime with hot, soapy water. Rinse well and dry immediately. If you have rust, use distilled white vinegar to remove it before applying new paint.

• Saturate an old cloth or sponge with vinegar.
• Place it on the rusty area and let it sit for about 30 minutes. You can cover the cloth with a plastic bag to prevent the vinegar from evaporating.
• Scrub the treated area with a soft-bristled brush and rinse well with water.
• Dry the furniture with a microfiber cloth.

Wicker

Wicker or woven furniture is traditionally constructed from rattan, split reed, or coated paper. However, plastic is often used to create the look of wicker because it is more durable in outdoor situations. Any type of woven furniture can be cleaned with a solution of liquid dish soap and warm water. Use a soft-bristled brush to get into all of the nooks and crannies, rinse well, and air dry out of direct sunlight.

Glass

Clean outdoor glass-topped tables just as you would indoor glass with a commercial glass cleaner or a 50:50 water and distilled white vinegar spray. Be sure to rinse off loose dirt first so you aren’t pushing it around.

Upholstery and Pillows

Make your life easier and check to see if your pillows and cushions have removable covers that can be tossed in the washer. If not, spread a big tarp on the lawn and let the cleaning begin.

• Vacuum or blow away loose dust and soil.
• Pretreat any visible stains with an enzyme-based laundry stain remover.
• Mix 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap in 1 gallon of warm water in a large plastic bucket.
• Dip a soft-bristled brush in the solution, start at the top of the cushion, and gently scrub the fabric. Rinse the brush often. If the soapy water becomes excessively dirty before you finish all the cushions, mix a fresh batch.
• Use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to rinse both sides of the cushions. Place the cushions upright so they can drip-dry.