If you’re wondering how to clean garden furniture, you’ve come to the right place. Below, you’ll find step-by-step guides to cleaning methods that will leave your outdoor furniture set sparkling quicker than you can say ‘BBQ round ours!’
We’ve broken it down by furniture type – wood, metal, plastic and rattan – to help you remove dirt and grime as efficiently as possible. Garden furniture ideas are nothing without a little TLC – and as long as you avoid garden furniture cleaning mistakes and take on the tips in this guide, you’ll transform your outdoor sets in no time.
How to clean wooden garden furniture
There are so many different furniture materials on the market, but the best wooden garden furniture is timeless. It’s extremely durable and also very easy to clean.
If you’re not sure how to clean wooden furniture, we’ve covered everything below, from what you’ll need to a step-by-step guide and tips on how to keep your wooden garden clean for longer.
What you’ll need
Sorbo
Pack of 4 Microfibre Cloths
Newman and Cole
Natural Coco Soft Hand Brush
Roxil
Wood Protection Cream
1. Prepare the furniture for cleaning
The wooden vs metal garden furniture debate is a popular one, but if you go with wood, it’s a good idea to prepare the furniture for cleaning before you get started. Thankfully, this is a very easy process.
‘For general furniture maintenance, remove any cushions and brush away loose debris such as leaves, bird droppings or food, says Caron Grant, brand manager at Bridgman.
You can normally do this with your hands, but you could use a broom like this Charles Bentley 11.4″ Stiff Bassine Bristled Broom from Robert Dyas to sweep the furniture if you want to make this step even easier.
2. Scrub with soap and water
When you’ve brushed off larger pieces of debris, you can then focus on cleaning the wood itself. To do this, you’ll need to create a solution of warm, soapy water with washing-up liquid.
While wooden garden furniture is one of the most durable types of garden furniture, you still need to be careful when you do this. In fact, you should only ever use a soft-bristled brush, like this Newman and Cole Soft Bristle Hand Brush from Amazon.
‘Use a soft-bristled brush (it’s important that your brush isn’t hard and won’t scratch) or a soft microfibre cloth to gently loosen and remove any dirt and debris from the surface,’ says Steve Chilton, garden expert at LeisureBench. ‘Doing this simple step prevents a buildup of organic matter, which can contribute to mould growth in the long run.’
3. Wipe down with a damp cloth
The soapy mixture should be enough to remove all of the dirt and grime from your wooden garden furniture, but this next step is very important if you want to avoid dried soap marks.
Steve advises, ‘Wipe down the furniture with a damp cloth. This will get rid of any mud and other markings.’
It will also get rid of the soap suds and allow you to move on to the next step without any worries about future staining.
4. Leave it to air dry
When you’ve cleaned your wooden garden furniture and wiped it down with a damp cloth, you should then leave it to air dry completely.
This step is incredibly important, as it will ensure it stays clear of debris and mould for the next few months. In fact, if you move the furniture inside or cover it with a furniture cover prematurely, it will most likely result in mould formation, which is even trickier to clean.
So, moving your clean wooden garden furniture into the sun might be a good idea to let it dry quicker.
5. Apply a treatment
After this step, you can either leave it there and enjoy the freshly cleaned aesthetic or add a treatment to the wood to weatherproof your garden furniture.
Caron says, ‘You may choose to apply a water-based treatment onto the newly-cleaned timber or leave it to turn a natural silver, grey colour. Any application used will not affect the lifespan of the furniture; it is merely a cosmetic finish.’
If you choose to do this, something like the Cuprinol Garden Matt Exterior Wood Paint, which you can order from B&Q, should do the trick. In fact, this paint also provides 6-year weather protection on garden wood.
How to keep your wooden garden furniture clean
Cleaning wooden garden furniture isn’t the most exciting job in the world, but there are ways to keep the frequency of this task to a minimum. All you have to do is keep your wooden garden furniture clean, and there are several ways to do that:
- Use a protective varnish: If you want to protect your wooden garden furniture from grime and stains, a protective varnish can help you out. It’ll lower the risk of chipping, fading and staining.
- Do mini-cleans: General cleaning of your garden furniture can take a while, but shorter mini-cleans won’t take as long – and they’re a great way to keep your wooden furniture clean. This could involve a weekly sweep to brush off larger debris, and treating stains (like bird poo) as soon as you spot them.
- Store it inside: The best way to keep your wooden garden furniture in pristine condition is to store it inside. Of course, this isn’t an option for many people –but if you have the chance to keep it in the shed or a garage when you’re not using it, you definitely should.
- Use a furniture cover: If you’re wondering whether you should invest in outdoor furniture covers, the answer is yes! Weather-proof furniture covers like this Selections Waterproof Stacking Garden Chair Cover from Amazon are ideal if you don’t have indoor storage space.
- Deep clean at key points: You can’t avoid deep cleaning wooden garden furniture completely, but you can limit it to key points in the year. It’s wise to deep clean it just before you pack it away for the year, and just before you bring it out for the year, too.
How to clean metal garden furniture
Although it’s fairly durable, metal furniture still contends with changing weather patterns and summer-long use. That’s why it’s important to know how to clean metal furniture.
While we all know that learning how to clean garden furniture is key, metal garden furniture is different to wood, which means that you have to tailor your cleaning process.
All you need to do now is follow this step-by-step guide.
What you’ll need
Roughneck
Roughneck Heavy Wire Brush With Scraper
Miniml White Vinegar 750ml
Zale Yardley
Non-Scratch Silver Scourers
1. Brush off any debris
If you want to learn how to clean metal garden furniture, your first step is to brush off any easy-to-remove debris. For this, you’ll need a soft-bristled brush – ideally a small one rather than a broom.
‘For general furniture maintenance, remove any cushions and brush away loose debris such as leaves, bird droppings or food,’ says Caron from Bridgman.
And while you may be inclined to whip out one of the best pressure washers for the next step, it’s in your best interest to hold fire – after all, metal garden furniture is one of the five types of garden furniture you should never clean with a pressure washer. Instead, you need to clean by hand.
2. Clean with warm, soapy water
With the larger, loose debris removed, you can then work on getting into the nooks and crannies of your metal garden furniture. These small spaces are often filled with dried-on stains, leftover crumbs, and even cobwebs if you haven’t mastered how to keep spiders off garden furniture.
For this task, you can use a bucket of warm, soapy water (washing-up liquid will do) and either the same soft brush as before or a clean microfibre cloth. Ultimately, this is determined by the type of metal furniture you own.
‘For aluminium furniture or rope furniture with a metal frame, clean using a cloth and warm, soapy water, then dry with a soft, non-scratch cloth,’ advises Caron.
If you have any other type of metal furniture, you can use a soft-bristle brush. Avoid using a hard-bristled brush, though, as this may scratch the metal.
3. Then, tackle any rust
If you’ve completed the steps above and noticed rusty patches on your metal garden furniture, you need to work on cleaning rust off the metal. And don’t worry; this is very common. You’ll just need a tough wire brush like this Roughneck Heavy Duty Wire Brush (with Scraper) from Amazon.
‘Metal furniture is very durable, but it does get rusty. Rust results from oxidation, which then starts to break down and peel off,’ explains Martin Beaumont from Monty Miracle.
Thankfully, it’s fairly easy to tackle the rust on your metal garden furniture. ‘Purchase a brittle wire brush and gently scrape away any lumpy rusty patches using circular motions, making sure to wipe clean afterwards,’ suggests Martin. ‘Once the surface is dry, a small piece of sandpaper can even out the surfaces if needed.’
Alternatively, you could use white vinegar to clean the rust off your metal garden furniture. The acidity of the vinegar breaks down the rust, and you should then be able to simply wipe it off. Ideally, you’ll want to soak a cloth in vinegar and lay it on top of the rust for an hour or so, though.
4. Rinse with fresh water
Once you’ve cleaned your metal garden furniture and removed any rust, you’ll need to rinse the whole thing down. Leaving any residue from cleaning products on the metal can not only affect the integrity of the furniture but also result in further rusting and discolouration.
‘Don’t use a power wash, as this can damage the vulnerable parts of the metal further,’ warns Martin. Instead, the best way to do this is to either grab a bucket of cold water or use your garden hose to hose the whole thing down.
Ideally, you should then let it air dry, but if it’s not a sunny day, you could use a clean cloth or chamois to dry it quickly.
5. Consider painting or sealing it
While knowing how to clean metal garden furniture is a skill every metal garden furniture owner should know, we’re going to bet your bottom dollar that you don’t want to do it regularly. If this is the case, you might consider painting or sealing it for added protection.
Reilly Gray, co-founder of Suns Lifestyle says, ‘Once dry, apply the relevant care and protection products to ensure your furniture is maintained properly.’
You have a few options for this, too. You could opt for a sealant like this Rust-Oleum Spray Crystal Clear Matt Protective Coat from Amazon, or you could use a specialised protective paint like this Polar Direct to Rust Satin Black Metal Spray Paint from Amazon.
‘Once it is dry, paint works as a great barrier for metal furniture, and looks great,’ adds Martin. ‘White is particularly popular, along with green and black, but we are seeing a lot of bright colours and pastels on old traditional metal furniture, which looks great, too.’
6. Protect with a furniture cover
If you want to add another layer of protection after cleaning your metal garden furniture, it’s worth questioning whether you should invest in an outdoor furniture cover, too.
While some metal garden furniture can live outside year-round without protection, it’s better to be safe than sorry, according to Reilly. He explains, ‘If the furniture is made of wrought iron, then it’s especially important to store it in a dry and sheltered location, as this material is more susceptible to rust than other metals.
‘Furniture made from weather-resistant aluminium is more resistant to rust and corrosion, but storing it in a dry location will only help to enhance its lifespan.’
How to clean plastic garden furniture
Plastic garden furniture is versatile and affordable, and learning how to clean plastic garden furniture is a piece of cake.
Here’s how to get started.
What you’ll need
GARDENA
13mm Basic Hose Set
MTS
Microfibre Cleaning Cloths (10 Pack)
Arm & Hammer
Baking Soda for Cleaning
1. Set up a designated cleaning station
Cleaning plastic garden furniture can be a messy job, which is why it’s always a good idea to set up a designated cleaning station before you get started. Not only that, but you may be using cleaning products that could damage or even kill the plants in your garden borders or ruin your lawn care efforts.
With this in mind, aim to clean your plastic garden furniture away from your grass or other plants and focus on cleaning near a drain, such as on your patio or driveway. If you want to add an extra level of protection, you could even lay down a plastic tarp.
2. Tackle the mould and mildew first
Unfortunately, plastic garden furniture can suffer from mould and mildew build-up. If left for too long, this can take over the plastic, and you may be unable to restore your furniture to its former glory.
So, you should always tackle mould and mildew as soon as you spot it, and always make sure you get rid of it before you carry on with the general cleaning of your plastic garden furniture. To do this, you’ll need to clean with vinegar, as it has both antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Ryan Kaila, garden furniture expert from Kingfisher Direct, explains, ‘Vinegar is the ideal solution to use when cleaning, as its acidic nature makes it perfect for breaking down tough stains. It is particularly effective on plastic furniture, as plastic is resistant to vinegar and therefore won’t cause any damage.’
Vinegar is still highly acidic, though, which is why you should always dilute your vinegar before cleaning your plastic garden furniture. Aim to fill a spray bottle with a 3:1 ratio of white vinegar and water and spray the mouldy areas liberally. Then, let it sit for at least half an hour, or one hour if you have the time.
By the end of the hour, the mould should have loosened, and you should be able to wipe it away with a damp cloth. However, if it’s particularly stubborn, you may need to repeat the process.
3. Choose your cleaning agent
There are so many different products that you can use to clean plastic furniture, and while we’ll always shout loud and proud about natural cleaning products, we appreciate that you may need to make an exception for white plastic furniture.
After all, white plastic is notorious for staining, and it can be impossible to remove it naturally. Instead, you’ll need to half-dilute some bleach with water and scrub it onto the stains. Don’t do this on coloured plastic garden furniture, and always wear gloves when handling bleach.
If you don’t need to remove any stains, you can use a variety of natural products. These include a simple mixture of warm, soapy water (like you’re washing the dishes), or water mixed with baking soda.
‘When it comes to cleaning outdoor furniture, I always recommend starting with warm water and all-purpose cleaner or dish soap,’ says Ryan. ‘This is the simplest, most cost-effective and gentle method of cleaning, so it’s always best to try it before using a harsher cleaner.’
However, baking soda is particularly helpful if you have any lingering discolouration or dried-on debris that needs a tougher touch.
Whatever you choose, grab a scrubbing brush or clean microfibre cloth and use your cleaning agent to wipe down your plastic garden furniture. Make sure you get into all of the nooks and crannies.
4. Rinse and air-dry
When you’re confident that you’ve scrubbed every inch of your plastic garden furniture with your cleaning agent, Ryan says, ‘Rinse thoroughly with fresh water, and if there are remaining marks on the furniture, repeat the process.’ You should do this with a garden hose or a few buckets of clean water.
Don’t be tempted to use one of the best pressure washers for this task, though. Although you may assume that this handy garden appliance could help you out, plastic furniture is one of the many types of garden furniture you should never clean with a pressure washer.
So, rinse gently and then allow the plastic garden furniture to air-dry in a sunny area of your garden. If it’s a cloudy day, dry with a clean microfibre cloth or chamois cloth instead.
5. Clean your cushions and accessories
There’s no point in cleaning your plastic garden furniture if you’re going to immediately cover it in dirty cushions or accessories. So, taking a moment to clean your outdoor furniture cushions is also a worthwhile task.
It may be that you need to get mould and mildew out of your outdoor cushions, or that they just need a spin in the washing machine. But whatever the case, always make sure that these cushions and accessories are fully clean and dry before putting them back on your plastic garden furniture.
6. Prevent future dirt build-up
Although cleaning plastic garden furniture isn’t rocket science, it still takes up a lot of your time and energy. So, you probably don’t want to do it again in a hurry.
So, you need to do everything you can to prevent dirt build-up. It may be that you simply give them a quick wipe down with a soapy cloth after every use, or you may have to move them away from trees (and the tree sap and bird droppings that go with them).
Everyone will benefit from using an outdoor furniture cover on their plastic garden furniture, though. This is echoed by Caron from Bridgman, who says, ‘Outdoor furniture covers are as essential as any piece of garden furniture or outdoor accessory.
‘When you buy your outdoor furniture, you are investing in pieces that you and your loved ones will enjoy season after season, so it is essential to protect your investment. Covers will keep your favourite garden furniture looking pristine for years to come, making cleaning quicker and easier.’
If you really want to push the boat out, you could also consider sealing your plastic garden furniture with wax to prevent future dirt build-up. You can use any car wax for this.
How to clean rattan furniture
Rattan furniture is famed for its beautiful weave, but there’s no doubt that these nooks and crannies are a breeding ground for dust, dirt, crumbs, cobwebs, and so much more.
That’s why knowing how to clean rattan furniture is key.
What you’ll need
Beldray
Wet and Dry Handheld Vacuum
Lakeland
Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Spontex
Microfibre Cloths for Cleaning
1. Remove the cushions
If you have a rattan sofa or dining chairs with cushions, you’ll need to remove them before cleaning the rattan bases. Then, you can inspect them and decide whether you need to clean them or not.
Cleaning furniture cushions is fairly easy, but also very specific. So, always check the labels of your cushions before doing this. Some cushion covers can be washed in a washing machine, while others may need to be cleaned by hand.
If you don’t need to clean them, just pop them somewhere safe while you clean the rest of the rattan furniture.
2. Vacuum the furniture
If you have one of the best vacuum cleaners to hand, you’ll need to grab it for this next step. Ideally, you should use one of the best handheld vacuums to make the job easier.
The aim is to get into the nooks and crannies and remove any loose bits of dirt, food, or debris, so it’s also worth trying out different vacuum tools to ensure you can remove as much as possible. If you don’t have these available, toothbrushes and cocktail sticks can also come in handy.
Just be careful that you don’t accidentally suck up any spiders, and focus on getting spiders off your garden furniture first.
Alternatively, you could just brush these larger pieces of debris off with a dry cloth. In fact, this is Steve’s preferred method of cleaning.
He says, ‘Use a soft brush or clean cloth to brush off any dust and loose bits of dirt. You should repeat these two steps at least once a week during the summer months, and even during the winter months, to keep your rattan furniture looking clean and tidy.’
3. Clean with warm, soapy water
Although there are some products out there that claim to clean rattan furniture, most experts would advise against using them. Steve says, ‘I wouldn’t recommend using any abrasive cleaners, any really strong detergents, or anything with bleaches in, as this could also damage the furniture.’
Instead, you should opt for a gentler solution of warm, soapy water. Washing-up liquid should do the trick.
You can then dip the microfibre cloth into the soapy water and wring out the excess until it’s slightly damp. Then, wipe the cloth over the rattan, trying to get in between the weaves as much as possible. If you need to get into smaller areas of the furniture, use a toothbrush.
After that, you can either wipe down the furniture with clean water or use a garden hose to get rid of any remaining bubbles or soap solution.
Steve adds, ‘You can also use a hose to clean any rattan furniture. However, don’t use a pressure washer, as this strength will damage the rattan.’
4. Leave it to air-dry
When you’re confident that your rattan furniture is as clean as it can be, you should then leave it to air dry. This step is very important, as you don’t want to put your cushions back onto wet furniture. This could contribute to mould growth, which is even harder to clean.
If you want to speed up the process, just move the furniture into the sun. In fact, we’d always recommend cleaning your rattan furniture on a warm and sunny day so it’ll dry fairly quickly.
5. Keep it covered
Although it’s easy to clean rattan furniture, it can be time-consuming. Thankfully, there is a way to reduce how often you need to clean your rattan furniture.
Yes, outdoor furniture covers are great at keeping dirt and grime at bay when you’re not using the furniture. Alternatively, you could bring two patio cover ideas to life.
‘To prevent fading and sun bleaching, for pieces left uncovered in a strong sunspot, make sure to use a furniture cover when not in use,’ echoes Caron from Bridgman. ‘This protective cover can also help to keep the furniture clean.’
How to clean garden furniture cushions
Even the best outdoor cushions are constantly exposed to dirt and debris, from food stains to bird droppings and even rainwater. But if you want to make these cushions look as good as new, you need to know exactly how to clean garden furniture cushions.
We’ve consulted garden furniture experts to help you nail this task, and you’ll be happy to know that it’s easier than you think. All you need are three common household products and a sunny day to get the job done.
What you’ll need
Miniml White Vinegar 750ml
Bamboo Plastic Scrubbing Brush
Ecover Camomile & Clementine Washing Up Liquid
1. Check the label
You can clean garden furniture cushions by hand or in the washing machine, but some aren’t machine-washable.
Even if your garden furniture cushions are removable, it’s still a good idea to double-check the label to make sure you’re choosing the right option.
And if they’re not removable, simply move on to the next step.
2. Scrub with a natural cleaning solution
At Ideal Home, we always prefer to use a natural cleaning solution over a chemical cleaner. And, thankfully, cleaning with vinegar is the best option when cleaning garden furniture cushions.
In fact, the most effective cleaning solution is a mixture of warm water, washing-up liquid, and around two tablespoons of white vinegar.
‘Using a soft cloth or very soft brush, use the mixture on your cushions,’ says Steve from Leisure Bench. ‘You should lightly scrub and ensure that the mixture covers the whole cushion.’
3. Wipe off the cleaning solution
If you have particularly dirty garden furniture cushions or just need a little tea break, you should then let the cleaning solution work its magic for around 15 minutes before wiping it off. This will give the solution enough time to penetrate the material’s fibres.
Steve says, ‘Let the mixture sit for around 15 minutes. Rinse off the mixture, making sure every bit is properly removed. Then, let the cushions dry.’
For this step, it’s best to grab a bucket of clean water and place it next to you so you don’t have to keep running back and forth to the kitchen.
4. Tackle any mould spots
If you’re happy with your garden furniture cushions after the first two steps, you can move on to step four. But if you’ve spotted mould on them, you may need to give them some extra TLC.
‘If you do find mould, don’t panic,’ says Caron from Bridgman. ‘The key to treating mould stains is to clean the cushion as soon as you see the mould forming.
‘Dilute one cup of bleach with ¼ cup of mild soap per five litres of water and use a spray bottle to apply the solution to the affected area, allowing it to soak for 15 minutes.’
Then, you’ll need to clean the mould away using a washing-up or nail brush.
‘If there is still some mould remaining, spray the cushion with a jet washer,’ Caron adds. ‘Just make sure to vent the cushions if water gets inside.’
5. Repeat when necessary
When you’ve cleaned your garden furniture cushions for the first time, it’s easy to forget about them for the rest of the year. But most experts suggest cleaning them at least twice a year: before you get them out of the shed in the spring, and before you put them away again in late summer or early autumn.
Of course, there are circumstances when you should clean them more than that. Steve says, ‘You should be cleaning the cushions as soon as you notice a stain or mark or just as regularly as you wash your indoor sofa cushions.
‘Once a week or once every two weeks, it’s a good idea to dust any outdoor cushions just to prevent dirt from sitting too long.’
Now you know how to clean garden furniture, it’s time to wait for a sunny day to get started!
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