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How to Properly Clean and Protect Your Outdoor Furniture

Last Updated: Apr 29, 2024
By: Garden Gate Review Team
Properly Clean and Protect Your Outdoor Furniture
View all Contents
  • Preparation
  • Cleaning Your Furniture
  • Protecting Your Furniture
  • Conclusion
  • More from Garden Gate

When it comes to outdoor furniture, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to keep it looking great for years to come. From winter to summer, the elements are constantly wearing down your furniture. If you’ve been wondering how to properly clean outdoor furniture in order to preserve it for longer, you are in the right place.

In this post, we’ll discuss how to properly clean outdoor furniture and protect it. We’ll cover the top cleaning methods and treatments you should use to extend your furniture’s lifespan. With the right know-how, you can get the most out of your outdoor furniture and keep it looking great for years.

Preparation

Before you begin to clean or protect your furniture, there are a few steps that must be taken to properly prepare the pieces. Remove any cushions or fabric covers to prevent them from getting wet or damaged during the cleaning process. Wipe down the furniture using a damp cloth to remove dirt and dust.

Cleaning Your Furniture

Once the preparation is done, it’s time to start cleaning your outdoor furniture pieces. Dust can accumulate on outdoor furniture over time, making it look dull and dingy. To remove it, use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner attachment to gently brush away the dust particles. Make sure you get in all the nooks and crannies.

To remove stains from your outdoor furniture, use a mixture of warm water and mild detergent applied with a clean cloth or soft-bristled brush. Scrub gently until the stain is gone. For stubborn stains, you may need to repeat this process several times until the stain is completely gone.

Power washing can be used to deep clean outdoor furniture pieces quickly and efficiently. Check the manufacturing recommendations for care instructions.

For tough stains, scratches, or scuffs, use an appropriate cleaner and soft-bristled brush to scrub away at them until they are gone or have faded significantly in color. Make sure that you rinse thoroughly, as some cleaners can be corrosive if left on too long.

Protecting Your Furniture

Once your outdoor furniture pieces have been cleaned, there are a few steps to protect them from future damage or staining. If your outdoor furniture won’t be used for long periods, it is important to cover them with an outdoor furniture cover or weatherproof tarps to keep them clean and dry during this time. This covering will also help prevent sun fading due to too much UV exposure.

Refinishing is one of the most ideal ways to protect outdoor furniture from wear and tear caused by weather exposure. This technique involves sanding down any damaged wood surfaces before applying a protective sealant, paint job, or lacquer finish depending on what type of material you are dealing with.

If your outdoor furniture does not have a protective finish, then sealing, painting, or lacquering outer surfaces is recommended to protect them. Make sure you choose an appropriate product for your material type for it to have maximum protection against weather exposure. Waxing is another great way to protect your outdoor furniture from wear and tear.

Conclusion

Taking the time to properly clean and protect your outdoor furniture is well worth the effort. Not only will it look better, but it will also last much longer. We hope this post has given you the tools and knowledge to keep your outdoor furniture looking great for years to come. Now, all that’s left for you to do is to enjoy your beautiful outdoor space knowing you’ve taken the necessary steps to ensure the longevity of your furniture.

Article Contributors

Garden Gate Review Team

The Garden Gate Review Team is a group of writers, editors, and gardeners, dedicated towards writing trustworthy product reviews that'll help you choose the best products for a beautiful garden and backyard.

Garden Gate is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Artificial Intelligence (large language models) may have been used in the research and creation of the content.

Please reach out to aimperiapt@gmail.com with any questions regarding product testing or specific articles.

Read More About Garden Gate Review Team Here
Outdoor Furniture

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