Patio furniture is exposed to all kinds of weather as they are usually left outside most of the time. They are open to the elements and dust for 24 hours a day. It is no wonder then that patio furniture can become very dirty. It is important to clean furniture regularly as neglect can make them vulnerable to damage and the dust can contribute to the cracking or fading of their paint or stain. Here are some easy ways to clean your patio furniture.
Material
Knowing what kind of material your patio furniture is made of will make it easy to choose cleaning materials and method. Plastic for example is very easy to clean and maintain. All you need is a damp cloth to wipe off the dirt. After wiping off, follow up with a clean dry cloth to make sure that all the dirt has been lifted off. Other material like wicker can also be wiped down. However for deep seated dirt you can remove the cushions and hose down the wicker. Just make sure to wipe it off so that moisture will not seep down to the core and weaken the wicker.
For iron or metal, vacuum off dirt and use warm soapy water and soft sponge to get off residual dirt. Do not use a power hose as this can damage the iron. Wipe to dry immediately. Wooden furniture can also benefit from soapy water. Use a soft sponge to wash off dirt and grime. It is also best to dry wood immediately to preserve its structural integrity. You can wipe it down with a soft clean cloth so as not to damage the paint or to leave it out in the sun to dry for a few hours.
Cleaning Materials
For most furniture soapy water from dishwashing liquid is usually good enough to get dirt off. Other good cleaning materials include a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda is also good for plastic furniture. For furniture like wood scrubbing it with a brush is a good idea when it is very dirty or when a soft sponge won't do the job. The thing to remember with wood is to scrub in the direction of the grain particularly in soft wood like cedar. Dirt on wooden and metal furniture can also be sanded out.
Polish
A good furniture polish can help preserve the wood and repel dirt and dust. There are different kinds of polish for different types of material. Before applying the polish, try out small amount first on an area that cannot be seen. This is to ensure that your furniture won't act negatively to the polish. Another great way to bring out the shine to your wooden furniture is to buy some wood conditioner or wood oil to give your wooden furniture a facelift or to extend their life.
Paint and Stain
If you find your wooden furniture a bit dull after washing or polishing freshen up their look by applying a coat of two of paint or stain. These can crack and peel over time and leave your furniture even more vulnerable to the elements. By painting or staining you are protecting the inner core from moisture and preserving them and extending its life.
If your patio furniture has cushions they will also need to be washed. Remove and stick in the washing machine. For canvass, brush off the dirt or stain using detergent or dishwashing liquid. Avoid using bleach as this can stain and weaken the material. You can also give your patio furniture a new look by buying new cushion covers.
A good article on patio furniture covers: http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-choose-the-best-patio-furniture-covers.htm