Patio furniture is often exposed to many elements of dirt, grime, and so much more. For any rational human being cleanliness is part of day to day activity and cleaning your patio furniture is part of it.Â
Normally, patio furniture is made of material that is weather resistant, but this does not mean that it should not be cleaned. That is why it is advised to clean at least four times per year.
In this article I am going to talk about how to clean different types of material without using a hose. A good understanding of how to clean these different materials will help to extend the useful life of patio furniture and keep it looking good longer.
In case you do not have a hose, it is best to opt for a bucket. Sometimes you might be surprised how a bucket can help in keeping your patio furniture looking good generally. You could use several buckets of water before the whole patio is cleaned. Always take your time with the cleaning process to end up with a clean patio.
If you want your deck to look good all year long here are some of the tips on cleaning the outdoor furniture.
- Cleaning Wicker Furniture
What you need;
- Two tablespoons of white vinegar
- One jug of warm water
- A half cup of ammonia
- Soap water
Many people nowadays are having wicker furniture, which is made of rattan, which is a tropical plant with climbing characteristics. The plant can easily make many porches, patios, and deck furniture.Â
Because it has a weaving construction it requires little care, thus cleaning is easy.
Use a soft brush or a broom to remove all the cobwebs and spiders, plus any dust hidden in the weaves. Carefully look at the weaves ensuring they have not changed their original position. If they have moved, use a ruler or a finger for setting them back.
Sometimes you can find that the wicker is a heavy solid material, then use a soft brush or a sponge with a mild soap mostly oil-based together with warm water to easily remove any tough/stubborn dirt.
proceed to rinse it and give it time to dry. It is advised to avoid the use of foam cleansers, this is because the cleaner foam can easily get into the strands and collect there leading to deterioration.
- Cleaning Teak Patio Furniture
What you need;
- One cup of chlorine bleach
- One jug of warm water
- One cup of washing detergent
Teak is a hardwood and many hardwoods clean up nicely when using a solution that is not too strong. You can opt for a laundry detergent or a washing detergent is used.
Many people like teak because of its durability and can be easily maintained and cleaned by simply sanding off to reveal its natural form.
Apply the washing detergent as you scrub using soft brush. Continue scrubbing the wood as you go. If there are water stains on the wood make sure they are removed before you start cleaning.
Rinse with warm water and use a dry rag to remove water droplets. Allow the teak furniture to dry under a shade.
Most people after cleaning a teak furniture they would like to bring back the original shiny surface. For this you are advised to polish it. You can then apply a light coat that always repels water and prevents staining. In summary, just clean and polish for a brand new teak patio furniture.
- Cleaning Plastic Patio FurnitureÂ
What you need;
- Three tablespoons of kitchen dish washing detergent OR
- A half a cup of baking soda
- One gallon of water
Plastic furniture or sometimes it is called resin furniture comes in many styles and also it is not expensive. That is why it is used by many as deck and lawn furniture. Known to many, plastic is rust resistant, durable, and hard hence it is easy to maintain.
Remove dust from the plastic furniture using a dry cloth, a broom, or a soft brush. This is then followed by dipping a sponge in the kitchen dish-washing detergent or baking soda solution, then scrub the furniture.
Use a small brush or toothbrush to scrub areas that are not easy to reach. Lastly, use a dry towel to remove water droplets that might leave water marks when they dry.
It should be noted that if a plastic furniture is not properly cleaned, it could lose its color and might become brittle if left in direct sunlight. As soon as you see dirt on your plastic furniture, clean it because this is the number one rule for plastic furniture maintenance.
What you need;
- A half a cup of washing detergent
- One gallon of soft water
When we talk about metallic furniture we have three types of metals in mind and these are; wrought iron, cast iron, and stainless steel. The biggest enemy of metallic furniture is rust. If you notice rust on your furniture, use steel wool to remove it and make sure you re-paint it immediately to prevent any future cases of rust.
While cleaning metallic furniture, make sure you are at a clean area to avoid splashing mud or dry grass on the furniture. Put a half a cup of washing detergent on the sponge then add soft water.
Scrub in circular motion while rinsing the sponge most of the time. Using a jug, rinse any soap residue and the remaining dirt. Dry the water droplets with a dry towel and let it dry under a shade.
- Clean Rattan Patio Furniture
What you need;
- A half a cup of dish soap
- A gallon of water
Rattan is an attractive, durable, and lightweight natural biodegradable material used to make eco-friendly furniture.
Place water in a basin and add a half a cup of dish soap. Vigorously stir so that bubbles form. Dip a soft cloth in the bubbled water then wipe the furniture.
Use a small brush or a toothbrush to remove hard stains, for such stains more water is needed. It is advised to avoid wetting the rattan because excess water damages the rattan. Lastly, put the furniture in direct sunlight or use a hair dryer to remove all the moisture.
- Cleaning Outdoor Cushions
What you need;
- A half a cup of dish soap
- A gallon of water
- A half a cup of borax
- Fabric protector spray
If your cushions have cases, make sure you remove them and hand wash them or machine wash if possible. Vacuum the cushions to remove loose dirt or dust. Mix the dish soap with water and add borax (1/4 a cup) if there is mildew. Put the cushions in the solution and allow them to soak for fifteen minutes. If you see dirt spots, scrub them using a soft brush.
Take a fresh bucket of clean water and rinse the cushions. Using a dry towel wrap the cushions and blot up the water in the cushion. Put the cushion under direct sunlight for them to dry completely. To avoid any future stains and excess dirt spray the cushions with a fabric protector.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can see that without a hose you can still have clean patio furniture. Also, without using a hose your furniture can have a longer useful life because the material is not damaged by the high pressure that comes from the hose pump. And lastly, not using a hose is a cheap cleaning process because all the expenses of buying the hose pump and hose pipe are cut.