Outdoor Furniture Care

Outdoor furniture should be stored inside during
winter to avoid unnecessary weather damage. Most outdoor
furniture can be cleaned by washing with a mild detergent
(hand dishwashing liquid) and water, rinsed and dried.

Products made for cleaning, polishing, and protecting
auto surfaces, (such as vinyl, other plastics, painted
metals, etc.) are made to stand weathering and greater
abuse than those for strictly interior use. They will
work well for similar materials in outdoor furniture.
Look in auto supply departments of hardware and other
stores, or auto supply stores. Always read the label to
be sure they are recommended for the materials you have.

Aluminum Outdoor Furniture--Cleaning

Aluminum does not rust, but it will discolor and
develop a pitted or rough surface. Aluminum is affected
by air pollutants. The surface will appear to have fine
grit stuck to the surface, but it will not wipe away
easily. If you observe aluminum storm windows and screens
which have been exposed to weather for a couple years you
will see what happens to aluminum outdoor furniture; the
surface has oxidized.

Care will depend on the condition of the aluminum:

Regular Cleaning
If surface is only mildly discolored, wash with soap
and water, to which some mild household acid has been
added; lemon juice, vinegar, or cream of tartar. Most
water is slightly alkaline, so do not add ammonia, TSP or
soda. Wash as needed during the season; wash at end of
season. (Remember the darkening of aluminum pans when low
acid or alkali foods are cooked..it blackens. When acid
foods such as tomatoes are cooked in aluminum, it will
become shiny.)

Special Cleaning

If surface is pitted, polish with a soap-filled steel
wool pot cleaner, rinse and dry. All steel wool must be
removed or it will rust and stain the aluminum. Wash and
dry. There are also a variety of commercial cleaners used
for aluminum surfaces on boats and automobiles which may
help clean extremely dirty aluminum.

Do not use commercial cleaners on anodized aluminum.
A coat of auto wax, or a silicon spray will protect
aluminum from corrosion and pitting.

Colored Anodized Aluminum:

Use only mild detergent and water to wash anodized
aluminum. Rinse well. The anodized finish resists
corrosion.

Painted Metal Outdoor Furniture--Care and Cleaning

Baked-on enamel surfaces such as used on automobile
exteriors are the most durable. Metal having had a metal
primer applied first to a spotless, grease free surface,
and dried, with a second coat of paint or enamel is next
in durability. Paint or enamel applied directly to a
metal surface is least durable, and more subject to
bubbling, peeling and chipping than either of the above
methods.

Care

Handle painted metal items with care to avoid hitting
one against another which will chip paint, just as stones
and gravel will chip paint on an automobile. Painted
metal card table chairs are often banged against each
other in storage and soon paint is chipped badly.
Painted metal furnishing for the patio need inside
storage for severe winter weather.

Moving metal furniture on a cement surface will
scrape paint from legs of patio furniture. If it is left
out in rain, rust spots can develop on both the furniture
and the cement patio.

Cleaning

Wash surface with warm water and a heavy duty liquid
detergent. A brush may be needed to clean grooves during
cleaning process. An old toothbrush gets into tiny
grooves. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove any
detergent residue. Wipe dry, or allow to air dry in sun or
heated room. Apply automobile liquid or paste wax and polish.
(Follow manufacturer's directions). Auto wax is more
durable than wax made for wood surfaces. Two thin coats
of wax are more satisfactory than one very heavy coat.
Wax protection is especially important for table tops.

Seasonal Care

Use cleaning-waxing care method before storing metal
furniture for the winter. In spring spray with garden
hose for immediate use. (Usually people are too busy with
other garden and yard chores to take time to clean and
wax furniture in the spring.) About midway through summer, a thorough cleaning and waxing will help maintain general appearance of metal
patio furnishings.

Cleaning Plastic Outdoor Furniture

Most plastics can be washed with solution of mild
detergent (hand dishwashing liquid) and water, rinsed,
and can be wiped dry to prevent water spots if that is a
problem. Never use strong alkalis on plastic. Never use
scouring powders or other abrasives as plastics scratch
easily. Some new plastic furniture is finished with lacquered
resins that protect the surface against ultraviolet rays,
rain, and salt spray, with a special resin for plastic
tabletops that gives touch ceramic-like finish. For
others, waxes or special protective finishes for
plastics will give extra protection.
Polyvinyl Chloride Frames and Tops
Not affected by weather, but mat finish on frames
soils easily and should be cleaned when soiled. Easily
scratched so do not use abrasives. Auto wax protects it.

Wash with mild detergent solutions and rinse

Polyvinyl Chloride Coated Polyester Mesh Fabric
Wash during the season when soiled with mild
detergent (hand dishwashing liquid) solution and brush,
and rinse. Wash before storage at end of season. Fabric
sheds water and dries quickly.

Nylon Webbing Seats
Wash with mild detergent solution and brush and rinse
when soiled, and again at end of season before storage.

Vinyl Strapping Seats
Protect from tanning lotions with large towel as some
can stain. Never use abrasives or strong detergents.

Clean regularly as buildup of soil, oil, lotion can
lead to fungus growth. Wash with mild detergent solution
and brush, and rinse, when soiled, and before storage.
Some may have mildew inhibitors.

Sun Umbrellas--Care and Cleaning

Care

Close during heavy rain and high wind, but open after
storm so dirt won't collect in folds. Store for winter
clean and dry.

Cleaning

Clean either coarse fabric (sun protector) or vinyl
with mild detergent and water solution, and rinse with
hose. Dry completely before storing. Dry in open
position.

Vinyl umbrellas that will not come clean with
detergent, may be cleaned with an auto vinyl-top cleaner.
Protective vinyl finishes for auto tops or upholstery may
be applied when clean. This is easier to do if umbrella
is spread on a clean flat firm surface such as driveway
or garage floor.

Outdoor Furniture Cushions--Care and Cleaning

Most new cushions are covered with coated or treated
strong synthetic fabrics that are not damaged by summer
weather and can be left outside all season. Polyacrylics
that feel like cotton but are water repellent and mildew
resistant, and open-weave polyesters (like tire cord
fiber) coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or vinyl are
easy care.

Fillings are polyester which resists mildew and
doesn't hold water. Seams should be stitched with
polyester thread, and have buttons that allow water to
drain out bottom.

Care

Cover cushions with towel if you have on suntan
lotion. The fabric, and sun lotion, when hit by sun's
ultra-violet rays create a chemical reaction that stains
the fabric. If wet by a heavy rain, dry cushions faster by taking
out of frames and standing up on sides. If you have cushions filled with urethane foam, these are not completely weather proof. Neither are
covers or cotton or fabrics other than those listed above. So
protect such cushions from rain.

Cleaning

Wash with mild detergent suds and rinse. Follow label
directions for other procedures. Some manufacturers
recommend a flushing with a hose to remove soil. Be sure
cushions are completely dry before storing for winter.
Never wrap in plastic for storage. Store in dry place.

Some manufacturers recommend "deep cleaning" cushions
at the end of the summer with a solution of 1 cup liquid
chlorine bleach and 1 cup powdered laundry detergent to 3
gallons warm water. Flush cushions with solution on paved
driveway or patio, and let soak 30 minutes so bleach can
destroy any mildew inside.

Scrub any stains with a plastic scrub brush on coated
polyesters, a synthetic sponge on the acrylics. Then
rinse thoroughly with cold water. Dry several days in
sun until thoroughly dry all the way through before
storing. Follow this process ONLY IF recommended by
manufacturer of your new synthetic cushions. And NEVER
put undiluted chlorine bleach on cushions; dilute in
water as directed.

Outdoor Canvas Furniture--Care and Cleaning

Most canvas is cotton, tightly woven and may shed
water. It will rot after long exposure to weather.
Scrub on frame with detergent and stiff brush. Rinse and
dry thoroughly.

Wicker Outdoor Furniture

Wicker, rattan and bamboo deteriorate with long
exposure to sun, and rain and are not recommended for
regular outdoor use. They may be used on porches,
protected from rain and direct sun. Marine varnish may
add protection if exposed to weather.

Outdoor Wood Furniture--Care and Cleaning

Redwood
Care

Redwood naturally resists weathering and rot.
However it should be coated with a sealer to keep out
moisture and thus retard cracks. Colored sealers restore
redness to grayed redwood. Scrub with detergent and
water, rinse, and dry thoroughly before sealing;
sometimes sanding is also necessary.

In winter, cover and store in a sheltered area.

Cleaning

Wipe with a sudsy sponge, followed by a damp sponge.

Before storing, and when needed, scrub with detergent
suds, rinse, and dry.
For grease and soot stains as from outdoor cooking,
wash with solution of 1 cup tri sodium phosphate in 1
gallon water, and rinse. Reseal as needed.

Finished White Wood

This is used for camp stools, directors chairs, parts
of some metal frame chairs.

Care

Seal completely with penetrating sealer for exterior
use. May also coat with exterior varnish. If cracks
develop in finish, refinish to prevent mildew from
moisture getting in. Store indoors when not in use
outdoors. Do not leave out in rain.

Cleaning

Wipe with damp cloth and dry, when soiled, and before
storing. On painted wood, can wash with mild detergent
solution, rinse, and dry.
Unfinished White Wood
Used for "rustic" furniture, tables, benches, etc.

Care
Treat with exterior penetrating stain containing wood
preservative and mildew inhibitor. Soak bottom 4 inches
of legs that touch ground in wood preservative, or shield
with thin aluminum covering. Cover and store in sheltered
area in winter.

Cleaning
Wash with detergent solution rinse and dry when
soiled, and before storing.