How to Clean Outdoor Furniture (Because, Yeah, It’s Looking Pretty Gross)

Don’t get us wrong, we love spending time in nature, but when it comes to lounging in an outdoor living space, let’s just say we prefer not to be roughing it. (After all, spider webs, caked on dirt and mold don’t belong on the menu when dining al fresco.) Alas, outdoor furniture can get scuzzy pretty fast and those lounge chairs aren’t going to clean themselves. Fortunately, we got the full scoop on how to clean outdoor furniture from a veritable expert, whether your pieces are made from wood, plastic or metal.

Meet the Expert

Angela Lee is the content manager at Hellamaid, a top-rated, award-winning cleaning company in Ontario, Canada that specializes in residential properties.

Any kind of cleaning is a bit of a chore, which is why you’re probably wondering how often you will need to toil over your outdoor furniture. Well, friends, there’s no cut-and-dry answer to this question—namely because how often you should clean your outdoor furniture comes down to a number of different factors, including frequency of use, the material it's made of and the climate in which you live. (For example, if you live somewhere with high humidity and a lot of rainfall, more frequent cleaning is recommended to keep mold and mildew at bay.)

That said, Lee tells us that a good rule of thumb is to thoroughly clean your outdoor furniture at least once a month and spot clean it as needed. The good news is that the process of cleaning outdoor furniture is pretty straightforward and not as labor intensive as you might think. Read on for a complete guide to cleaning the most common types of outdoor furniture.

• Soft-bristled brush
• Bucket of warm water
• Mild dish soap or specialized wood cleaner
• Garden hose or spray bottle
• Clean towels or cloths
• Sandpaper (if needed)
• Wood sealant or protector (optional)

1. Remove any cushions or accessories from the wicker furniture.
2. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently remove any loose dirt, dust, or debris from the surface of the furniture. If cleaning wicker furniture, take extra care not to scratch the wicker strands or weave.
3. Mix a small amount of mild dish soap or wood cleaner with warm water in a bucket.
4. Dip the brush in the soapy water and gently scrub the furniture, paying attention to any areas with stubborn stains or dirt buildup. Be sure to scrub in the direction of the grain for wood furniture and in circular motions for wicker.
5. Rinse the furniture with a garden hose or spray bottle filled with clean water. Make sure to remove all the soap and dirt.
6. Use a clean towel or cloth to dry the furniture thoroughly, making sure not to overlook any crevices or hard-to-reach areas where water may have collected.
7. For wood furniture only: If the wood is rough or has developed any splinters, lightly sand the surface with sandpaper to smooth out the wood. Make sure to sand in the direction of the grain.
8. If desired, apply a wood sealant or protector to the surface of the furniture to keep it looking shiny and new.

• Soft-bristled brush
• Bucket of warm water
• Mild dish soap or specialized plastic cleaner
• Garden hose or spray bottle
• Clean towels or cloths

1. Remove any cushions or accessories from the plastic furniture.
2. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently remove any loose dirt, dust, or debris from the surface of the furniture.
3. Mix a small amount of mild dish soap or specialized plastic cleaner with warm water in a bucket. Dip the brush in the soapy water and gently scrub the plastic furniture in circular motions, giving special attention to the extra grimey areas. (Pro tip: The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works wonders on stubborn spots.)
4. Rinse the furniture with a garden hose or spray bottle filled with clean water until no soapy residue or dirt remains.
5. Use a clean towel or cloth to dry the furniture thoroughly, including in crevices and hard-to-reach areas where water may have collected.

• Soft-bristled brush or sponge
• Bucket of warm water
• Mild dish soap or specialized metal cleaner
• Garden hose or spray bottle
• Clean towels or cloths
• Rust remover (if needed)
• Metal paint or sealant (if needed)

1. Remove any cushions or accessories from the metal furniture.
2. Use a soft-bristled brush or sponge to gently remove any loose dirt, dust or debris from the surface of the furniture.
3. Mix a small amount of mild dish soap or specialized metal cleaner with warm water in a bucket.
4. Dip the brush or sponge in the diluted cleaning solution and gently scrub the metal furniture in circular motions. (Needless to say, stubborn stains and areas with a lot of build-up will need extra attention.)
5. Rinse all the soap residue and dirt off the furniture using a garden hose or spray bottle filled with clean water.
6. Dry the furniture thoroughly with a clean towel or cloth, including in crevices and hard-to-reach areas where water may have collected.
7. Stand back and admire your squeaky clean furniture…or go the extra mile and tackle any imperfections by applying a rust remover (as needed and per the manufacturer’s instructions) and metal paint or sealant to touch up any unsightly scuffs and scratches that may be present.

• Vacuum cleaner
• Soft-bristled brush
• Bucket of warm water
• Mild dish soap or fabric-safe, all-purpose cleaner
• Stain remover (if needed)
• Garden hose or spray bottle
• Clean towels or cloths

1. Bust out the vacuum cleaner and get to work removing any loose dirt or debris. If non dirt-related stains are present—like evidence of a red wine spill, for example—a fabric-safe stain remover (see above) can be applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions as a spot treatment before you proceed to step two.
2. Next, mix a small amount of mild dish soap or all-purpose cleaner with warm water in a bucket.
3. Dip the brush in the soapy water and gently scrub the cushions in circular motions. Pay attention to any areas with stubborn stains or dirt buildup.
4. Rinse the cushions thoroughly with a garden hose or spray bottle filled with clean water to remove all remaining dirt and soap residue.
5. Use a clean towel or cloth to gently blot the cushions, removing as much water as possible.
6. Allow the cushions to air dry completely in a well-ventilated area, avoiding direct sunlight.