How to Clean Every Material of Outdoor Furniture and Maintain a Spotless Outdoor Space
From hosting backyard barbecues, lounging by the pool, or sipping coffee on your patio, outdoor furniture plays a huge role in comfort and style of your patio.
But sun, rain, pollen, pets, and general use take a toll on your outdoor investment. That’s why we’ve created this ultimate guide—to help you clean, care for, and preserve every type of outdoor deck furniture, from HDPE poly to woven wicker and teak. Read on to learn what to use to clean off outdoor deck furniture.
🪑 Cleaning Guide by Material Type
Table of Contents
1. HDPE Poly (High-Density Polyethylene)
2. Cast Aluminum
3. Wrought Iron
4. Wicker
5. Resin
6. Marine Grade Polymers (MGP)
7. Teak
8. Lloyd Loom
9. Cypress
10. Bonus Tip - How to Keep Outdoor Furniture Clean Long Term
1. How to Clean Poly Furniture - HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
Furniture Brands: Berlin Gardens, DuraWeather Poly, Daybreak Outdoor, Highwood USA, Uwharrie Chair Company, Amish Poly Outdoor Furniture, Polywood, Trex Outdoor Furniture, Seaside Casual SERWALL, Zhusi, Greenvines and other brands.
What it is: A durable, weather-resistant plastic used in poly lumber furniture made from recycled plastic (plastic milk jugs).
Poly Outdoor Furniture (All colors except for White):
What to Use for Best Results: Berlin Gardens Heavy Duty Xtreme Clean
Home Remedy Mixture: Generic composite deck cleaner at Lowes or Home Depot
Do not use: cleaning products that contain Bleach except on White Poly.
- Apply cleaner and let set for 10 minutes
- Use soft bristle brush or sponge to scrub poly furniture. When completed rinse clean with warm water.
- For resistant stains reapply cleaner let set for 10 minutes then clean using a 1500 PSI high pressure washer. Do not place tip of high pressure washer closer than 8”-12” from the poly furniture to avoid marring the texture of your poly.
How to clean (White Poly Furniture):
What to Use for Best Results: Berlin Gardens Mildew Stain Remover (contains Bleach)
Home Remedy Mixture: You can also use a mixture of 1/3 cup of Outdoor Clorox Bleach, to 2/3 cup of water.
- Apply this mixture or the cleaner and let set for 10 minutes
- Use soft bristle brush or sponge to scrub poly furniture
- Rinse clean with warm water.
- If necessary for intense stains: Reapply cleaner let set for 10 minutes
- Clean using a 1500 PSI high pressure washer. Do not place tip of high pressure washer closer than 8-12” from the poly furniture to avoid marring the texture of your poly.
2. How to Clean Cast Aluminum Outdoor Furniture
Furniture Brands: Hanamint Furniture is made out of powder coated Cast Aluminum. Other brands include: Lane Venture, Castelle, Brown Jordan, Tropitone, Woodard, O.W Lee, Asuzac-ACM, Mallin and other brands .
Cast Aluminum Furniture Frames:
What to Use for Best Results: Mild soap and warm water.
Do not use: Abrasive materials, cleansers or bleach products.
- Apply mixture to frame with wash cloth or sponge (avoid using bristles that can scratch the frame)
- Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly.
- Drain any water accumulated inside the frames by removing the adjuster glides or foot caps from the bottom of the legs.
How to Remove Difficult Stains and Spots from Patio Furniture
What to Use: 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water.
- Apply mixture to frame with wash cloth or sponge (avoid using bristles that can scratch the frame)
- After the frame is completely dry apply a light coating of WD40 by spraying it on a soft cloth and wiping down the frame. This will help protect the frame and can be applied periodically as needed.
Note of Caution: Water allowed to accumulate inside the frames and then exposed to freezing temperatures can cause damage to the frames. Such damage is not covered under warranty. Always clean, drain and dry thoroughly before storing for the winter
3. How to Clean Wrought Iron Patio Furniture
Furniture Brands: Woodard, Meadow Craft, Kettler USA, O.W Lee, Agio, Sunset West, and other brands.
Wrought Iron Furniture:
What to Use: Mild soap and warm water mixture.
Do not use: A power washer on the frames, Harsh chemicals, or Paste Wax.
- Wash frames with your soap and water mixture using a wash cloth or sponge.
- Thoroughly rinse the frames after washing.
For Best Results to Extend the Life of Your Wrought Iron Furniture:
We Recommend Waxing your Frames Twice a Year to ensure a Life-Time of usage
What to Use: Automotive type, clear spray on wax
- Before applying the wax spray, inspect your frames for chips or blemishes that occur from normal use.
- Use touch up paint to repair the chips found in the finish of your furniture.
- Follow the instructions provided on the back of the spray bottle for recommended use.
Note of Caution: Furniture located around salt water, including salt water pools, needs additional cleaning to remove materials that are inherently destructive to out-door finishes. We recommend cleaning your furniture on a weekly basis and apply a spray automotive wax 4 times a year.
4. How to Clean Wicker Outdoor Furniture (Natural and Synthetic)
Furniture Brands: Lloyd Flanders - Loom, Summer Classics, Patio Renaissance, Lane Venture, Sika Design USA, Outdoor Furniture Plus, Brown Jordan, Braxton Culler, Classic Ratton, Wicker Warehouse, American Rattan and other brands.
How to Clean Wicker Furniture:
What to Use: Mild soap and warm water mixture or a weak solution of household cleaner in warm water.
Do not use: A power washer/pressure washer on the frames or harsh chemicals.
- Brush off dust and dirt with a soft brush before
- Take a soft sponge in the cleaning mixture to clean your wicker furniture (using the non abrasive side).
- Dab the furniture dry using a soft cloth.
- For more difficult marks, the wicker furniture manufacturer Lloyd Flanders-Loom recommends scrubbing the area using a soft/medium bristle toothbrush with the cleaning solution.
Pro Tip: Let dry in the sun to prevent mold or mildew buildup.
5. How to Clean Resin Lawn Furniture
Furniture Brands: Telescope Casual, Summer Classics, Berlin Gardens, Keter, Compamia, Adams Manufacturing, Grosfillex, Nardi, Kettler, Forever Patio, Patio Productions and other brands.
How to Clean Resin Furniture:
What to Use for Best Results: Berlin Gardens Heavy Duty Xtreme Clean
Home Remedy Mixture: Mild soap and warm water mixture or generic composite deck cleaner at Lowes or Home Depot.
Do not use: Bleach on furniture pieces that are not white. Always use a mixture of 1/3 cup of Outdoor Clorox Bleach, to 2/3 cup of water.
- Apply cleaner and let set for 10 minutes
- Use soft bristle brush or sponge to scrub poly furniture.
- When completed rinse clean with warm water.
- If necessary reapply cleaner let set for 10 minutes then clean using a 1500 PSI high pressure washer. Do not place tip of high pressure washer closer than 8”-12” from the poly furniture to avoid marring the texture of your poly.
6. How to Clean MGP Outdoor Furniture (Marine Grade Polymer)
Furniture Brands: Telescope Casual, Pool Furniture Supply, Seaside Casual, Trex Outdoor Furniture, Ledge Lounger, and other brands.
How to Clean Marine Grand Polymer Furniture:
What to Use: Mild soap and warm water mixture or common detergents.
Do not use: Teak oil and other products that can stain the finish or Heat sources that exceed 180° F.
- Apply cleaner with a wash cloth or sponge onto the furniture frame.
- Nylon scrub pads and brushes should be used with care, excessive scrubbing can lead to the furniture finish being marred.
- When completed rinse clean with warm water.
- Let air dry in the sun or dry with towel
For Resistant Stains
- Apply bleach and allow to soak in
- Use citrus cleaner, alcohol, or mineral spirits to remove grease or oil stains
- Automotive silicone spray products or household furniture polish can help to hide scratches in the surface
7. How to Clean Teak Outdoor Furniture
Furniture Brands: Summer Classics, Lane Venture, Goldenteak, Westminster Teak, Kingsley Bate, Barlow Tyrie, Gloster and other brands.
How to Clean Teak Wood Outdoor Furniture:
What to Use: Mild soap and warm water mixture
Do not use: Metal brushes (they can scratch the surface) or harsh chemicals (strip the finish).
Do not use Summer Classics Teak Cleaner and Teak Protector on Oyster Teak as they will ruin the finish.
- To wash Teak outdoor furniture apply the soap mixture to the furniture frame with a soft plastic brush (metal brushes can scratch the surface)
- Rinse with warm water
- Let patio furniture dry in the sun
How to Care for Teak Outdoor Furniture
Use the 3-Prong approach from Summer Classics: Clean, Protect, Shield.
Apply Summer Classics Teak Protector to maintain the honey brown color of Natural Teak (this should be used when the teak begins to gray). Then apply Summer Classics Teak Shield to repel water and moisture as well as preventing stains from food or drinks.
8. How to Clean Lloyd Loom
Furniture Brand: Lloyd Loom from Lloyd Flanders
What it is: Outdoor Furniture weave made from Kraft Paper and Steel.
How to Clean Lloyd Loom Furniture:
What to Use: Mild soap and warm water mixture or a weak solution of household cleaner in warm water.
Do not use: A power washer on the frames or harsh chemicals.
- Brush off dust and dirt with a soft brush before
- Take a soft sponge in the cleaning mixture to clean your wicker furniture (using the non abrasive side).
- Dab the furniture dry using a soft cloth.
- For more difficult marks, the wicker furniture manufacturer Lloyd Flanders-Loom recommends scrubbing the area using a soft/medium bristle toothbrush with the cleaning solution.
9. How to Clean Outdoor Wood Furniture
(Cypress, Treated Pine, and other wood furnitures)
Furniture Brands: Hershy Way, All Wood Furniture, Grossie's Cypress Furniture, The Porch Swing Company, usually used by local artisans or amish made.
How to Clean Cypress Outdoor Furniture (and other wood furnitures):
What to Use: Mild soap and warm water mixture
- Remove dirt and loose debris first with a soft bristle brush
- Clean the furniture frame with soap and water using a wash cloth or sponge
- Rinse the furniture completely to avoid soap drying on the finish
- Let the furniture piece air dry
Pro Tip: After cleaning and drying, apply a wood sealant to protect the cypress wood from the elements. This should be applied at least once a year for best results.
10. How to Keep Outdoor Furniture Clean Long Term
- Use Outdoor Furniture Covers when not in use (to protect from the elements)
- Store cushions in water proof storage boxes (use the plastic coverings they came in for added protection)
- Wipe down furniture monthly (when in use)
- Invest in Outdoor Rugs to trap dust and debris before it gets onto your patio furniture (Berlin Gardens amish outdoor furniture has a great selection of small and large outdoor rugs to choose from).
- Apply sealants to wood patio furniture
Quick Summary: Everyday Cleaning for almost all outdoor patio furniture
- On almost all patio furniture it is recommended to use a cleaning mixture of mild soap and warm water.
- Clean your furniture frames and cushions separately
- Apply cleaning mixture to furniture frames with a wash cloth or sponge
- Avoid metal brushes and harsh chemicals
- Rinse furniture completely before air drying
Use the tips in this article to learn how to keep outdoor furniture clean.
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