Tips on Cleaning Garden Furniture
Garden furniture is not only exposed to rapid temperature changes, moisture, heat, etc. but it is also exposed to a great amount of dust and dirt. As a result, outdoor furniture needs to be cleaned more frequently than indoor furniture. Waiting for the dirt to accumulate makes cleaning of garden furniture highly unpleasant and time consuming job. In addition, the dirt may leave stains if the furniture is not cleaned on a regular basis, while removal of stubborn stains can be very expensive. To keep your garden furniture good looking, pick a day in the week and stick to your garden furniture cleaning routine.
How to keep your garden furniture clean depends on the material it is made from. The same methods and cleaning products that are used for one material can cause damage to the other which is why you should strictly follow the instructions of the manufacturer. In most cases, however, you basically need only soapy water, a sponge and hose.
Wooden garden furniture can be made of many types of wood which have very different properties. Despite that soapy water is safe for just about all types of wood. Rinse it well and let it air dry but do not try to accelerate the drying process by exposing it to direct sunlight. Also, make sure that it is completely dry before you put it into place again. Wooden garden furniture that is not made from teak or other type of wood which is resistant to outdoor elements should be stored indoors during the winter.
Metal garden furniture is very easy to keep clean. Again, soapy water and a sponge is all you need to remove the dust and dirt. While you are cleaning it, look for signs of damage to the paint if your metal outdoor furniture is made from aluminium or wrought iron. The manufacturers take care for rust protection before they send metal furniture on the market, however, the protective paint does not last forever. As a result, wrought iron and aluminium garden furniture need to be re-painted from time to time to prevent rusting. If you notice any signs of paint damage, take care of it immediately. But if you have stainless steel garden furniture, you do not need to worry about rusting.
Stone garden furniture is among the most convenient types of outdoor furniture because it does not require any kind of protection against the outdoor elements. It is just as convenient when it comes to cleaning because the dust and dirt including green algae that sometimes grow on stone are simply washed off with soapy water.
Plastic which is also a popular choice for outdoor furniture is perhaps the most challenging of all materials to keep clean, especially if it is not made from quality plastic. Theoretically, plastic is resistant to outdoor conditions, however, it is prone to staining and does not withstand direct sun exposure particularly well. Plastic is initially easily kept clean with soapy water but over time the stains are very difficult to remove, while abrasives and chemical cleaning agents cause damage to the surface.