How to Clean Patio Furniture
Gently scrub soft woods with an ammonia and white vinegar solution., Sand hard woods., Put a fresh finish on hard woods., Use a mild soap, water, and a wax paste on wicker., Care for teak with teak-specific products.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Gently scrub soft woods with an ammonia and white vinegar solution.
Use a soft bristled scrub brush to scrub a mixture made up of ¼ ammonia, two tablespoons of white vinegar, and one quart of water onto cedar, pine, or redwood.
Afterward, rinse with a garden hose and let the wood dry in the sun.
You can also purchase wood cleaners or brighteners at the store if you prefer this to creating your own solution. -
Step 2: Sand hard woods.
Patio furniture made of hard woods such as cherry and oak benefit from an annual sanding.You can either do this by hand or by using a palm sander.
Use sandpaper with medium grit if you’re removing scratches or old finishes and use fine grit if you’re just doing a lighter routine sanding., After you sand the furniture, apply a fresh coat of protective finish, such as a polyurethane coating or an oil stain.As an alternative, you could apply a quality exterior primer and then top with an exterior latex or oil-based paint to protect your furniture from UV rays., Start by spraying your wicker patio furniture with a garden hose or pressure washer.
If the wicker still seems dirty, use an oil-based soap or dish soap and rub with a sponge and cold water.
After it dries naturally, apply a paste wax to keep the wicker shiny and water-resistant., Buy teak cleaner and follow the directions on the container for the best results.
After cleaning, apply a special teak protector, teak oil, or teak sealer to maintain the natural brown of new teak.
If you want to make your own teak cleaning solution, apply a mixture of a quarter cup laundry detergent, one gallon of water, and one quart of bleach.
Let the mixture sit on the furniture for ten or twenty minutes and then scrub it with a soft brush and rinse it off with a hose. -
Step 3: Put a fresh finish on hard woods.
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Step 4: Use a mild soap
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Step 5: and a wax paste on wicker.
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Step 6: Care for teak with teak-specific products.
Detailed Guide
Use a soft bristled scrub brush to scrub a mixture made up of ¼ ammonia, two tablespoons of white vinegar, and one quart of water onto cedar, pine, or redwood.
Afterward, rinse with a garden hose and let the wood dry in the sun.
You can also purchase wood cleaners or brighteners at the store if you prefer this to creating your own solution.
Patio furniture made of hard woods such as cherry and oak benefit from an annual sanding.You can either do this by hand or by using a palm sander.
Use sandpaper with medium grit if you’re removing scratches or old finishes and use fine grit if you’re just doing a lighter routine sanding., After you sand the furniture, apply a fresh coat of protective finish, such as a polyurethane coating or an oil stain.As an alternative, you could apply a quality exterior primer and then top with an exterior latex or oil-based paint to protect your furniture from UV rays., Start by spraying your wicker patio furniture with a garden hose or pressure washer.
If the wicker still seems dirty, use an oil-based soap or dish soap and rub with a sponge and cold water.
After it dries naturally, apply a paste wax to keep the wicker shiny and water-resistant., Buy teak cleaner and follow the directions on the container for the best results.
After cleaning, apply a special teak protector, teak oil, or teak sealer to maintain the natural brown of new teak.
If you want to make your own teak cleaning solution, apply a mixture of a quarter cup laundry detergent, one gallon of water, and one quart of bleach.
Let the mixture sit on the furniture for ten or twenty minutes and then scrub it with a soft brush and rinse it off with a hose.
About the Author
Jerry Powell
Specializes in breaking down complex home improvement topics into simple steps.
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