Outdoor Deck Chairs Cleaning Guide - Do It The Right Way

Whether the outdoor deck chairs and table on your patio is made of wrought iron, aluminum, wood or plastic, they take a lot of abuse from the elements such as sun and rain and great changes in temperature.

Following are some tips on how to clean and protect your outdoor deck furniture and keep it looking like new. 

Metal and Wrought Iron Furniture

• In a bucket, mix up a squirt of dish-washing detergent with
  water.

• With a scrub brush scrub the surface.

• Rinse the furniture and allow to dry.

• Remove rusted spots using a wire brush or sandpaper.

• Wipe off metal resides with a clean cloth dampened with
  naphtha.

• Use a primer made for metal to spray bare spots.

• Use a paint made for metal to spray the furniture.

• Allow paint to dry completely before using the outdoor deck
  chairs and tables.

Aluminum Furniture

Preventing Oxidation:

• Apply a coat of automotive paste wax to the surface of the
  furniture.

• Allow it to dry.

• Remove residue and with a clean cloth, polish the surface.

Removing Oxidation:

• Light oxidation can be removed by rubbing the surface with a
  mixture of water and white vinegar.

• To abrade away oxidation, rub the surface with automotive
  polishing compound.

• Clean the surface with dish-washing detergent and water. Use
  a plastic scrubbing sponge. 

Natural Wood Furniture

• Apply a teak cleaner to the wood outdoor deck chairs and
  tables. Follow the product's instructions.

• If you prefer you can apply a mixture of ¼ cup laundry
  detergent and ¼ bleach to 3 liters of water. Allow the mixture to
  stay on the furniture for 10-20 minutes, scrub it with a soft
  bristled brush and rinse with a garden hose.

Plastic and Molded Resin Furniture

• Get a sponge and dip it in warm water (squeeze out any
  excess).

• Sprinkle baking soda on the sponge to serve as a mild
  abrasive.

• Scrub the furniture with the sponge.

• Rinse the furniture with garden hose.

• Allow the furniture to dry. 

Removing mold or mildew:

White furniture

• Make a solution of one cup bleach to one liter water in a
  pump-up spray and apply it on the outdoor porch chairs and tables.

• Leave on for about 10-20 minutes and then rinse with a garden
  rose.

• Allow to dry in the sun.

Colored furniture

• Make a solution of ¼ cup white vinegar to one liter water in
  a pump up spray and apply it on the furniture.

• Leave on for about 10-20 minutes and then rinse with a garden
  rose.

• Allow to dry in the sun.