How to Clean Outdoor Furniture: Pro Guide by Material
Outdoor furniture lives outside all day. Sun, rain, dust, salt, food, and sunscreen all build up fast. Without a plan, finishes fade, fabrics stain, and hardware corrodes. A simple cleaning routine keeps everything looking fresh, extends service life, and reduces replacement costs. This guide shows how to clean outdoor furniture by material. You’ll get clear steps for powder-coated aluminum and stainless steel, synthetic wicker, rope and sling mesh, teak and other hardwoods, plastics, HPL, ceramic, and sintered stone. We also cover cushion care, stain removal, what to avoid, and maintenance schedules for high-use spaces like hotels, resorts, and restaurants. The methods use mild products, soft tools, and short dwell times so staff can work fast and safely. We keep this practical and specific. Use plain cleaners. Use soft tools. Rinse well. Dry fully. Work by material. Test first. That is the core. Create a cleaning station. Pick a shaded area with drainage and air flow. Lay down mats to keep legs off dirt. Gather these items: Bucket, spray bottles, garden hose with a gentle nozzle Mild dish soap, white vinegar, oxygen bleach, and baking soda Microfiber cloths, soft sponge, soft bristle brush, small detailing brush Rubber gloves, eye protection for bleach use Clean towels for drying Always test new solutions on a small hidden area. Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia. Label spray bottles so staff know what is inside. Rinse first to lift grit. Wash with mild soap and warm water. Agitate with a soft sponge or brush. Rinse until the water runs clear. Dry with a towel or allow to air dry in shade. Avoid direct mid-day sun while cleaning because it can flash-dry soap and leave residue. Powder coat protects aluminum from oxidation. Stainless steel (304 or 316) resists rust, but tea staining can appear in coastal air. Salt, chlorine, and acidic residues cause trouble if left on the surface. Routine clean Rinse dust and grit. Wash with warm water and a small dose of mild dish soap. Use a soft sponge. Work top to bottom. Rinse well. Towel dry to avoid water spots. Stains and marks For light scuffs on a coated surface, try a drop of dish soap and a damp microfiber cloth. For stubborn marks, use a non-abrasive cleaner marked safe for powder coat. Do not use abrasive pads. Do not use scouring powders. Oxidation and corrosion control If a chip exposes bare metal, clean and dry the spot. Apply touch-up paint as soon as possible. In coastal or pool areas, rinse frames weekly with fresh water to remove salt and chlorine. Check stainless fasteners for tea staining. A dedicated stainless cleaner can help. Avoid steel wool and harsh solvents. What to avoid No acetone. No lacquer thinner. No wire brushes. No high-pressure spray close to welds or joints. PE wicker strands include UV inhibitors. Dirt collects in the texture. Oils from sunscreen and food cling to grooves. Routine clean Vacuum or brush the weave to remove grit. Mix soap and warm water in a spray bottle. Mist the surface. Wait two minutes. Brush along the strand direction with a soft brush. Rinse from several angles to flush out soap. Air dry. Deep clean For sticky residue, use a mild soap solution with a soft sponge. For shaded, damp zones where algae may form, use a diluted vinegar wipe, then rinse well. Keep the furniture in airflow while drying. What to avoid Do not use pressure washers at close range. Do not use stiff brushes. Do not use solvent cleaners that can dull the surface. These textiles include polyester, olefin, and PVC-coated yarns (often called Textilene). They resist UV and moisture but can hold surface grime. Routine clean Stains Use oxygen bleach per label on light-colored slings or rope if the fabric care allows it. For oils, pre-treat with a drop of dish soap. For mildew on rope or webbing, try a vinegar solution first, then rinse well. What to avoid Do not use solvent spot removers. Do not scrub with stiff bristles. Avoid high-heat drying. Solution-dyed yarns lock color into the fiber. They resist fading and hold up to repeated cleanings. Many covers are removable. Always check the label. Routine clean Brush or vacuum loose dirt. Mix mild soap with warm water. Apply with a soft sponge. Work in small sections. Rinse until the water runs clear. Air dry. Stand cushions on edge to drain. Stain removal Sunscreen and oils: Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch to absorb. Wait 30 minutes. Brush off. Wash with dish soap and warm water. Rinse well. Mildew: Start with a vinegar solution and a soft brush. Rinse. If needed and care allows, use a diluted chlorine bleach solution after saturating the fabric with water. Keep dwell time short. Rinse until fully clear. Food and beverage: Treat fresh spills fast. Blot. Apply soapy water. Rinse. Machine washing If the label says machine washable, close zippers. Wash on gentle with mild detergent. Do not use fabric softeners. Air dry to maintain fit. What to avoid No harsh solvents. No hot dryers. No undiluted bleach on colored fabrics. Always pre-wet before any bleach step and rinse very well. Teak contains natural oils. It can weather to a silver-grey patina. Dirt, pollen, and sunscreen cause dark marks. Mildew forms in damp shade. Routine clean Rinse to lift grit. Apply warm water and mild soap with a soft brush. Scrub along the grain. Rinse. Air dry in shade. Deeper issues For dark spots from mildew, use a wood-safe cleaner or a mild bleach solution diluted in plenty of water. Pre-wet the wood. Apply the solution with a soft brush. Keep contact time short. Rinse until water runs clear. Allow full dry before reuse. If you want to keep the golden color, use a teak sealer as directed. Avoid frequent sanding. Spot sand only when needed, then reseal. What to avoid Do not use high-pressure washing. Do not leave strong chemicals on the surface. Do not scrub across the grain. These surfaces resist weather but hold onto greasy fingerprints and airborne grime. Routine clean Wash with warm water and mild soap. Use a soft sponge. Rinse and towel dry. Stains Use a baking soda paste for scuffs. Rinse well. For chalky film, try a diluted vinegar wipe. Rinse again. What to avoid No acetone. No gasoline. No aggressive solvents. Avoid abrasive powders. These tops resist heat and scratching, but acidic spills can etch natural stone. HPL prefers pH-neutral cleaners. Routine clean Wipe loose dust. Use a pH-neutral cleaner or mild soap with warm water. Wipe with a soft cloth. Rinse. Dry to prevent water marks. Stains Sticky residues lift with soapy water and a soft nylon pad rated non-scratch. For mineral rings, use a dedicated scale remover that is safe for the substrate, then rinse well. What to avoid Avoid acidic cleaners on stone unless labeled safe. No abrasive powders. No blades that can score the surface. Tree sap on frames or resin: Freeze with ice in a bag. Lift gently with a plastic scraper. Wash with soapy water. Rinse. Rust transfer from metal decor: Try soapy water first. If marks remain on powder coat, use a non-abrasive cleaner rated for coated metals. Bird droppings: Remove fast. Rinse. Soap wash. Rinse again. Droppings are acidic. Algae on weave or sling: Vinegar wipe. Rinse well. Improve airflow and sun exposure. Do not use harsh solvents. Do not mix chemicals. Do not use stiff wire brushes. Do not blast with a pressure washer at close range. Do not leave soap on the surface to dry. Do not ignore salt spray in coastal sites or chlorine mist near pools. Weekly in season Monthly Seasonal Coastal and pool environments Use fitted covers during long idle periods or overnight in dusty sites. Store cushions dry and upright. Keep furniture off soil and away from standing water. In windy areas, secure light pieces or group them under weighted tables. Covers prevent UV and dirt accumulation and make weekly cleaning faster. Wear gloves for chemical handling. Keep eyewash and fresh water close when using bleach. Never mix vinegar and bleach. Label every bottle. Train staff on dwell times and rinse steps. Provide shade and hydration during outdoor work. We can supply maintenance cards matched to each product family. Cards list approved cleaners and the right tools. We can include fitted covers in your purchase order. We can ship touch-up kits for powder-coated frames. We can specify sling and rope care steps during handover. If you run multi-site properties, we can standardize this program across locations so the results match. How often should we clean outdoor furniture? Can we pressure wash? How do we remove mildew from cushions? Can we machine-wash cushion covers? What cleaners should we avoid? How do we handle teak that turned grey? What is the best way to prevent stains? Rinse. Wash with mild soap and warm water. Agitate with soft tools. Rinse until clear. Dry with towels or in shade. Spot-treat stains by material. Use covers and storage to prevent buildup. Log weekly, monthly, and seasonal tasks. If you manage a hotel, resort, or restaurant group, we can build a cleaning and maintenance schedule for your exact materials and finishes. We can also kit your team with the right tools and covers. Our goal is simple: keep guest spaces clean, extend service life, and reduce replacement costs. We manufacture outdoor furniture for hospitality and commercial projects worldwide. We offer custom development, high-volume production, and global shipping. Our facility in Foshan manages R&D, design, production, and quality control under one roof. Typical lead times run 7–35 days. Our standard warranty is 5 years. If you need help identifying the material mix on an existing order, contact our team and we will map the correct cleaning method to each component.A short promise before we start
Tools and setup
General method that fits most materials
Metal frames: powder-coated aluminum and stainless steel
Synthetic wicker (PE rattan) and resin weaves
Rope, webbing, and sling mesh
Brush off loose dust. Wash with warm water and mild soap. Use a soft brush to lift dirt through the mesh. Rinse until clear. Dry upright so water drains.Cushions and removable covers (solution-dyed acrylic or polyester)
Teak and other hardwoods
Plastics and recycled polymer (PP/HDPE)
HPL, ceramic, and sintered stone tabletops
Quick spot guide
What not to do
Maintenance schedules for hotels, resorts, and restaurants
Rinse frames and tabletops. Wipe armrests and table edges with soapy water. Rinse and dry. Brush or vacuum cushions. Flip or rotate. Check glides and levelers under legs to prevent wobble. This keeps guest areas ready and reduces deep cleaning time.
Detail clean crevices with a small brush. Check bolts and fasteners for tightness. Inspect powder coat for chips and touch up as needed. Inspect sling tension and rope joins. Treat stains before they set.
Do a full deep clean before peak season and again at season's end. Reapply teak sealer if used. Wash or launder removable cushion covers per label. Inspect umbrellas, canopies, and hardware. Replace worn glides and caps. Review inventory and plan replacements for high-wear items.
Rinse frames with fresh water every week. Salt and chlorine increase corrosion and finish wear. Keep this routine to extend service life.Storage, covers, and daily protection
Health and safety for staff
How we support your team
FAQs
Do light cleaning weekly in season and deep cleaning at least twice per year. Coastal and pool decks need extra rinses.
Use caution. Keep distance and low pressure on hard, non-porous surfaces only. Do not pressure wash wood, wicker, or fabrics.
Start with a vinegar solution. Rinse well. If the care label allows, use diluted chlorine bleach after pre-wetting the fabric. Rinse until fully clear and air dry.
If the label says yes. Close zippers. Wash on gentle with mild detergent. Air dry to maintain fit.
Avoid acetone, lacquer thinner, harsh solvents, and abrasive powders. Avoid unknown “all-purpose” sprays on coated metals or stone.
Grey patina is normal. Clean with soap and water. If you want the golden tone, use a teak cleaner and apply a sealer. Avoid frequent sanding.
Rinse and wipe after heavy use days. Use covers. Treat fresh spills at once. Keep furniture away from planter runoff and sprinklers.Final checklist your staff can follow
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