How To Protect and Clean Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture –be it a wicker or Rattan patio, compliments well with the garden/outdoor elements. No doubt, patio furnishings look great, but protecting them from wind, rain and direct sunlight is equally important. Over time, weather can do severe damage to your outdoor furniture, especially during sunny days.So, it is imperative for you to protect your outdoor furnishings and prevent rust and rot as soon as possible. The thorough cleaning of the patio area, including the furniture, has become even more crucial when you are at the end of your lease agreement period. You need to be very careful while cleaning your rental premises. For best outcomes, you can also hire trained professionals for a detailed end of lease cleaning in Melbourne. They know how to transform the dirty apartment into a sparkling living space. Even they know to clean your outdoor furniture using biodegradable cleaning products. In any case, you want to protect and clean your patio furniture on your own to save those extra bucks, have a look at the following tips. So, let’s get started!

Simple Tips to Clean Outdoor Furniture

Whether your furniture is covered or not, make sure you clean it frequently to remove rot and dirt. For that, you can pick a sunny day and get your hands into the patio furniture cleaning process. Prepare a non-toxic solution at home by mixing dish soap and warm water in an empty spray bottle. With the help of the sponge and this mixture, you can remove the tough stains and grime. So, let’s unveil the patio furniture cleaning process:

1. Wash Cushion Covers

So, start the cleaning process by removing cushions from your patio furniture. If you have zippered pillow covers, then wash them in the machine to get rid of dust, stain and grime. In case, your cushion covers can’t be washed, then remove the dust using a vacuum cleaner. To remove stains, gently scrub the affected area using a soft brush and mild dishwashing soap and warm water solution. Note: Hose off and let it dry to prevent mould and mildew growth. You can also hire professional cleaners in Melbourne who will do the complicated cleaning chores for you at the best price.

2. Wipe Down Hard Surfaces of your Furniture

This step is all about cleaning the hard surfaces of wicker aluminium, plastic and cast-iron patio furniture. So, immerse the microfiber cloth in a mixture of hot water and mild dishwashing soap and wipe down the hard surfaces to get rid of accumulated dust, dirt, rot, rust and grime. Don’t forget to rinse it by hosing off.

3. Use Oil to fix cracks

Sometimes, changes in weather could cause teak to crack. If you want to prevent your patio furniture, then clean it up using an oil-based soap and a soft brush. Scrub the surface gently with the brush and rinse it by hosing off. This is an important step as it can help you prevent your furniture from getting damaged.

4. Vacuum the Outdoor Furniture

For heavy and larger furniture, you can use your vacuum cleaner to get rid of embedded dust and dirt from the small crevices. This will help you remove built-up dust from the fibres of your outdoor furniture. Note: Attach a soft-bristle brush to the heavy-duty vacuum cleaners for deep-cleaning of your furniture.

5. Apply Furniture Sunscreen

Protect your patio furniture from direct sun rays/UV rays as it can seriously damage the surface of your furnishings. If you have plastic or metal furniture, use an even coast of outdoor furniture protector. If you have wooden furniture, apply oil paint that can protect it from the sun rays. The paint works like sunscreen and protects it from discolouration.

Note:

Don’t forget to wear rubber gloves and apply it with a paintbrush. Follow this method to remove build-up dust, dirt, and grime from your expensive patio furniture. Make sure you plan this ahead so that you can arrange all cleaning supplies on time. For professional service, hire the best cleaning company in Melbourne.

Homemade Cleaners for Different Types of Outdoor Furniture

From Teak to Wicker, Rattan to Wrought Iron, outdoor furniture comes in various materials. To make them look clean and shiny, you need to follow the different cleaning methods. So, here is the list of homemade cleaners for each type of patio furniture:

1. Wicker Furniture

Since wicker furniture is made from a plant called rattan, it doesn’t require deep cleaning. You can remove dust and grime easily using a homemade cleaning agent.

• 1/3 cup ammonia
• 1 cup Warm Water
• 2-3 tablespoon White Vinegar

• Vacuum Clean the wicker furniture to collect dust and dirt particles from the crevices.
• For heavily soiled areas and stains, apply this solution on the surface of the furniture and dab it using a microfiber cloth.
• Use a sponge to get rid of embedded stain or rust.
• Rinse it off and let dry.

Teak is a wood which is perfect for your outdoor furniture because it is durable and doesn’t require much care. To protect teak furniture, you will be needed a good quality teak oil. This will sustain the natural form of furniture for years. If you are looking for some natural ways to treat rot, rust and mould, then consider this cleaning recipe:

• 1 cup chlorine beach
• 1 mild dishwashing detergent
• 1 gallon warm water

Tip: Apply the solution using a soft-bristle brush instead of using a metal brush as it could damage the surface of the furniture. This is one of the most stylish and trending patio furnishings in Melbourne. It tends to be more expensive than plastic furniture – thanks to its durable nature. It lasts longer and looks beautiful in the garden. In order to prevent rust and stains, you can prepare this solution at home and ensure its longevity:

• ¼ cup mild detergent
• 1 gallon lukewarm water

Tip: Wipe off the surface of your furniture with a damped sponge. Don’t forget to remove the excess water to prevent rust growth. Plastic furniture is durable, easy to maintain and can be cleaned in minutes. Plus, it is affordable and has the potential to resist rust and rot. For the thorough cleaning of your plastic furniture, have a look at its homemade cleaning recipe:

• ½ cup of Baking soda
• ½ cup of dishwashing detergent
• 1 gallon water

Tip: Apply this solution on the affected area and scrub off the hard to reach areas using an old toothbrush. It is the eco-friendly furniture that is beautiful, durable and lightweight. However, cleaning this type of material is a tricky job. With the help of the following solution, you can bring back the lost shine of your rattan furniture:

• 1 cup mild dishwashing detergent
• 1 gallon of warm water

• Damp the microfiber cloth in the solution.
• Wipe off the surface of the furniture
• Avoid excess wetting as it could damage the material
• Clean the hard to reach areas using an old toothbrush.

These are some great tips that will help you maintain the durability of your expensive outdoor furniture for years. You can protect and clean your patio furniture using these methods and homemade cleaning solutions. If you are moving out of your rental apartment and want to secure your full bond money, then opt for the best end of lease cleaning in Melbourne. Professionally-trained cleaners come fully-equipped with advanced techniques and tools to help you impress your landlord during the final inspection of the property.