How To Care For Your Patio Furniture

[Updated on 1 March 2025] Patio furniture should always last generations, but depending on the quality and the material. Some of it needs more care than others. To keep your patio furniture looking as good as the day you bought it, you need to know how to take care of it. Here, you will find the best way to care for and preserve your patio furniture, no matter the material, from plastic to hardwood and everything in between.

General Patio Furniture Care Tips

If you live in a place where the weather gets wet and cold for part of the season, it’s a good idea to store them somewhere dry during the winter. Even the toughest material can be ravaged by the cold.
Always read the manufacturer’s guidelines for patio furniture care.
It’s harder than it sounds, but try to protect your outside furniture from severe weather. Things like hail and high winds will damage anything when given a chance.

Material-Specific Care Tips

Wrought Iron

Regularly clean your wrought iron furniture with soap and water to clean off everyday dirt and grime. Always allow the furniture to air dry in the sun. Remember that wrought iron is metal and will get hot when left in the sun.
Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive materials to clean your wrought iron. If they strip the paint from the wrought iron, they leave it exposed to corrosion and rust.
If you touch the furniture in any way while wearing sunscreen or bug spray. It is important to clean it as soon as you can afterward.
If you live in a climate that is cold and wet, it is critical to make sure that your furniture is completely drained of water and dry before storing it for the season.
If your wrought iron does have spots of rust, don’t freak out. Small rust spots are easily fixed. Your first step is to try to get rid of it physically with a wire brush or sandpaper. Light rust can often be brushed away. If the spot is a little more stubborn, treat it with phosphoric acid. It will change the composition of the rust into crusty, black, iron phosphate and allow you to brush away the flakes. After you brush away the flakes, clean the chair as you usually would with soap and water.
Once the furniture is clean, apply furniture or car wax and let it dry to add an extra layer of protection against the elements.

Wicker

For daily upkeep of wicker furniture the best thing you can do is to vacuum it using the brush attachment to keep dirt out of the weaves.
For stains or more stubborn dirt, you can use a mild dish detergent mixed with water and a washcloth or toothbrush to brush away the grime. If it is natural, the wicker always waits until it is completely dry to add weight to it. Otherwise, the material will warp permanently.
Always allow your furniture to dry completely in a sunny spot to prevent the growth of mildew.
Wicker is popular outdoor furniture, but if it is too hot or too cold, it can become brittle or warp. If the temperature threatens to go to either extreme, it is best to pull your furniture inside.
Inspect your wicker patio furniture regularly to make sure that the weave is tight, and it is not shifting out of place. If you notice that the weave has moved, just slide it back to where it is supposed to be with your finger.

Aluminum

Aluminum doesn’t rust, which is one of the reasons why it is such a popular material for outdoor patio furniture.
Cleaning aluminum furniture is often more about the finish than it is about metal. If your furniture is painted, use a cleaner that is appropriate for that paint.
The easiest way to clean this furniture is with a pressure washer, just spray it down, and you’re done.
If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can wash it with a mixture of soap and water or a water and vinegar mix.
Rinse the furniture down with fresh water when you’re done.
Wipe it down with a dry towel or let it air dry, but know that aluminum furniture left in the sun tends to get very hot.
When the furniture is dry, wipe it with a car or furniture wax to help protect the furniture from weather damage.

Plastic

The best way to clean recycled plastic furniture is to spray it down with a power washer.
If you don’t have a power washer, soap and water will do.
Unlike other materials, plastic is tough, so you can use a hard-bristled brush to get a deep clean, especially in the textured crevices.
Rinse with a hose to wash away all the dirt you dig out of those areas.
Rinse with a hose to wash away all the dirt you dig out of those areas.
You can leave it in the sun to dry or wipe it down with a towel if you want to use I right away.

Softwood

Softwood is easily damaged, so it is vital to take care when cleaning it.
For everyday cleaning, mix a solution of ¼ ammonia, two tablespoons white vinegar, and four cups of water.
Scrub the wood with a soft-bristled brush using this solution then rinse it down with fresh water.
Allow the furniture to dry in direct sunlight.
Softwoods are not as resilient as hardwood. So, it is important to seal or paint your furniture once or twice a year.

Hardwood

The best way to clean hardwood furniture is with an over the counter cleaner explicitly meant for hardwood. Follow the directions on the bottle for best results.
Rinse the chair when you are done to remove any residue.
For light cleaning or in case of an emergency, you can use a mixture of dish soap and water and a soft-bristle brush.
Hardwood will gray over time due to sun exposure. It is not a great idea to stain hardwood because it locks in healthy oils in the wood.
To prevent graying and help the overall look and feel of your chair, you can rub in teak or other hardwood oil twice a year to give it more life.

Glass

Add enough dish soap to the water to make it sudsy.
Use a microfiber or other cloth that is soft and lint-free.
Rinse the tabletop and legs with a hose or bucket of freshwater.
Allow the table to dry in the sun.
After the top dries, use white vinegar or glass cleaner for a streak-free shine.

Cushions

Many cushions have a zippered cover on them so they can be removed and sent through the washing machine.
If your cushions have a mildew scent, add a cup of color-safe bleach to the wash.
Vinyl cushions should be wiped down with soap and water and rinsed before being air-dried.
Acrylics should first be washed with soap and water. If that doesn’t work, combine one cup of bleach, one cup laundry detergent and a gallon of water for a stronger stain-fighting solution.
Always dry any fabric as soon as possible to prevent mold and mildew.
If cushions ever fray, you should always cut the threads instead of pulling them.

Comparison Table: Best Cleaning Methods by Material

Material	Best Cleaning Method	Protection Tips	Storage Recommendations
Wrought Iron	Soap & water	Wax coat for rust prevention	Keep dry before storing
Wicker	Vacuum & mild soap	Avoid direct sunlight	Store in a temperature-controlled space
Aluminum	Pressure wash or soap & water	Wax coat for UV protection	Dry completely before storing
Plastic	Power wash or soap & brush	Use UV protectant spray	Store indoors in winter
Softwood	Ammonia-vinegar solution	Seal or paint yearly	Keep out of rain
Hardwood	Hardwood-specific cleaner	Apply teak oil twice a year	Store in a dry, shaded area
Glass	Soap & microfiber cloth	Use coasters to prevent scratches	Cover to avoid dust buildup
Cushions	Machine wash (if removable)	Dry in sunlight to prevent mildew	Store in a dry space

FAQ’s

Q1. How often should I clean my patio furniture?

It varies depending on usage frequency and climate. As a general rule, clean your furniture every month to avoid dirt build-up. In high-humidity or heavy rain areas, clean every two weeks to prevent mold and rust.

Q2. Can I leave my patio furniture outside all year?

It depends on the material. Furniture made of metal and hardwood can take a little exposure, but plastic, wicker and softwood need to be kept indoors or covered in severe weather.

Q3. What’s the best way to prevent rust on metal patio furniture?

Keep it dry after cleaning.
Use auto wax to provide a protective layer.
Before winter storage, spray with a rust-resistant product.
Keep in a dry space in rainy seasons.

Q4. How do I get rid of mold on patio cushions?

In a spray bottle, mix 1 cup vinegar + 1 cup warm water.
Spritz on smelly stretches and allow to sit 15 minutes.
Gently scrub with a brush and rinse with water.
Make sure to dry thoroughly in direct sunlight to avoid mildew.

Q5. Can I repaint my patio furniture?

Yes! The most common patio furniture materials are wood, metal and plastic that can all be repainted. Apply a weatherproof outdoor paint to better seal the wood. You may want to add a primer coat to help with paint adhesion.

Q6. How do I keep my patio furniture from fading in the sun?

Protect outdoor furniture and cushions with UV sprays.
Stash furniture in shady spots or bring outside umbrellas.
Periodically rotate cushions and other furniture to expose them more evenly to the sun.

Final Thoughts

With regular maintenance, your patio furniture will remain beautiful and long-lasting for years to come. Be it metal, wood, plastic, or wicker, here are some care tips that will help you achieve maximum longevity and minimum repairs.

With a few exceptions, most patio furniture is cleanable with simple soap and water. When it takes a little more, most of those products are on hand or inexpensive and easy to obtain. The great thing about patio furniture care, especially the sweet stuff, is when you put a little bit of work into its upkeep, it repays you by staying nice for years.