The Complete Guide to Cleaning Patio Furniture

You can clean most patio furniture with soap and water. A pressure washer with 1200 to 1350 psi is useful on a low setting for cleaning many types of patio furniture, as you can read in our guides to cleaning Plastic Lawn Chairs and Wrought-Iron Furniture. Read on to see gentler cleaning methods for specific types of patio furniture.

Wicker Patio Furniture

You can clean wicker patio furniture using a hose or pressure washer. Simply remove the cushions and spray off dirt and spills. If the wicker is especially dirty, use a sponge, mild soap, and cold water to wash.

Wood Patio Furniture

If your wood patio furniture has been coated with an exterior-grade varnish, it can be cleaned using soapy water. Be sure to completely rinse away suds with clean water and then allow the patio furniture to dry completely. Teak is the most popular type of wood furniture because it’s easy to maintain. Get the full rundown in How to Clean and Care for Teak Furniture.

Fabric Outdoor Furniture

Furniture such as hammocks and cloth chairs should be machine-washed using the gentle cycle. Add the appropriate amount of bleach to the wash cycle for white items and hang them outside to dry. For larger outdoor furniture pieces that can’t be machine-washed, check out our specific care instructions in How to Clean Canvas Furniture.

Apply a paste wax to the frame of your patio outdoor furniture to keep it shiny and water resistant. If you shop specifically for weather-resistant wicker furniture, that makes upkeep even easier. For wood, make sure you use a product that won’t ruin the varnish. Many wood-friendly protective pastes and waxes are available to keep patio sets clean. For tips on protecting furniture fabrics from mildewing, read How to Waterproof Fabric Outdoor Furniture.

Store patio furniture cushions indoors and keep frames covered during the off-season. Just one rainstorm can make outdoor cushions unusable. If they’re caught in the rain, hang patio furniture cushions out in the sun to dry off. Outdoor wood furniture, with the exception of teak and cedar, should be stored indoors during the winter. The same goes for fabric furniture. Umbrellas, especially, require maintenance after being in storage. Read How to Store a Patio Umbrella for Winter for details.

Patio furniture covers need washing, and umbrella-frame joints need oiling. Wash covers using a soft-bristled brush, mild soap, and cold water. Use a spray lubricant on the joints of a wire-frame umbrella. If you have a wood-frame umbrella, use paste wax to restore its shine. Once the summer season is back, wash outdoor furniture covers and place them back on the frames. To avoid shrinkage, stretch covers over the frame before the fabric is completely dry.