How to Clean Plastic Outdoor Furniture

How to Clean Plastic Outdoor Furniture

Follow these steps to clean plastic outdoor furniture, remove dirt and stains, and restore it to a like-new condition.

Outdoor furniture can take a beating in any season. If the furniture that used to decorate your patio has become a mess or an eyesore, it is time to clean it. Follow these steps, and your plastic outdoor furniture will be clean and look like new in no time.

1. Remove cushions or non-plastic parts. If the furniture has any cushions or covers that are fabric or not plastic, remove them from the patio furniture. Toss any washable fabrics into the washer to remove dirt or weather debris.
2. Hose off debris and loose dirt. Use the garden hose to spray all sides of the furniture, including the bottom. Remove any dirt and yard debris that has accumulated. This is a great time to inspect the furniture for broken pieces or sharp edges and to schedule repairs if needed.
3. Mix OxiClean with hot water. Gather OxiClean or another bleach-based cleaner and combine it with hot water in a bucket. Stir so the mixture is combined.
4. Wipe the solution onto all plastic surfaces. Use a sponge to liberally wipe the solution over all surfaces. Make sure to wipe the corners and creases well so the solution comes into contact with all the surfaces and can begin cleaning.
5. Let the solution sit for thirty minutes. Leave the furniture alone while you start working on another piece of furniture. Let the solution work to oxidize and bleach the gunk and debris stuck on your patio furniture.
6. Rinse and scrub any stained areas. Use the hose and a scrub brush to rinse the solution off the furniture while you scrub any stains that are stubborn and difficult to remove.
7. Repeat as necessary. Depending on how long you waited between cleanings and how long the outdoor furniture was left out in the elements, you may need several attempts before your patio furniture is sparkling clean. If these steps don't work the first time, try wiping down with the cleaning solution a second time.
8. Let clean furniture dry in the sun. Once the plastic patio furniture is clean, it needs to dry. Set the pieces out in the sun to dry for several hours. Then, if you want, consider spraying them with an outdoor finish paint to protect against future staining.

Outdoor furniture doesn't have to be dirty. It can be as clean and inviting as your indoor furniture if you are willing to try these steps to clean plastic outdoor furniture.