Patio Furniture Cleaning



One of the most important things to consider when doing any sort of patio furniture cleaning is getting the mixture of the cleaning solution correct. I experimented a few times until I came up with what worked for me in my situation for my patio furniture and I want to pass this along to you because I think what you will find is very similar. There are various pre-mixes on the market along with concentrated soaps, and then I want to give you the way I do this.

Depending on how much furniture you have to clean you can make a big batch of patio furniture cleaning solution. I mix about one teaspoon of cleanser to a quart of water. Make sure your water is warm so you won’t have the solution separating. Mix it well, then find an empty spray bottle and fill it with your first batch. Before you start to use the cleaning solution, make sure your patio furniture is as clean as you can get it.

Using your newly created patio furniture cleaning solution spray down both sides of the cushions. Get a lot of the solution on so that it can soak in really well. If you really soak the cushions and the rest of the furniture now, it will be much easier to get off when you go to clean off the soap and grime later. I sprayed it on and then let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes, about the same time I let the concentrate sit on the floor to clean that patio surface. Just makes sense to let it do its job and I tell you, it comes out a lot nicer and is easier to get clean when you do it this way.

You don’t want to pressure wash the cushions unless you use the pressure washer on a very light setting. So what I’m saying is that you can even use the garden hose to clean these off once the solution has been sitting for 15 minutes or so. It’s incredible how easily the grit comes off. And then, once you’re done with that, I set the cushions up on their side and let them just drip dry. If you can find a sunny spot, good. But if not, choose the best place that gets plenty of air circulating around. Don’t let them dry completely. I have one more trick that helps keep them clean.

To make patio furniture cleaning easier I wait until the cushions are still a tad damp and then spray them with a good fabric protector. There are several good fabric protectors on the market to keep the dampness out and the dirt from penetrating deep.

Remember to buy a good brand of patio furniture cleaning solution which can be made from high quality detergent. Then pick up some fabric protector to keep your job lasting until next spring or fall. It pays to use the right solution and protector so you won’t have to work so hard on your patio cleaning each year.

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