How to Clean Patio Furniture at Home

On this page (8 sections)

1. What supplies do you need to clean patio furniture?
2. How do you wash metal and plastic frames?
3. How should you clean patio cushions and fabric?
4. How do you clean wicker and rattan furniture?
5. How do you remove mildew and tough stains?
6. How should you clean glass tabletops and hardware?
7. How do you dry and protect patio furniture after cleaning?
8. Which routine keeps patio furniture clean longer?

To clean patio furniture at home, wash the frame with mild soap and warm water, rinse it well, and let it dry fully before you sit down. Treat cushions and wicker with gentler methods, then store everything dry so dirt and mildew don't return.

Most outdoor furniture needs only a bucket, a soft brush, a sponge and a hose. The key is matching the method to the material, since a scrub that suits an aluminum frame can ruin a cushion cover or loosen woven wicker.

This guide walks through each type in order, from a routine wash to the tougher stains.

What supplies do you need to clean patio furniture?

A bucket, mild dish soap, warm water, a soft brush, a sponge and a hose cover most jobs. Add a few extras for tougher marks and for drying.

• Mild dish soap or a pH-neutral outdoor cleaner. Avoid bleach and abrasive scouring powders on most finishes.
• A soft-bristled brush. A nylon brush lifts dirt from frames and wicker without scratching.
• Microfiber cloths and a sponge. Good for wiping rails, arms and tabletops.
• A garden hose with a spray nozzle. Low pressure is enough for rinsing.
• White vinegar. Dilute it for mildew and greasy spots on many hard surfaces.

Keep a separate bucket for cushion covers so frame dirt doesn't transfer to fabric. Before you start, move the furniture onto grass or a driveway so runoff doesn't stain a deck.

Check the care label on cushions and the maker's guidance for any coated or painted finish, since some frames call for water only.

How do you wash metal and plastic frames?

Wash metal and plastic frames with soapy water and a soft brush, then rinse and dry them completely. Metal frames are the easiest to clean because most finishes handle water well.

Start at the top and work down so dirty water doesn't run back over clean parts. Dip the brush in the soapy water and scrub the arms, legs and table edges where hands and food touch most.

Rinse with the hose on a gentle spray, then dry with a cloth or leave the furniture in the sun.

For aluminum and powder-coated steel, a mild soap keeps the finish intact. Wrought iron can rust where paint chips, so dry those spots quickly and touch up bare metal.

Plastic resin furniture takes the same wash and can handle a slightly firmer brush on textured surfaces. Wipe the frame dry rather than letting water pool in joints and bolt holes.

How should you clean patio cushions and fabric?

Spot clean most cushions with mild soap and a soft brush, then rinse and air dry them standing on edge. Cushion covers are rarely machine washable, so treat them gently.

Check the tag first. If it says machine washable, follow those instructions and skip the hand method.

Otherwise, mix a few drops of dish soap in warm water, sponge the surface and scrub stains lightly with the brush. Rinse with a clean cloth dipped in water rather than soaking the foam.

Stand cushions on edge in the sun so air moves around both sides. Flip them partway through so the underside dries too.

Mildew shows as dark speckles and usually needs a diluted vinegar mix or an outdoor fabric cleaner. For deeper stains and set-in marks, our patio furniture buying guide explains which fabrics resist water and dirt best when you're choosing replacements.

Which product helps lift set-in cushion stains?

A dedicated outdoor fabric cleaner helps when soap and water leave a mark behind. It's formulated for solution-dyed acrylics and similar outdoor fabrics rather than indoor upholstery.

Test it on a hidden seam first, then blot rather than scrub hard. Rinse the area and let the cushion dry fully before use.

How do you clean wicker and rattan furniture?

Dust wicker with a soft brush and wash it with a barely damp sponge, then dry it out of direct sun. Too much water can loosen weaves and warp natural rattan.

Start by brushing out dust and debris from the crevices. Mix a little mild soap in warm water, wring the sponge until it's nearly dry, and wipe along the weave.

A soft toothbrush reaches tight spots without pressing hard.

Rinse with a clean damp cloth and dry the piece with a towel. Set it in a shaded, airy spot so moisture escapes slowly.

Our guide to types of wicker patio furniture explains how natural rattan, resin wicker and woven blends differ, since resin wicker tolerates more water than natural cane.

Skip the hose on natural wicker. If the weave feels soft or loose, stop washing and let it dry before you use it again.

How do you remove mildew and tough stains?

Treat mildew with a diluted vinegar mix and scrub stains before they set. Act quickly on bird droppings, tree sap and food spills, since fresh marks lift far more easily than old ones.

Mix one part white vinegar with three parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the mark, wait a few minutes, then scrub with the soft brush and rinse.

For greasy spots on hard frames, a little more dish soap in the mix helps.

Avoid bleach on colored fabric and painted finishes unless the maker's care label allows it. Bleach can fade dye and dull powder coating.

For mildew on cushions, use an outdoor fabric cleaner and dry the cushion in the sun, since sunlight itself helps kill mildew spores.

Rinse every cleaned area with plain water so soap residue doesn't attract new dirt. Dry the furniture fully before you use it.

How should you clean glass tabletops and hardware?

Clean glass with a glass cleaner or soapy water and a soft cloth, and wipe metal hardware dry to stop rust. These parts show marks quickly, so a quick wipe keeps the whole set looking cared for.

Spray glass cleaner on a cloth rather than directly on the table so liquid doesn't run into the frame. Wipe in a circular motion and buff with a dry microfiber cloth.

Avoid abrasive pads, which scratch glass and can cloud it.

On hardware, wipe hinges, bolts and handles with a damp cloth and dry them right away. A light coat of oil on exposed steel helps slow rust, but check the maker's guidance first.

Tighten loose bolts while you're at it, since a wobbly frame collects water and dirt in the joints. For seating that's hard to reach or low to the ground, patio furniture for seniors covers designs that are easier to keep clean and use.

How do you dry and protect patio furniture after cleaning?

Let everything dry completely before you stack or cover it, and store cushions indoors when they're wet. Trapped moisture is the main cause of mildew and rust.

Stand chairs and tables in the sun for a few hours after rinsing. Wipe any pooled water from tabletops, seats and joints.

Bring cushions inside or under cover until they're fully dry, then put them back.

A fitted cover keeps dust, pollen and rain off when the furniture sits unused. Leave a small gap for airflow so condensation can escape.

At the end of the season, clean everything, dry it and store cushions in a dry spot.

If your set has seen better days after a few seasons, our Aoxun patio furniture review covers one budget-friendly option to compare against a replacement.

Which product helps keep cushions dry and clean?

A waterproof cushion cover protects fabric between washes and keeps rain from soaking the foam. It's a simple layer that reduces how often you need a deep clean.

Measure your cushions before ordering so the cover fits snugly without trapping water. Let cushions dry before you cover them.

Which routine keeps patio furniture clean longer?

The routine that keeps patio furniture clean is a quick weekly brush, a monthly wash and dry storage when it rains. Small habits stop dirt and mildew from building up.

Brush off leaves and loose dirt each week. Wipe spills and droppings as soon as you see them.

Rinse frames after pollen season and dry them in the sun.

Check fasteners and finish every few weeks, since a chipped edge or loose bolt collects water. Store cushions dry and cover the set when it's not in use.

Done regularly, cleaning patio furniture at home takes little time and keeps seating ready to use. Wash the frame first, treat cushions and wicker gently, and let everything dry before you sit down.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a pressure washer on patio furniture?

Use low pressure only on sturdy metal or plastic frames, and keep the nozzle away from seams, cushions, wicker and any finish that looks thin. High pressure can force water into joints and strip paint, so a garden hose and a soft brush handle most cleaning jobs safely.

How often should I clean patio furniture?

Wash the frame and wipe down cushions about once a month during the season, and do a deeper clean at the start and end of it. Wipe spills right away and rinse off bird droppings or tree sap before they set, since fresh marks lift far more easily.

Can I wash patio cushions in a washing machine?

Only if the cushion tag says it's machine washable. Most outdoor cushion covers are spot clean only, so use a mild soap solution and a soft brush, then rinse and air dry them standing on edge.

Foam that stays wet can grow mildew inside.

What is the best homemade cleaner for patio furniture?

Mild dish soap mixed with warm water is the safest all-purpose choice for most frames and fabrics. For mildew or greasy marks, a diluted white vinegar and water mix works well on many surfaces.

Test any stronger mix in a hidden spot first, since bleach and harsh cleaners can fade fabric and dull finishes.

How do I keep patio furniture clean between washes?

Cover it when it's not in use, brush off loose dirt and leaves weekly, and dry wet cushions before stacking them. Move furniture out of standing water and check the frame and fasteners each time you do a wash so small problems get caught early.