Cleaning Outdoor Furniture

How To Effectively Clean Outdoor Furniture

Plastic outdoor furniture is relatively inexpensive to buy and so often is simply left outside where it soon loses its appearance and at the same time suffers from dirt and mould build up.

Unlike wooden furniture however, plastic type chairs and tables does not weather like wood does and can be cleaned relatively easily with the right type of equipment. Upvc type furniture can fade over time and if white in colour can  take on a faded yellow colour.

The first step which you should undertake is to establish exactly how soiled the items are to prepare for the cleaning task required. If the furniture has simply a surface coating of dirt then a simple wash and wipe down with soapy water and a cleaning cloth may be all that is required. Normally though this is not the case.

If the chairs and any tables have been outside during autumn and winter a more agressive solution will normally be required.

The most effective tool to achieve this would be the use of a water jet washer. Powered by an electric motor coupled to a high pressure pump a jet washer forces water out of a fine nozzle at a very high pressure blasting surface dirt and debris away with ease.

If required a cleaning detergent can be added to assist the cleaning process.

Restoring Faded Outdoor Furniture  

If the furniture has faded (especially white Upvc) then an abrasive type liquid cleaner should be used. This should be a mild “cream” type to avoid causing suface scratches. A circular polishing type action should be used to gradually remove the top layer of the plastic.

If this restores the furniture to its original colour it is most likely that the original gloss finish will now have been removed. Upvc plastic chairs and tables normally have a top surface coating to preserve its appearance, albeit for a limited time.

The top surface coating can be re-applied by the use of a commercial Upvc coating which can be purchased from most DIY and trade home improvement outlet type shops.

Moving And Lifting Furniture

Equipment For Furniture Moving

There are numerous pieces of equipment suitable for the task of moving and lifting furniture.

One of the latest inexpensive options now available to buy are the new “Forearm Forklift” type lifting straps.  

Designed for the professional furniture remover, builders, installers, and DIY’ers who want to move  furniture and appliance, the patented “Forearm Forklift Straps” are a must tool.

These Forklift Type Straps represent an amazing step forward for moving awkward objects allowing you to position your back in the proper lifting position, reducing lumbar strain, and at the same time freeing up your hands to maneuver the object you are moving for much better control and safety.

This new type of lifting gear is simply an innovative and inexpensive tool for both professionals and consumers alike. Anyone who has tried to lift and move awkward objects such as heavy furniture will immediately recognize the benefits ir provides. 

Pallet Trucks

Pallet trucks are another option of equipment which could be chosen and are especially suited for the moving and lifting of heavy furniture over flat surfaces such as warehouse floors, retail shops, offices, and other work site areas. Easy to use and manoeuvre pallet trucks are available in different sizes and configurations to suit individual customers needs.

Being fitted with wheels pallet trucks can take the weight of any object being moved (up to the trucks swl limit) and are also strong enough to carry most items of furniture.

Unlike lifting straps the purchase cost of a pallet truck is far greater and consideration needs to be given as to its cost effectiveness with regards to being purchased for the work in hand.

Another option would be to hire this type of lifting gear. Pallet trucks can be hired from specialist outlets catering for customers with lifting and moving requirements. To compliment pallet trucks a wide selection of other equipment is normally available including lifting and moving gear such as; Chains, Shackles, Web Slings, Hoists, Tirfors, Electric Winches, Heavy Duty Ropes.

Cleaning Farm Machinery

Effective Cleaning Of Farm Machinery

Farm machinery requires regular cleaning to maintain performance and reliability. Machinery such as beet harvesters, sprayers, and ploughs live a hard life and need ongoing attention and maintenance to be able to be able to be used all year round.

Trailered equipment in paricular benefits by regular cleaning.  Removal of mud and slurry from wheels and couplings allow free movement and at the same time extends the life of service components such as wheel bearings and seals.

The chassis on farm machinery can corrode fast unless cleaned and protected from the harsh elements they encounter. Wet mud and soil in particular can accumulate in box sections rapidly allowing corrosion and rust to form, with the only solution being expensive repair work to rectify it.

For regular cleaning of farm machinery the best option of choice for cleaning equipment is the use of a high powered commercial pressure washer. Using the power of hot or cold water combined with a detergent a power washer cleans by way of water blasted at high pressure out of a fine nozzle fitted to a lance type wand.

Most commercial jet washers have an adjustable detergent flow control to allow precise metering of cleaning fluids to obtain the best result.

For painted surfaces on agricultural vehicles like tractors and harvesters a traffic film remover (tfr detergent) can be used. This is sprayed over the vehicles as a foam blanket and left to penetrate for a few minutes. The tfr cleaner breaks down the film of grime in readiness for use of the power washer.

Hot water is more efffective when cleaning farm vehicles especially if a traffic film remover detergent is being used. Oil and grease cannot be cleaned by the use of cold wayter alone – hot water and / or a detergent additive must be used.

Other Uses Of A Pressure Washer On A Farm

One of the best applications a jet washer can be used on a farm is for the cleaning of stables. As stables and farms are considered one of the dirtiest and messy places to work in it makes sense to regular clean them and make the environment more pleasant for employees as well as the farm animals and livestock.

Walls and floors in stables can be cleaned with just the power of water and a mild detergent. Dirt, mould, and moss can be easlily removed and in a fast timescale with the use of a commercial pressure washer.