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.