How to Clean Wrought Iron Furniture
Wrought iron furniture unites function with style in the home or garden. A common material for patio furniture, wrought iron is also used for tables, bed frames and other types of indoor furniture. You'll have to clean outdoor furniture more frequently, because of its exposure to wildlife and the elements; however, all wrought iron furniture, indoors or outdoors, benefits from occasional cleaning. Cleaning should not take long, and the right cleaners for this job are probably already in your kitchen. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Sponge
- Bucket
- Dishwashing detergent
- Nylon scrubber
- Towels
- Fine-grit sandpaper (if rust is present)
- Touch-up paint for wrought iron
Instructions
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1
Mix 1 tablespoon of dishwashing detergent in a 5-gallon bucket of warm water. Place indoor furniture (except large pieces, such as bed frames) outdoors on a sturdy surface.
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2
Remove fabric cushions from the furniture (if applicable). Wet a sponge in the bucket, and scrub the furniture. Use a nylon scrubber to remove stuck-on spills such as food or bird droppings.
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3
If your furniture has dirt stuck in crevices, use a toothbrush or small bottle brush to clean these areas. Wet the brush down with warm water. Add a drop of detergent, and scrub until it is clean. You may need to rinse the brush if it gets too dirty. If so, simply reapply detergent and scrub some more.
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4
Rinse the furniture by spraying it down with a garden hose. Dry the wrought iron immediately with towels to prevent rust. Make sure you dry all crevices and creases as well.
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If you do find rusted areas as you clean your furniture, finish cleaning it, then scrub the rust with fine-grit sand paper and rinse the piece thoroughly. Wipe the area down with a cloth to remove remaining rust particles. Use a touch-up paint intended for wrought iron -- you can find these paints at most home improvement stores. Let the paint dry fully before using the furniture.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have wrought-iron bed frames to clean, place drop cloths on the floor near the bed to catch drips from your sponge. Clean the bed frame just as you would any other piece of wrought iron furniture, and rinse it with a damp sponge.
According to patiofurnitureusa.com, you may need to apply either automotive wax or mineral oil to maintain wrought iron's glossy finish. To do this, let the furniture dry after cleaning, and smooth the wax or mineral oil over the wrought iron with a clean cloth.
