How to Clean Patio Chairs
Cleaning your outdoor furniture should be a part of your regular outdoor maintenance routine either monthly or annually, at the very least. By cleaning patio chairs you help to maintain their look, quality and condition. Just be sure to clean patio chairs and any cushions you use for the chairs on a sunny day so everything has a chance to dry thoroughly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Dish detergent, liquid or powder
- Warm water
- Spoon
- Sponge
- Soft cloths
- Car wax
- Borax
- Spray bottle
- Water hose
- Fabric protector
Instructions
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Cleaning Patio Chairs
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1
Dissolve 3 tbsp. dish washing detergent in a gallon of warm water. Stir the solution to fully mix in the detergent.
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2
Use a sponge to wash down your plastic chairs with the soap solution. Scrub as best you can with the sponge. Do not use a coarse cleaning pad, as they can scratch into your chair's surface.
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3
Cover the chair well with a generous amount of the solution. Wipe and let it the chair sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse the chair with clean water and allow it to dry in the sun.
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4
Dab any wet areas or crevices with a soft cloth and wipe down the chair to ensure it is fully dry. If your chairs are made of aluminum, apply car wax to the surface and buff it off once the wax is dry. Store the clean chairs or set out for use.
Cleaning Chair Cushions
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5
Add together in a quart of water 1 tsp. borax and 1 tsp. dish detergent. Mix the solution well before pouring it into a spray bottle.
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6
Spray down both sides of your chair cushions to thoroughly saturate the cushions inside and out. Leave the cushions to soak for 15 to 20 minutes as the soaps start to work.
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7
Use a water hose set on high to spray down the cushions. Lay out the cushions in the sun to dry until they are lightly damp to the touch, like a wrung out sponge.
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8
Spray both sides of the cushion with fabric protector following the manufacturer's instructions. Assemble the cushions on your chairs after both are fully clean and dry.
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Tips & Warnings
For heavily mildewed chair cushions that aren't colorful, soak in a warm water solution of 1 cup bleach, 1 cup powdered laundry detergent and 3 gallons of water for two hours or more in your tub. Rinse the cushions well with cold water before setting out in the sun, flipping multiple times until they are dry.
References
- Photo Credit Red patio furniture image by Scott Latham from Fotolia.com
