How To Clean Outdoor Synthetic Furniture

As the days slowly get longer and the temperatures go up, it is time to clean and prepare the garden furniture for the coming season.

The months of cold season have left their marks and maybe the seating area simply no looks at its best?
 
Discover how easy a good cleaning can be and make your garden furniture to look almost brand new. 

Garden furniture made of plastic or synthetic material has a long life span, but unfortunately, it gets dirty quickly. It is therefore important to clean them regularly and to clean them properly so that they look good for a long time. With the following tips, the plastic furniture will shine in new splendour again.

In addition, you will receive some tips on which cleaning household products effectively protect against weathering.

1. High-pressure cleaner/garden hose for heavy dirt

​If you own a high-pressure cleaner, you can use it to remove coarse and heavy dirt.
However, pay attention to the synthetic material your garden furniture is made of.
If you want to use the high preasure pump to clean garden furniture made of resin wicker or even somewhat cheaper plastic , you should be careful not to damage it by applying too much pressure or using the gun too close  to the furniture.
​Alternatively, a garden hose can be used.

2. Hand brush, microfibre cloth and warm water for dust.

When the garden furniture comes out straight from the garden, it is usually dusty and superficially dirty. For easy cleaning, dust and loose dirt should first be removed with a hand brush. Then wipe the garden furniture with a damp microfiber cloth, as it has no electrostatic effect.​

​A special cleaning agent is not required for this. Warm water with vinegar (ratio 1:5), all-purpose cleaner, or dishwashing detergent is perfectly sufficient to remove superficial dirt from the garden furniture. To prevent unsightly water stains, it is recommended to rub the surface dry after cleaning. The microfibre cloth can also be used very well for that because even water stains look ugly.

3. Baking powder/washing powder/toothpaste for stubborn dirt.

Particularly with white plastic furniture, a grey veil settles on the surface over time. Often this is dust which is deposited on the plastic and leads to discolouration of the material. These stains can usually no longer be removed with all-purpose cleaners or washing-up liquid, so many garden owners resort to a stronger agent and clean their garden furniture with scouring milk.

However, caution is required here. Although scouring agents remove all dirt without leaving any residue, they also quickly lead to new deposits. Because the scouring particles cause fine scratches on the surface, in which dirt can be optimally deposited. Better suited for removing stubborn dirt are special plastic cleaners that not only work on the surface but also remove deposits completely

Alternatively, you can also use a household remedy that can be found in almost every household: baking powder. Especially for white plastic furniture, baking powder is the ideal way to gently remove unsightly stains. To do this, simply pour the baking powder onto a damp cloth and rub the furniture with it. The powder should then act briefly. Afterwards, you can wash it off with water. The baking soda contained in the baking powder dissolves even stubborn stains and lightens grey discolouration.

More heavily soiled areas can usually be cleaned well with washing powder or toothpaste too. The result is sometimes even better than with commercially available expensive plastic cleaners or even sharp special cleaners. Rub the corresponding areas with moistened toothpaste or washing powder and rinse everything with plenty of clear water.

4. Car polish for shiny plastic furniture.

Many garden owners choose resin garden furniture because it is robust and weatherproof. Even if moisture does not damage plastic furniture, UV radiation outside ensures that the plastic ages faster. As a result, the material can become brittle and to lose its original shine. To make the garden furniture look like new again, it is recommended to treat it with car polish. 

​As with car paint, the polish gives the garden furniture new shine and protects the surface. Moisture and dirt simply roll off after polishing. Particularly with garden furniture that does not have a surface finish, the polish should be applied regularly to seal the plastic and make it durable.

5. Regular cleaning protects against dirt.

​If you want to enjoy your garden furniture for a long time, you should regularly remove dirt and dust from it. In this way, the dirt cannot deposit and stick to the surface in the first place.
It is best to remove dirt immediately when it occurs. This saves you a lot of work later and you can enjoy your garden furniture even after several years.  But if the stain is coming from the last summer, it is better to try to remove it the soonest, as new sunlight and more exposure will make it more persistant.

6. Covering with a waterproof cover.

​In addition to regular cleaning, the outdoor garden furniture should also be covered when it is not needed. This protects the furniture from wind and weather and prevents it from getting dirty.
 
A waterproof cover, which there is a huge variety of sizes and shapes, is suitable for this purpose. To prevent mould from forming under the tarpaulin, the garden furniture must always be dry and the air should also be able to circulate under the cover.
 
Even in summer, you can protect your garden furniture with a cover when it is not in use. This protects them from dirt and moisture. Dark furniture is also protected from fading by a good outddor furniture cover.

​Good luck with the correct cleaning of your plastic garden furniture!