How clean is clean enough? This is a question that many people who own woven outdoor furniture are asking themselves. Woven furniture can be difficult to clean, and if you don't clean it often enough, mold will form on the fabric. Moldy patio chairs are not only unattractive; they can also make your family sick. So how often should you clean your outdoor furniture? We've got the answer below.
Woven outdoor furniture should be cleaned after exposure to harsh weather conditions and on a regular maintenance schedule. A little effort on a routine basis will make your woven furniture last longer. There are several ways to clean your woven patio furniture: by washing them with soap and water, bleach, vinegar, and using a pressure washer.
General considerations before cleaning
Always test different cleaning agents in an inconspicuous place before spraying all over your pieces of outdoor woven furniture--you don't want anything damaging them more than necessary.
For stubborn marks like dirt or old stains use a toothbrush to scrub for maximum effectiveness. It might take some time, but it can be well worth it when you see how clean those chairs look afterwards.
If you are cleaning mesh furniture, you may need to take some different steps than listed here. Woven furniture poses different challenges than mesh furniture when you are cleaning it.
Soap and water
The best way to clean outdoor woven chairs (using soap) is: Wash with warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly, use a clean towel to dry, then air dry in indirect sunlight for several hours before sitting on them again. You'll want to repeat this process every few months at least.
If you need more help with this process - including which products work best at removing mold - we've got some tips below:
● Use gentle dishwashing liquid that is designed specifically for washing delicate items (you don’t want to ruin your patio chair!)
● Rinse off any soap residue thoroughly after washing
● Use a clean rag or sponge when washing your chair and dry it off after rinsing with clean water
● Avoid applying too much pressure during cleaning because this can cause wear on the fabric over time. Your woven outdoor furniture will last longer if you take good care of it.
Pressure washer
However, some people prefer to clean their outdoor woven furniture using a pressure washer.
When cleaning with a pressure washer, be sure to: use the lowest setting possible and clean in an area where you can point the nozzle directly at your chair without causing damage or harm to any nearby objects.
Soap can help your pressure washer clean better by adding a few drops to the clean water.
Use cold or tepid water, not hot! Hot will cause shrinkage and damage your furniture permanently.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water after using soap and pressure wash off any residue left on the fabric that you do not want there.
With bleach
Cleaning outdoor woven furniture with bleach can be a great way to clean and brighten your outdoor furniture. The bleach will kill the mold on the surface of fabrics quickly. If your outdoor woven furniture is made of a water proof material, then bleach is a good solution. If your furniture is made of a porous material, then bleach may not be the right solution for you.
Bleach will kill mold on the surface of anything it is applied to. The problem for porous material comes in when mold has grown down into the fabric. Generally, bleach will not be able to reach the roots of the mold when you apply it. This means the mold will regrow at the surface, because it is still present within the fabric.
Steps to clean outdoor woven furniture with bleach
- Brush off any debris from the woven material before you apply some bleach in small sections using a clean cloth dipped into a water and bleach solution that contains one tablespoon of bleach per quart (or about four tablespoons per gallon). Pour this mixture on an area you want to clean and let it sit for five minutes without scrubbing.
- Rinse thoroughly after five minutes has passed with clean water and then let it dry completely before determining if you need to apply more of the bleach solution.
- Be sure not to use too much bleach. Be careful to measure when pouring the bleach into the water water.
With vinegar
Vinegar diluted in water is a good way to clean outdoor furniture. It is non-toxic and produces a mild, tolerable smell. Some people even say they like the smell vinegar leaves on their furniture. You can clean the furniture by spraying its surface with vinegar and then wiping it down with a clean cloth or sponge.
However, this process may not be enough for tougher stains such as those from fruit juice spills that are very acidic in nature (such as orange juice). In this case you should dilute white distilled vinegar in hot water and apply the mixture using an old toothbrush on tough spots until they’re gone. Rinse thoroughly afterwards so no traces of vinegary smell remain behind if you don't want it.
With oxiclean
Another good alternative is oxiclean, a detergent that contains oxygen bleach. It is great for cleaning woven furniture because it is a clean and powerful cleaner that also contains stain remover. This means that it can clean the furniture while simultaneously getting rid of stains, dirt, mold and mildew.
- The first step in cleaning with oxiclean is to mix it with water per the instruction on the container. If you want to create a paste, use more oxiclean and less water.
- After mixing the oxiclean with water, apply it to your woven furniture with a cloth or sponge. You can also dump or spray it on to the furniture.
- Don't cover a large area with your oxiclean and water solution. You don't want it to dry on the furniture. This will make it hard to get off. This is especially true because your are cleaning woven furniture where the oxiclean can get trapped between the fabric.
- Rinse the furniture thoroughly with water. Check the furniture to be certain there is not oxiclean left on it.
How to prevent
Mold and mildew can be prevented on woven outdoor furniture by using clean dry towels to clean the furniture after it has been exposed to rain or snow.
Dampen a clean, lint free towel with water and soap before gently using the cloth on any dirty areas of the furniture. Gently rub in circles until dirt comes out from the fabric. Do not scrub too hard as this can damage your furniture’s delicate fibers
Clean frequently for best results.
To prevent mold from growing you can use a product like Concrobium. Some people suggest that tea tree oil works well to prevent mold as well.
To avoid any discoloration on the fabric or damage caused by the sun's UV rays, apply a protector like Scotchgard Water and Sun Shield.
The best solution to prevent mold, mildew, and dirt buildup on your outdoor woven furniture is to store it indoors or cover it. Moisture is needed for mold and mildew to grow. If you eliminate moisture, you will not have a problem with mold and mildew. Dirt builds up on your outdoor woven furniture because of exposure. Covering your furniture or bring it inside will eliminate dirt buildup.
Conclusion
We hope this blog post has given you some ideas on how to clean your outdoor furniture. Cleaning it doesn’t need to be a chore and can actually be quite satisfying if done properly.
Keep your outdoor furniture clean and fresh with these easy tips. Avoid the time, expense, and unnecessary chemicals of professional cleaning services by following this guide to keeping your woven patio furniture looking as good as new! Simply mix a soap or detergent like dishwashing liquid in water (1 part soap/detergent to 3 parts water) and scrub away any dirt. If there are stubborn stains that you can't remove with just soapy water alone, try adding white vinegar or oxiclean solution for extra power.
If all else fails, grab an electric pressure washer off Amazon or at a local store.
