Mesh furniture is made to hold up under some extreme conditions. If it is properly taken care of, it can last a long time. It needs to be cleaned regularly. Cleaning it will keep the fabric strong and will make it pleasant to use.
There are several ways you can go about cleaning your mesh furniture. We will focus on a few here, including using bleach, baking soda, and vinegar.
Using bleach solution: The pros and cons
Bleach almost always comes to mind when you think about cleaning any kind of furniture since it is readily available and it works efficiently.
But like most chemicals, bleach should also be used with caution, especially when you’re dealing with mesh patio furniture. A highly concentrated solution could result in discoloration and permanent damage to the mesh.
Pros
- One of the biggest benefits of using bleach to clean mesh patio furniture is that it not only cleans, but it also disinfects your furniture. With your outdoor furniture being exposed to the elements, it’s not uncommon for mold and mildew to build up on its surface over time. Bleach products are strong enough to remove them and prevent any mildew buildup for a very long time.
- Bleach can help you save time since you don’t need any other cleaning product to get rid of soap scum or mildew stains. You also don’t need to scrub the mesh patio furniture thoroughly because bleach is powerful enough to get rid of dirt, stains, and bacteria without scrubbing.
- Bleach is readily available in most homes. If you don't have any bleach, it is very inexpensive. This must-have household product is not only useful for cleaning mesh patio furniture, but also other surfaces around the house.
Cons
- Bleach can be very toxic, especially the stronger types of bleach products like chlorine bleach. It should be handled properly since prolonged contact with the skin can cause irritation or burn. Inhalation can also result in respiratory problems. Ingestion can cause poisoning, serious bodily injury, and even death. It should be thoroughly washed off of your mesh.
- Bleach has to be diluted properly and it shouldn’t be mixed with other cleaning products when cleaning your mesh furniture because it can cause a reaction that results in dangerous gases.
- Bleach is the cause of 28% of all poisonings from household products. It’s not only harmful to humans, but also to pets, plants, and the environment.
Fabrics that bleach can and cannot be used on
Bleach isn’t really all that bad, whether you’re talking about cleaning mesh patio furniture or other areas in your home. It all depends on what type of bleach you use and how you are using it.
Chlorine bleach is a stronger type of bleach that comes in either liquid or powder form. It is usually diluted in water and used mostly for disinfecting fabrics, although it’s not advisable to use on colored or patterned clothing since it can cause discoloration.
The best way to know if chlorine bleach will damage your mesh patio furniture is to test it on an inconspicuous area first. You also need to dilute it properly otherwise it will cause fading, holes, and even complete damage to your fabric.
Oxygen bleach, on the other hand, is used more commonly since it’s safer on most fabrics. Unlike its counterpart, this type of bleach is known to be safe for colored and patterned fabrics, but you still need to test it on an inconspicuous area of your patio furniture to see if it works well or not.
When using bleach on any type of fabric, it’s important to remember a few things. For one, you have to follow the labels instructions, especially for using the right amount of bleach solution.
You should never pour bleach directly onto your patio furniture and always test the solution before applying it.
Cleaning solutions that are safe for all mesh fabrics
If you’re not comfortable using bleach for cleaning your mesh patio furniture, there are other cleaning solutions that you can use including:
- Dish washing soap. This is one of the most common cleaning solutions for mesh fabrics because it’s safe and effective. Just mix some dish washing soap in a gallon of warm water. Use it to clean your mesh patio furniture without worrying that it will stain or fade the color.
- Rubbing alcohol. If your chair has some stubborn stains or spots that can’t be removed by a simple dish washing soap solution, you can soak a soft cloth in some rubbing alcohol and use it to remove them.
- Dry cleaning solvent. Another useful technique in removing those stubborn spots and stains on mesh fabric is spraying it with dry cleaning solvent. This product is recommended because it doesn’t saturate your fabric with chemicals, but it still does the job of lifting the stain out so you can easily wipe it off the furniture.
IOSSO mold and mildew stain remover
If you’re familiar with this product, then you know that it works wonders when getting rid of stains on almost all surfaces and fabrics. The IOSSO mold and mildew stain remover is both color and fabric-safe, and it works excellently in removing mold, mildew, tannin stain, grease, oil, blood stains, bird droppings and tree sap.
It is also highly recommended for cleaning different products around the home like patio mesh furniture, tents, awnings, cushions, carpets and even camping gear. Each gallon of the IOSSO mold and mildew stain remover can clean up to 150 square feet of floor space.
Baking soda
Baking soda is another go-to cleaning solution when it comes to mesh patio furniture because it’s readily available and safe to use. You just need to sprinkle some baking soda on your chair and leave it for 15 minutes.
The baking soda will absorb any bad odors from your chair while helping to lift the stains on it. You can then vacuum the chair to remove any excess baking soda. Then you can use your patio furniture again.
Vinegar
Of course, there’s vinegar that’s considered one of the most effective cleaning solutions not only for mesh patio furniture, but also on other surfaces. Just make sure to use white vinegar to prevent any staining on your patio furniture.
Combine one teaspoon of vinegar with at least one cup of water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle, and use it to spray on your mesh patio furniture. This solution will help get rid of any bad odor from the furniture as well as remove any stubborn stains on the mesh fabric.
What to do now
What ever method you choose to use, you should clean your mesh furniture routinely. This will help to preserve it for many years to come. If you need something strong and inexpensive, try bleach. If you want a natural solution to clean your mesh furniture, use baking soda or bleach. Finally, if you want to spend a little money, you can buy a good cleaning solution IOSSO mold and mildew stain remover.
If you are cleaning woven patio furniture, please checkout our article How To Clean Woven Outdoor Furniture.
