How to clean outdoor furniture: a seasonal routine by material

By Cleaning Notes

For routine dirt and pollen, most outdoor furniture needs loose debris removed, a gentle wash with mild soap and water, a thorough rinse and complete drying. The important exceptions are the material, its finish and the cushion construction—not how dirty the whole set looks.

Check the furniture’s care instructions and the cleaner’s label first. Treat frames, woven seats, cushions and tabletops as separate surfaces. A cleaner approved for one may not suit the others.

Set up before washing

Gather mild soap, a bucket, soft cloths or sponges, a soft-bristle brush and clean towels. Use a garden hose only on parts whose care instructions allow rinsing.

1. Remove cushions and set them aside for their own cleaning routine.
2. Brush or vacuum away loose dirt, including debris in joints and woven sections.
3. Check the condition. Look for loose hardware, split wood, rust, peeling finishes or broken strands. Cleaning will not repair these; keep unstable furniture out of use until repaired.
4. Test the chosen cleaner on a hidden area. Stop if color transfers or the finish changes.

POLYWOOD’s care guide supports removing loose debris before washing and spot-testing fabric cleaners. Brown Jordan recommends inspecting frames, joints and hardware at the start of each season.

Choose the routine for your frame

Plastic and resin lumber

For molded plastic chairs, wipe all surfaces with mild soap and water, rinse with clean water and let them dry. For POLYWOOD resin lumber, the manufacturer recommends soapy water, a washcloth and a soft-bristle brush, followed by rinsing and air-drying. It advises against abrasive scrubbers, including eraser pads, on its lumber. See the material-specific care instructions.

Do not assume a plastic-looking piece is resin lumber—or that every plastic tolerates the same tools.

Metal: powder-coated aluminum and wrought iron

Wash powder-coated aluminum with mild soap and water using a soft cloth or brush, then rinse and dry. Brown Jordan’s aluminum guidance uses this gentle routine; POLYWOOD warns against abrasive pads and harsh chemicals, including bleach and ammonia-based cleaners, on aluminum and its protective coating.

For wrought iron, remove loose dirt, wash with soapy water and a cloth, rinse, then towel-dry. If you find rust or chipped paint, follow the furniture maker’s repair instructions rather than scrubbing harder. POLYWOOD’s wrought-iron guidance separates washing from protective wax or touch-up painting after drying.

Wicker: identify synthetic or natural first

• Synthetic resin wicker: Brush or vacuum debris out of the weave. Wash with mild soap and water using a soft brush; a soft toothbrush can reach tight spots. Rinse and towel-dry.
• Natural wicker or rattan: Dust first, then spot-clean with a sponge and mild soapy water. Towel-dry rather than applying the synthetic-wicker hose routine.

These are distinct methods in POLYWOOD’s wicker care guidance. If you cannot identify the weave, stick to dry dusting until you find the maker’s instructions.

Wood and teak

Use the gentlest method allowed for the wood’s finish. For example, Outdoor Interiors specifies mild detergent and a soft cloth for soiled teak, not abrasive cleaners. For wooden furniture whose instructions permit brushing and rinsing, work gently with the grain and let it air-dry completely; this is the routine in POLYWOOD’s wood guide.

Gray teak is not necessarily dirty. Brown Jordan describes a silver-gray patina as expected weathering. Restoring the original color, oiling and sealing are separate maintenance decisions. Follow your maker’s guidance: Outdoor Interiors recommends oiling its teak, while Brown Jordan specifies a cleaner and sealer to maintain or restore its teak’s warm tone.

Glass and acrylic tabletops

Use mild soap and water with a soft cloth or nonabrasive sponge, then rinse and dry. Avoid abrasive cleaners and scrubbing pads on acrylic, following Brown Jordan’s tabletop guidance. Stone and composite tops need their own care instructions; do not automatically apply a glass-cleaning or descaling product to them.

Clean cushions and sling seats separately

Brush away loose debris first. Where the care instructions permit, clean outdoor cushions with mild soap and water, rinse thoroughly and air-dry standing upright. Brown Jordan recommends this method for its cushions and mild soap, rinsing and air-drying for lightly stained slings.

For confirmed Sunbrella outdoor upholstery, Sunbrella specifies ¼ cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Work gently with a sponge or very soft-bristle brush, rinse out all soap residue and air-dry. Clean the whole fabric panel from seam to seam to help avoid water rings.

A zipper does not establish that a cover is machine-washable. Sunbrella says to consult the furniture manufacturer before removing a casing because cushion construction varies. Brown Jordan prohibits machine-washing its cushions. Follow the instructions for the finished cushion, not just the fabric name.

When ordinary washing is not enough

Skip the pressure washer unless your furniture maker expressly permits it. POLYWOOD allows one under specified pressure, nozzle and distance limits; that permission does not apply to every frame, weave or cushion.

For persistent mildew, grease or stains, use the maker’s stain-specific instructions rather than a stronger all-purpose mixture. Bleach compatibility varies even among outdoor fabrics: Brown Jordan prohibits it on printed acrylic fabrics.

If your instructions call for bleach, check the bleach product’s label too. Never mix bleach with other cleaners or disinfectants, as CDC’s safety guidance warns. If a furniture-care recipe conflicts with that guidance or the product label, do not use the mixture; ask the maker for a compatible alternative. See the bleach safety guide for more detail.

Before covering or storing

Let everything dry fully before replacing cushions, covering furniture or packing it away. Store cushions and textiles in a cool, dry place, and allow ventilation under outdoor covers. Brown Jordan’s seasonal guidance recommends cleaning before storage and keeping covers ventilated to prevent moisture buildup.

A practical schedule is a thorough clean when you bring the set back into use and before seasonal storage, with loose dirt and fresh spills dealt with between those sessions. Adjust to exposure and use rather than waiting for heavy buildup.