Cleaning Pros Spill the Secret to Keeping Outdoor Furniture Clean All Summer

The time for outdoor entertaining on sunny days and balmy evenings has officially arrived, but let’s be honest: nobody wants to lounge on a dirty deck chair or dine on a pollen-covered table.

If you have grand plans for hosting barbecues in the backyard and sipping cocktails on the porch and want to make sure you have a welcoming setup for your loved ones, the pros are here to break down exactly how to keep patio furniture clean all summer long.

Routine Brushing and Wipe-Downs

Keeping your outdoor tables and seats in top shape all season long becomes a lot easier if dirt doesn’t have the chance to start building up in the first place—so the first step toward having pristine patio furniture is including it your regular cleaning schedule.

“Routine cleaning is key,” says Lowri Allpress, luxury furniture brand owner. “Use a soft-bristled brush to sweep away dirt and debris regularly.”

Hard furniture can be wiped down with a multi-purpose cleaner, and fabric can be brushed off.

“You don’t have to clean after every use, but keeping patio furniture as a part of your cleaning routine throughout the summer will save you a lot of scrubbing in the long run,” cleaning expert Rosa Picosa says.

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Keep Everything Covered

Another preventative step includes making sure pieces are protected from the elements, pollen, and dirt by covering them when they’re not in use.

“Unless you are outdoors consistently each day, I recommend using furniture covers when items are not in use,” Picosa says. “If furniture materials are sensitive to intense weather you can use drop cloths or slipcovers to protect them, but even without harsh weather conditions the sun can quickly discolor or fade things.”

Clean With Dish Soap

Our pros recommend giving your patio furniture a dedicated cleaning session beyond the basic brush and wipe-down at least four times over the summer. But according to Allpress, harsh cleaners like bleach can cause more harm than good by damaging furniture’s materials and wearing down protective coatings.

“For deeper cleans, a sponge or cloth soaked in a solution of warm water and mild dish soap works well on most materials, especially hardwoods like teak,” she explains. “Avoiding harsh chemicals where possible helps to preserve both the furniture and the environment.”

Try a Cleaner with Pine Oil

Although most gentle multi-purpose cleaners will do the trick when it comes to cleaning your patio furniture, one of cleaning expert Tanu Grewal’s favorite hacks for an even better outdoor hosting experience involves finding a product that contains one particular ingredient.

“Pine oil is my secret weapon for repelling bugs and pests, so it does double duty,” Grewal says. “A clean patio with less bugs becomes the perfect place to enjoy during the warm weather.”

Keep Cushions Clean and Cozy

The coziest outdoor furniture has an element of soft furnishing—whether that’s a squishy padded seat or a colorful throw cushion. Luckily, these cushions are actually much easier to clean than you’d expect.

“Toss it in [the washing machine] as its own load in case there’s dirt or pollen on it—and make sure to check the care tag—but odds are you can wash as usual, and save yourself the extra effort of manually cleaning each cushion,” Grewal says.

Pressure-Wash Wicker and Rattan

While dish soap and water work best on most types of outdoor furniture, Allpress advises that the one exception to the rule is anything made of rattan or wicker. Although the boho-style weave these pieces feature is pretty, it also has a tendency to catch unrinsed suds— which quickly turn into grime.

“A foaming product will leave residues in the gaps in between the weave, which will then attract dirt,” she says. “Use a pressure washer on a low setting instead to make cleaning faster and more effective without damaging the material.”