The Cleaning Hack To Avoid If You Want To Protect Your Outdoor Furniture

Your outdoor furniture faces a lot of wear and tear. It's forced to deal with the elements while exposed to dirt and various types of critters — so of course there's no shortage of tips online on how to clean and protect it. If you've invested the time and effort into creating a stunning patio, we know it's important for you to maintain it, and one popular hack you'll come across is using car wax to clean and protect your patio furniture. Why car wax? The idea behind it is that wax creates a slick surface while providing a barrier against dirt and debris. However, this method is not always effective and can actually cause damage to your furniture, depending on the material.

Outdoor furniture is often made out of materials like plastic resin, iron, wood, or wicker. These surfaces should be wiped down regularly and benefit greatly from a deep clean twice a year — once before they begin their seasonal use in the spring, and once before they are put away or covered for the winter. While the car wax method might seem like an easy fix, it's essential to understand how it can affect different materials before applying it. Before you try this popular cleaning hack, it's important that you consider what your furniture is made of and whether the wax will enhance or harm it. When you're trying to figure out the best way to clean your outdoor furniture, take the time to research the best care methods for your specific furniture pieces.

Plastic resin is a popular and affordable type of outdoor furniture because of its durability and resistance to weather. While a layer of car wax is often considered safe use on plastic to provide that glossy finish, it can actually cause more harm than good. Wax can trap moisture underneath the surface, potentially leading to mold growth or causing the plastic to warp over time. It can also end up attracting dust and dirt instead of repelling it, creating more work. This is true for wicker-style furniture, another popular style for outdoor use that is often made out of the same plastic resin.

Wood furniture is even more vulnerable than plastic when it comes to car wax, particularly because of wood's porous texture. Ingredients in car wax can lead to discoloration in your outdoor wooden tables and chairs, and can also leave behind a sticky residue that prevents the furniture from breathing properly. This can lead to moisture retention, causing decay in your wood furniture. Iron is another popular material for patio furniture, even thought it has a tendency to rust easily. Applying car wax to iron furniture can exacerbate this issue when moisture is trapped underneath the wax, potentially causing it to accelerate rust formation. That's why it's so important to consider all the factors before resorting to popular online hacks. There are plenty of outdoor furniture cleaning mistakes to avoid, and using car wax can definitely be one of them.