Get Sparkling Clean Patio Furniture With The Help Of A Household Ingredient
Once your patio furniture is dirty with dust and grime, it's distilled white vinegar to the rescue for a sparkling clean appearance. Outdoor furniture, especially pieces made of plastic, often collect pollen, grass clippings, and dirt, making a mess that sometimes rain alone can't clean. Vinegar is a gentle and effective way to clean your outdoor furniture. It delivers refreshed furniture in no time, without needing to resort to expensive cleaners or harsh chemicals. By combining it with water, you make a powerful cleaning solution that can tackle the toughest messes on your plastic chairs, tables, and love seats.
Vinegar is so effective as a patio furniture cleaner because as an acid, it helps break down stains easier. When it comes into contact with dirt particles, the vinegar helps loosen them from the surface while the water helps rinse them away easier. In addition, vinegar features antimicrobial properties, so it's a good treatment for patio furniture with any mold and mildew on its surface. Before you rush to dump your vinegar on all of your patio furniture, however, there are certain materials that you should never clean with this acid. Vinegar and wood don't mix, so avoid using it on any wooden furniture. If your furniture is unsealed, waxed, or has a finish, the vinegar may damage or discolor the surface. Be careful if working with metal furniture as well, because vinegar is an acid, and prolonged exposure of vinegar to wrought iron or stainless steel can cause corrosion as well as speed up the rusting process.
How to clean your plastic patio furniture with vinegar
You can make this easy DIY cleaner by combining one part distilled white vinegar with four parts warm water in a bucket. This ratio will dilute the vinegar so it's gentle enough for most surface cleaning yet tackles the grime. Always test the vinegar solution in a small hidden spot for any discoloration or fading. Before applying, brush away loose dirt or leaves that may be stuck to your furniture. After application, wipe down your furniture with a clean sponge or cloth, taking extra time to focus any areas with extensive buildup. Once finished, rinse thoroughly with a garden hose or a pressure washer on the lowest setting, then towel dry to prevent streaks.
In addition to plastic, you can use vinegar on most fabric-covered, wicker, or mesh patio furniture. In fact, many manufacturers even recommend a variation to customers when they buy new outdoor furniture, advising they use vinegar mixed with dish soap for cleaning cushions. Combine ¼ cup of dish soap with ⅓ cup of distilled white vinegar for fighting beer, urine, and other stains on fabrics. Just don't forget to rinse and let dry when done. To avoid grime and buildup, especially from pollen or dirt, periodically keep an eye on the condition of your furniture, covering or moving to a covered location when out of season.