How to Clean Outdoor Furniture for Spring — Toronto Home Guide

After a Toronto winter, outdoor furniture comes out of storage or off the patio looking dull, mildewed, or stained. Here's how to clean each material type so your outdoor space is ready to use.

Plastic and Resin Furniture

1. Mix warm water with a few drops of dish soap in a bucket
2. Scrub with a soft brush or sponge — a car wash brush works well for chairs with grooves
3. For stubborn stains or yellowing: make a paste of baking soda and water, apply, leave 10 minutes, scrub, rinse
4. For mildew: use a solution of 1 cup white vinegar per litre of water, scrub, rinse well
5. Rinse with a garden hose and allow to dry in the sun

Wood Furniture (Teak, Cedar, Eucalyptus)

1. Brush off loose debris with a dry brush
2. Mix dish soap with warm water and scrub along the grain with a soft brush
3. For mildew or grey weathering: use a deck cleaner or mix 1 cup oxygen bleach in a litre of water, scrub, leave 10 minutes, rinse
4. Allow to dry completely — at least 48 hours in sun
5. Apply teak oil, linseed oil, or outdoor wood sealer to restore colour and protect the wood — this step is optional but extends the furniture's life significantly

Metal Furniture (Aluminum, Steel, Wrought Iron)

1. Wipe down with a damp cloth and mild dish soap solution
2. Check for rust on steel or wrought iron — sand lightly with fine sandpaper, wipe clean, and apply rust-resistant spray paint to exposed areas
3. Aluminum doesn't rust but can oxidize — wipe with a vinegar-water solution to remove white oxidation deposits
4. Dry thoroughly and apply a thin coat of car wax to painted metal to protect against future oxidation

Cushion Fabric

1. Remove cushion covers if possible and machine wash on gentle cycle
2. For non-removable covers: mix dish soap with warm water, scrub with a soft brush, rinse with a hose
3. For mildew stains: mix 1 cup white vinegar with 1 litre water and 1 tablespoon dish soap — scrub, rinse well
4. Allow cushions to dry completely in the sun before using — standing moisture inside cushion foam causes mould

Tips

• Store cushions inside or in a deck box over the Toronto winter — outdoor storage through freeze-thaw cycles breaks down foam and fabric quickly
• Cover metal and wood furniture when not in use through the season to reduce cleaning frequency
• A quick wipe-down monthly during the season prevents build-up that requires a full spring clean