Cleaning Outdoor Furniture & Patios
Ontario's long winters mean outdoor furniture, patios, and decks sit idle for 5–6 months under covers (if you're organised) or fully exposed to freeze-thaw cycles, precipitation, and mould growth (if you're not). A proper spring cleaning of outdoor living spaces is one of the most rewarding home maintenance tasks of the year — and the right approach depends on what you're cleaning.
By Material
- Aluminum and powder-coated metal: Warm soapy water, soft brush or cloth, rinse — nearly maintenance-free
- Teak and hardwood: Oxalic acid-based teak cleaner removes the grey oxidation that develops over Ontario winters, restores the natural honey colour; apply teak oil after cleaning to seal
- Resin/plastic wicker or Adirondack: A pressure washer on low or a soapy scrub brush followed by a rinse works well — avoid high-pressure on wicker weave as it can loosen the strands
- Fabric cushions: Check the care label — most outdoor fabric cushion covers unzip and are machine-washable on cold/gentle. Cushion foam cores can be wiped with a diluted all-purpose spray and left in the sun to dry completely before covering
Patios and Decks
Concrete and interlocking patio: a pressure washer removes the winter's worth of organic material and atmospheric staining effectively — apply a concrete patio sealer every 2–3 years to slow re-staining. Wood decks: sweep all debris, scrub with a deck cleaner, rinse, allow to dry fully before applying stain or sealer. Annual decking maintenance in Ontario extends deck lifespan significantly relative to the cost of deck replacement.