How to Clean Patio Furniture
Toronto's winters are tough on outdoor furniture — and so are its summers. Pollen, bird droppings, grease from BBQs, and UV exposure all degrade patio furniture fast if it's not cleaned regularly. Here's how to clean every common material properly, whether you're doing a spring opener or putting things away before the snow arrives.
Plastic and Resin Furniture
Mix warm water with a few drops of dish soap. Scrub with a soft-bristle brush or sponge. For stubborn mildew or green algae (common on Toronto patios that get shade), mix 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts water and scrub. Rinse thoroughly. For yellowed white plastic, a paste of baking soda and water scrubbed in and left for 10 minutes before rinsing can restore some whiteness.
Aluminum and Metal Furniture
Wipe with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Rinse and dry immediately — leaving metal wet accelerates oxidation. For rust spots on wrought iron, use fine steel wool to remove the rust, then apply a metal primer and touch-up paint to prevent recurrence. Powder-coated aluminum is the most durable — just soap and water is usually sufficient.
Teak and Hardwood Furniture
Scrub with a teak cleaner or a mix of warm water and mild dish soap using a soft brush, following the wood grain. Rinse thoroughly and let dry completely in the sun before applying teak oil or sealant. Never use pressure washers on teak — the high pressure raises the grain and damages the wood.
Fabric Cushions and Slings
Most outdoor cushion covers are machine washable on cold — check the label. For cushion inserts themselves, brush off loose dirt, spray with a solution of dish soap and water, scrub gently with a soft brush, and rinse with a hose. Stand upright to dry completely in the sun before storing — trapped moisture causes mildew.
For sling-style chairs (fabric stretched across a frame), wipe with soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals that can degrade the sling material.
Umbrellas
Open fully and scrub the canopy with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse with a hose. Let dry fully open before closing and storing — a closed wet umbrella develops mildew within days.
End-of-Season Storage (October in Toronto)
- Clean everything before storing — dirt and moisture left over winter accelerates deterioration
- Store cushions indoors or in a waterproof deck box
- Stack plastic and metal chairs and cover with a breathable furniture cover (not a plastic tarp — it traps condensation)
- Apply a coat of teak oil to wood furniture before storing
If your patio clean is part of a bigger whole-home tidy, Maidless serves all of Toronto with professional interior cleaning. Book at maidless.ca.