Why Does Outdoor Furniture Need a Proper Clean Before Summer?

Most outdoor furniture on the North Shore spends winter tucked under a cover or pushed against a fence, and that stillness is part of the problem.

Without regular sun and airflow, moisture sits on plastic, timber, aluminium and fabric surfaces for days at a time. Add in fallen leaves, pollen and general Auckland dampness, and by spring most sets have a layer of green or black mould in the crevices, a dull, sticky film over any plastic or resin pieces, and cushions that smell musty even if they look fine from a distance.

Cleaning outdoor furniture properly is a different job from wiping down a kitchen bench. The materials vary a lot piece to piece, from powder coated aluminium frames to woven wicker and UV treated fabric, and what works well on one can dull or damage another. Getting the order and the products right matters more than scrubbing hard.

If your deck or patio needs attention too, our guide to how often you should deep clean your home covers where outdoor areas fit into a seasonal routine.

What You’ll Need

You will not need anything stronger than this for most outdoor sets, whatever they are made from.

If you are dealing with mould in bathrooms or on silicone rather than on outdoor furniture, our guide on removing mould from silicone sealant covers that job specifically.

How to Clean Each Type of Outdoor Furniture

1. Plastic and resin furniture. Hose off loose dirt, then scrub with warm water and a few drops of dish soap using a soft brush, paying extra attention to the underside of arms and legs where mildew collects. Rinse well and leave to air dry in the sun, which helps fade any remaining mould marks naturally.
2. Aluminium frames. Wipe down with a soapy cloth rather than an abrasive scourer, since aluminium can scratch. Dry thoroughly afterward, as trapped moisture around joints and screws is what leads to corrosion over time.
3. Timber furniture. Brush off any surface mould with a soft bristle brush and warm soapy water, working with the grain, then rinse and let it dry fully in the sun before it goes back into regular use.
4. Wicker and rattan. Use a soft brush or an old toothbrush to work soapy water into the weave, since dirt and mould tend to sit in the gaps rather than on the surface. Rinse gently with a hose on a low setting and stand pieces somewhere airy to dry completely.
5. Outdoor cushions and fabric. Vacuum first to lift dust and loose debris, then sponge clean with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap, working the fabric gently rather than scrubbing hard. See our fabric couch cleaning guide for the same gentle approach applied indoors.
6. Umbrellas and shade sails. Take the fabric down if it is removable and hose it off flat on a clean surface, then wash with soapy water and a soft brush before rinsing and drying completely to stop mildew setting into the fibres.
7. Glass table tops. A simple wipe with warm soapy water and a microfibre cloth is usually enough, followed by a dry cloth to avoid streaking once the surface warms up in the sun.

Keeping It Clean Through Summer

• Wipe frames down after rain rather than letting water sit and dry on the surface
• Bring cushions and fabric pieces inside, or under cover, overnight and during extended wet weather
• Give furniture a light hose down every few weeks through the warmer months to stop dust and pollen building up
• Store or cover furniture over winter if it is not being used, rather than leaving it fully exposed
• Check timber pieces each season for any spots where the sealant has worn through

Getting the Rest of the House Ready Too

If you are giving the outdoor areas a proper going over, it is worth doing the same indoors while you are at it. Our room by room spring cleaning checklist covers the rest of the house, and if you are prepping the deck or patio for entertaining this summer, our guide on cleaning a BBQ before summer is a natural next step.