The essentials in 30 seconds
Remove cushions and loose dirt first, with a vacuum, a brush or the garden hose. Then wash with mild dish soap in warm water, a washcloth or soft-bristle brush, rinse with clean water and let it air-dry or towel-dry. That works for plastic lumber, injection-moulded plastic, synthetic and natural wicker, wood, wrought iron and aluminium, as POLYWOOD's care guide shows. The main differences: on aluminium, no abrasive pads, bleach or ammonia-based cleaners, which damage the powder coating; on wood, scrub with the grain; on wrought iron, check for chips and rust while cleaning. For cushions, Sunbrella suggests 1/4 cup of mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water, a soft brush, thorough rinsing and air drying; a diluted bleach solution for mildew only on bleach-cleanable fabrics.
- Pressure wash only furniture whose maker allows it, and follow its limits.
- Follow the manufacturer's care instructions: other methods may cause damage.
- Store furniture and cushions under cover in the off-season.
How to clean outdoor furniture
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01
Clear it
Take off cushions and pillows.
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02
Remove loose dirt
Vacuum, brush or hose off dust, pollen and debris.
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03
Mix the solution
Mild dish soap in a bucket of warm water.
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04
Wash
Wipe with a washcloth, let it sit a few minutes, and scrub with a soft-bristle brush; a toothbrush for tight spots.
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05
Rinse
Clean water from the garden hose.
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06
Dry
Air-dry, or towel-dry straight away on aluminium and metal hardware.
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07
Refit cushions
Only when frame and cushions are completely dry.
Outdoor furniture by material
| Material | Clean with | Avoid or check |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic lumber (HDPE) | Dish soap and warm water, soft-bristle brush, rinse; optional bleach solution to sanitise | Abrasive or polishing scrubbers such as eraser pads |
| Aluminium | Hose, dish soap, soft cloth or sponge, rinse, towel-dry at once; 1:1 water and white vinegar for water spots | Abrasive brushes or pads, bleach, ammonia-based cleaners |
| Wrought iron | Vacuum with a brush attachment, soapy washcloth and toothbrush, rinse, towel-dry | Check for chips and rust; touch up once dry |
| Synthetic wicker | Vacuum or paintbrush, soapy water, toothbrush in tight spots, rinse, towel-dry | Leaving cushions on while cleaning |
| Natural wicker | Cloth or duster, spot clean with a sponge and soapy water, towel-dry completely | Cushions back on before it is fully dry |
| Wood | Vacuum, mild soap, soft brush with the grain, rinse, air-dry completely | Using it before it is fully dry |
| Injection-moulded plastic | Soft brush, soapy washcloth, rinse, dry fully |
Cleaning outdoor cushions and fabric
Brush off dirt before it gets embedded, and blot spills with a clean dry cloth; for oil, Sunbrella suggests an absorbent such as cornstarch, removed with a straight edge. For non-removable fabric, apply 1/4 cup of mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water with a soft-bristle brush, let it soak in, rinse out all soap residue and air dry; cleaning the whole panel from seam to seam helps avoid water rings. Removable covers can be hand washed in the same solution; some can be machine washed cold, on a delicate cycle, zips closed, but ask the furniture maker first, as cushion construction varies. For mould and mildew, Sunbrella uses 1 cup of bleach and 1/4 cup of mild soap per gallon of water, left for 15 minutes, then rinsed thoroughly. Avoid hard-bristled brushes and scrubbing, never use a steamer, and only air dry. POLYWOOD suggests propping cushions on their sides to dry faster and storing them in a dry place when not in use.
Deep cleaning a patio umbrella
POLYWOOD's method: open the umbrella and lay it on its side, vacuum off dust, hose both sides, then scrub the canopy and pole with a solution of warm water, 1 cup of bleach and 1/4 cup of soap per gallon, leave it for 15 minutes, rinse thoroughly and let it air-dry open. It warns that this method is only for bleach-cleanable performance fabrics: check with your umbrella's manufacturer first. For sling fabric, it suggests a gentler mix of 1 tablespoon of soap and 2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon, about twice a year, and keeping oil-based products off it: blot any oil and absorb it with cornstarch.
Can you pressure wash outdoor furniture?
Only if its maker says so. POLYWOOD allows it for its plastic lumber furniture with a pressure washer rated no higher than 1,500 psi, a 40-degree fan tip, the nozzle about 8 inches (20 cm) from the surface and slow, even sweeps: spraying one spot continuously can cause gouges. For its in-pool marine-grade resin furniture it says at least 12 inches (30 cm). These limits apply to those products; for other materials and brands, check the care instructions first.
When to clean outdoor furniture
It depends on how much you use it and on your climate. POLYWOOD suggests weekly care plus a deep clean at the start and end of the season for furniture used often or near the coast, and a quick wipe before guests and one deep clean a season in a mild climate with less use. To clean less often: store furniture and cushions in a shed or garage off-season, use covers, keep cushions out of direct sun, and rinse metal hardware with fresh water after contact with salt water.
How to clean outdoor furniture: frequently asked questions
What is the best outdoor furniture cleaner?
For most materials, mild dish soap in warm water with a soft-bristle brush, followed by a rinse. Check your furniture maker's instructions for anything stronger.
How do I clean plastic outdoor furniture?
Brush off debris, wash with soapy water and a washcloth or soft brush, rinse with the hose and let it dry fully.
Can I use bleach on outdoor furniture?
On some materials only. POLYWOOD uses diluted bleach to sanitise its plastic lumber but warns against bleach on aluminium; on fabric, only if it is bleach-cleanable.
How do I clean mildew off outdoor cushions?
Sunbrella suggests 1 cup of bleach and 1/4 cup of mild soap per gallon of water, left 15 minutes, then a thorough rinse and air drying, on bleach-cleanable fabric only.
Can I pressure wash patio furniture?
Only if the manufacturer allows it. POLYWOOD sets a maximum of 1,500 psi, a 40-degree fan tip and a moving wand for its furniture.
How often should I clean outdoor furniture?
At least a deep clean at the start of the season, plus regular wipes; more often near the coast or with heavy use.
Sources
Manufacturer guidance, checked on 2 November 2026 (02/11/2026).
- POLYWOOD · Care and maintenance: how to clean patio furniture ↗Vacuum, dish soap and warm water, washcloth, soft-bristle brush, rinse and air-dry; optional bleach 1 part to 2 parts water with chemical-resistant gloves; no abrasive scrubbers on lumber; pressure washer up to 1,500 psi, 40-degree fan tip, about 8 inches, moving wand, protective gear; stainless hardware and salt water; cushions 1/4 cup soap per gallon, side-propped drying, dry storage; sling fabric mix and oil-based products; umbrella bleach method only on bleach-cleanable fabrics; synthetic and natural wicker, wrought iron, wood with the grain, injection-moulded plastic, marine-grade resin 12 inches; aluminium without abrasives, bleach or ammonia, vinegar for water spots; cleaning frequency and storage. Read in the browser.
- Sunbrella · Upholstery care and cleaning (PDF) ↗Brush off dirt; blot spills; cornstarch for oil; 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water, soft brush, rinse all residue, air dry; seam-to-seam cleaning; removable casings hand washed or machine washed cold on delicate with zips closed after asking the furniture maker; mould and mildew with 1 cup bleach and 1/4 cup soap per gallon, 15 minutes, rinse; no hard brushes or scrubbing; air dry only; no steamer; protect surroundings from bleach and follow its label.
Rust, rot or a cracked frame?
Cleaning will not make it safe to sit on: check the manufacturer's repair advice or replace the damaged part.