Patio furniture is what makes you enjoy your patio. Patios would be useless without them. And patio furniture does not come cheap. For these reasons it is essential that they be maintained well to last long. Cleaning them regularly in spring is one way of making them ready for many more seasons.
Patio furniture is made from teak, wrought iron, plastic and aluminum. Each of these needs to be cleaned differently. These are discussed below.
Teak Furniture
First apply a teak protectant to your teak furniture. Then clean it with the product suggested by the manufacturer. Alternatively, you can use a 2:1 ratio of bleach detergent and water and clean it with a soft thistle brush. Finally rinse with water to remove any remaining soap or dirt. That is all you need to do if you want to retain the patina.
If you want to remove the patina and restore the original color of the teak, then there are products available for that. It is a procedure where you firstly treat the furniture with caustic and then with acid. This is followed by a light sanding. Finally apply sealants to protect the restored color of the teak.
Wrought Iron Furniture
Wrought iron comes made to resist the elements. But sometimes they do get affected and need to be cleaned and given anti rust treatment.
Prepare a solution of mild soap and water in a bucket. Soak a piece of cleaning rag in it and use it to wipe clean the wrought iron furniture. Then rinse off the soap with a hose. Thoroughly dry the furniture. Use a sandpaper lightly to remove any stain or rust marks. Apply a touch up paint after sanding. Many manufacturers supply a touch-up paint kit along with the furniture. They are very easy to use once you understand the instructions.
Plastic Furniture
Cleaning plastic furniture is a walk in the park. All you need is the dishwashing liquid used at home. Take a solution of this liquid in water and use a sponge soaked in the solution to clean the plastic furniture. Once cleaned, let the solution remain on the furniture. Now remove the dirt from the furniture using a tooth brush. Finally rinse and dry.
Aluminum Furniture
Aluminum patio furniture can also be cleaned efficiently by dishwashing liquid. Use a clean cotton cloth, soaked with the dish washing solution, to get rid of all stains and soils from the aluminum furniture. Use a garden hose to rinse off the soap. Then wipe the furniture dry with a soft cloth. Take a soft dry cloth and use to rub some nonabrasive wax on the aluminum furniture. Wax prevents corrosion. To get shine on the furniture, let the wax dry and then buff it off. - 30234
Patio furniture is made from teak, wrought iron, plastic and aluminum. Each of these needs to be cleaned differently. These are discussed below.
Teak Furniture
First apply a teak protectant to your teak furniture. Then clean it with the product suggested by the manufacturer. Alternatively, you can use a 2:1 ratio of bleach detergent and water and clean it with a soft thistle brush. Finally rinse with water to remove any remaining soap or dirt. That is all you need to do if you want to retain the patina.
If you want to remove the patina and restore the original color of the teak, then there are products available for that. It is a procedure where you firstly treat the furniture with caustic and then with acid. This is followed by a light sanding. Finally apply sealants to protect the restored color of the teak.
Wrought Iron Furniture
Wrought iron comes made to resist the elements. But sometimes they do get affected and need to be cleaned and given anti rust treatment.
Prepare a solution of mild soap and water in a bucket. Soak a piece of cleaning rag in it and use it to wipe clean the wrought iron furniture. Then rinse off the soap with a hose. Thoroughly dry the furniture. Use a sandpaper lightly to remove any stain or rust marks. Apply a touch up paint after sanding. Many manufacturers supply a touch-up paint kit along with the furniture. They are very easy to use once you understand the instructions.
Plastic Furniture
Cleaning plastic furniture is a walk in the park. All you need is the dishwashing liquid used at home. Take a solution of this liquid in water and use a sponge soaked in the solution to clean the plastic furniture. Once cleaned, let the solution remain on the furniture. Now remove the dirt from the furniture using a tooth brush. Finally rinse and dry.
Aluminum Furniture
Aluminum patio furniture can also be cleaned efficiently by dishwashing liquid. Use a clean cotton cloth, soaked with the dish washing solution, to get rid of all stains and soils from the aluminum furniture. Use a garden hose to rinse off the soap. Then wipe the furniture dry with a soft cloth. Take a soft dry cloth and use to rub some nonabrasive wax on the aluminum furniture. Wax prevents corrosion. To get shine on the furniture, let the wax dry and then buff it off. - 30234
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