Summer time usually means spending a lot more time outdoors and utilizing that dusty old patio furniture. If you have a big BBQ or gathering coming up and you would like to get your patio furniture in tip top shape, here are some useful points for patio furniture cleaning:

1. Remove all cushions from the frames before cleaning your patio furniture. These will be cleaned separately.

2. Clean your patio furniture frames:

Plastic (resin) patio furniture: Clean with water. If particularly dirty, clean with a mild soap, sponge and water.

Metal patio furniture: Clean with water and mild soap. Most metal patio furniture is already made rust- resistant or rust-free but if yours is not, you can coat it with a paste wax after cleaning.

Wicker: Clean with water or with mild soap. Put outside to dry completely after washing. If needed, coat with a paste wax after cleaning.

Wood: If varnished for outdoor weather (as most wooden patio furniture will be), clean with water and mild soap. Let dry completely. If your wooden furniture is not varnished or finished for outdoor weather, clean it first, let it dry completely, then sand it down and apply several coats of an outdoor varnish or finish (or even paint if you’d like).

3. Clean your patio furniture fabric. Spot clean with soap and water then rinse completely with water. Put cushions out in the sun to dry completely. Some patio furniture has removable covers which can be machine washed.

4. During the winter or rainy seasons, story your patio furniture indoors if at all possible (in a garage, shed, etc.). Do not ever wrap in plastic (this promotes mold and mildew growth) but furniture can be covered loosely with a weather resistant cloth covering. At the very least, store furniture cushions indoors during bad weather conditions or when not in use for long periods of time.

Hopefully these tips help you prepare your patio furniture for some good summer BBQs and get-togethers. Don’t forget the watermelon!