The elements can take a toll on your patio furniture. With time and exposure, it’s easy for a layer of grime to build on chairs, tables and more. Some of this grime comes from ambient dust in the air — cars driving by, windblown dust, grass clippings, etc. In humid areas, mildew is another concern — something that will build up and leave dark stains and streaks on plastic, wood, fabric and more. If you notice green stains, it may be mold or  moss, which is another issue common to humid areas.

Everyone wants their patios to be a clean, inviting place. With the right tools, it’s not hard to keep everything neat and tidy. If you’re wondering how to prep your patio for outdoor time, here’s how to clean lawn furniture quickly and easily.

How Often Should You Clean Patio Furniture?

The answer to this question largely depends on where you live. In general, all homeowners should give their patio furniture a thorough pressure washing each spring before the start of patio season. In some areas, though, you may want to do it more often. If humidity is high, for instance, then mildew and moss may be a recurring issue. In that case, you’ll want to pressure wash two or three times a summer to keep everything looking its best.

How to Clean Patio Furniture of All Kinds

Pressure washers are the best way to get patio furniture clean. Lots of homeowners rely on SIMPSON pressure washers for this and other tough jobs. That’s because they have plenty of power and they’re versatile. Different models allow you to adjust water pressure, which is important when you’re cleaning mixed material items found in patio furniture. 

Keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Metal: Unpainted iron, aluminum and other types of metal furniture are best cleaned with high pressure or a turbo nozzle to remove dirt and oxidation. Turbo nozzles rotate as they spray, which gives patio furniture a thorough scrubbing. If your metal furniture is painted, use a 40-degree fan nozzle to prevent damage to the paint.
• Glass: To power wash a glass table, use a pressure washer nozzle that sprays in a 25-degree fan pattern. Keep the nozzle at least 12” from the glass It’s wise to use somewhat lower pressure than for metal to prevent breaking the glass.
• Wood and wicker: For wood and wicker, avoid turbo nozzles and nozzles that spray in a high-pressure stream. At higher pressures, these can leave gouges in the wood. Instead, use a 25-degree or 40-degree fan nozzle to blast grime and stains.
• Plastic and resin: Dirt and mildew have a habit of sticking to plastic and resin patio furniture. To get these types of tables and chairs clean, give each piece of furniture a good scrubbing with a strong detergent made for your type of furniture. Then, using a 25-degree fan nozzle, rinse the soap and grime.

Can You Pressure Wash Patio Cushions?

Yes, you can! For cushions and upholstery, the key is to start with a good detergent designed for cleaning fabrics. Don’t use bleach, since this can remove color from your furniture. Scrub the upholstery. When finished, use the pressure washer to remove the soap and dirt. Since this is a more delicate job, avoid high-pressure turbo nozzles and instead use something lower-pressure (such as a 40-degree fan nozzle), so that you don’t inadvertently tear or stretch the fabric.

This is a job best done on a warm, sunny day. Once you’re done, place the upholstery in sunlight to dry. The quicker it dries, the less chance for mold or mildew to form.

Pressure washers are a great way to clean almost any piece of outdoor furniture. SIMPSON pressure washers are a favorite among homeowners because they’re made with quality parts, built to last, and they have all the power and versatility you need to get a variety of jobs done.