I’m ready for spring, but my outdoor furniture is not. Right now half of it is stored in the garage, while the rest sits in an outdoor shed. The latter will have to be thoroughly cleaned before it is used for spring picnics or any type of entertaining.
If your outdoor furniture is hibernating for the winter, then consider using these simple cleaning tips on it before you celebrate the change of seasons:
Bathroom Cleaners: Believe it or not, ordinary bathroom cleaner works very well on dirty plastic furniture. Most are designed to remove mold from hard surfaces and they do a great job on outdoor furniture. Comet, Mr. Clean and Kaboom spray cleaners all work well to rid mold and mildew from plastic outdoor furniture.
Bleach: If you are dealing with particularly stubborn mold and mildew on your plastic furniture, then consider using diluted bleach and water. Simply mix a solution using equal parts bleach and water, and then apply it to the outdoor furniture. Don’t forget to rinse the furniture thoroughly afterward, and dry completely with a towel before storing it for the winter.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser: The popular piece of foam does wonders on dirty plastic surfaces. I dampen the Magic Eraser in a bit of soapy water and then scrub away any stains. Depending on how dirty your furniture is you may have to use a bit more elbow grease, but in the end the Magic Eraser works like, well, magic.
Pressure washer: If you have the money to rent one or you actually own a pressure washer, then I would suggest using it to clean your plastic lawn furniture. The machine eliminates surface mold from most plastic surfaces. You can also use alcohol to clean and disinfect the furniture and then treat it with the pressure washer.