Fill a spray bottle with 1/2 cup of vinegar, a teaspoon of Dawn, and warm water. Spray the furniture, especially in the creases and folds and dirtier areas. Let the solution soak in. If you have a hard spray water hose, use that to do the scrubbing, or scrub the furniture by hand. Thoroughly rinse all the surfaces, then wipe it down with clean rags. Use Rustoleum-type paint to repaint any rusty areas or to change the colors.
I live on a lake and fight mold and pollen build up on furniture all summer.
In the beginning of the season anything plastic gets power washed. This includes chase lounges by the water, children's picnic table, kids water table, and deck chairs. For metal and glass pieces, and faux wicker, I use hot water with a few drops of dish soap and maybe a cup or so of vinegar (to one bucket of hot water). I scrub these pieces with a large tire brush. The brush really helps get in all the cracks. I find thats where mildew builds up first.
All of my wood furniture gets covered for the winter. We live in Michigan. Painted wood furniture gets a wipe down with soapy water (one large bucket with hot water, and a few drops of dish soap). All my teak dining sets get washed with the same mild dish soap solution, and then rubbed (once completely dry) with teak oil.
As far as cushions and pillows, this is my routine. Cushions with a zipper get the interior removed. I then check all the seams for weak points; if the cushion has a hole or a seam feels weak, I spot clean. However, if they feel solid, I zip the cover shut and wash in my washing machine. Cushions and pillows without zippers get checked for weak seams, and then placed directly into my front loader washing machine. I use an incredibly small amount (maybe 1 tablespoon) of scent free, color free, soap and double wash these. My stuff comes out looking new every time.
Concrete and decking get hosed off and scrubbed with a boat dock brush. This $25 broom handle brush is amazing. It keeps you off your hands and knees when scrubbing floors or chase lounges.
Here is a link to my home if you want to check out my outdoor areas. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the post to see the patio furniture.
Every time I clean my mirrors, they end up having tons of streaks and almost look worse than before I started. What could I use to clean them that won't leave streaks...
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Hot soapy Dawn water and a soft scrub brush
Fill a spray bottle with 1/2 cup of vinegar, a teaspoon of Dawn, and warm water. Spray the furniture, especially in the creases and folds and dirtier areas. Let the solution soak in. If you have a hard spray water hose, use that to do the scrubbing, or scrub the furniture by hand. Thoroughly rinse all the surfaces, then wipe it down with clean rags. Use Rustoleum-type paint to repaint any rusty areas or to change the colors.
Hi there, depending on the materials this may help! https://www.hgtv.com/remodel/outdoors/outdoor-furniture-options-and-ideas
HI Sharlene,
I live on a lake and fight mold and pollen build up on furniture all summer.
In the beginning of the season anything plastic gets power washed. This includes chase lounges by the water, children's picnic table, kids water table, and deck chairs. For metal and glass pieces, and faux wicker, I use hot water with a few drops of dish soap and maybe a cup or so of vinegar (to one bucket of hot water). I scrub these pieces with a large tire brush. The brush really helps get in all the cracks. I find thats where mildew builds up first.
All of my wood furniture gets covered for the winter. We live in Michigan. Painted wood furniture gets a wipe down with soapy water (one large bucket with hot water, and a few drops of dish soap). All my teak dining sets get washed with the same mild dish soap solution, and then rubbed (once completely dry) with teak oil.
As far as cushions and pillows, this is my routine. Cushions with a zipper get the interior removed. I then check all the seams for weak points; if the cushion has a hole or a seam feels weak, I spot clean. However, if they feel solid, I zip the cover shut and wash in my washing machine. Cushions and pillows without zippers get checked for weak seams, and then placed directly into my front loader washing machine. I use an incredibly small amount (maybe 1 tablespoon) of scent free, color free, soap and double wash these. My stuff comes out looking new every time.
Concrete and decking get hosed off and scrubbed with a boat dock brush. This $25 broom handle brush is amazing. It keeps you off your hands and knees when scrubbing floors or chase lounges.
Here is a link to my home if you want to check out my outdoor areas. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the post to see the patio furniture.
Good luck, sorry my response was so long!
Cheers! Lauren - The Little Lake Cottage
Pressure washer!