How to Clean Your Patio Furniture

Outdoor patio furniture on a wooden deck

Created by: Clorox

Ready to sit back and enjoy cold drinks on the patio? Make sure your patio furniture is party-ready, too.

Quick Cleans and Wipe Downs

Have a few minor splatters and spills at your backyard birthday barbecue? For a quick clean, wipe your patio table and chairs with disinfecting wipes. To bring your umbrellas and patio furniture out of hibernation, give them a quick wipe down with household cleaner, bleach, and a paper towel.

Deep Clean

For a deeper clean, wash patio furniture with outdoor bleach. 

Here's how:

  • Mix 2 1/2 cups of outdoor bleach product with 1 gallon of water in a plastic bucket or container.
  • Scrub with a brush or push broom (soaked in the solution) until it's clean. Heavily soiled surfaces may require a little extra scrubbing.
  • Rinse treated and surrounding areas thoroughly with water.

Plastic, Wood, and Glass

Hard, nonporous patio furniture surfaces* like plastic, painted wood (Adirondack chairs), and glass (tabletops) can be cleaned with regular bleach.

Here's how:

  • Water any nearby plants that may come in contact with runoff from the bleach and water solution (driveway is a good place).
  • Mix 1/2 cup regular bleach per 1 gallon water in a plastic container or bucket.
  • Use a hose with a nozzle to rinse off each item.
  • Use a brush or sponge to apply the bleach solution, reapplying as necessary to keep the item wet for at least 5 minutes.**
  • Rinse the items and allow them to air dry.
  • Re-water plants as needed.

*Avoid using bleach on non-stainless steel, aluminum, or chipped enamel. Wear gloves to avoid irritation.

**Helpful hint: Try not to clean everything at once. You'll need to start rinsing your surfaces 5 minutes after you begin, so take your time. Then you can avoid leaving the bleach and water solution on too long.