How to clean white polywood furniture? The most effective ways
Outdoor furniture made of polywood is the most popular options people purchase as patio furniture. It is quite durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions. White polywood furniture becomes dirty more often. Cleaning such poly furniture can be quite challenging. When you know the basic instructions, you won’t experience any difficulties, though.
In this article, we will tell you how to clean white polywood furniture and what steps you should follow if you want to achieve the best result. Knowing this information will result in your outdoor furniture looking brand-new and serving you for many years.
Why do you need to clean polywood furniture?
People pick this type of patio furniture for several reasons. It doesn’t require you to constantly refresh its look, paint over it and the dirt can be wiped off with just a damp cloth.
Another important reason is that such outdoor furniture is usually made out of recycled material. Failing to maintain the poly lumber furniture leads to it losing its appearance and becoming filthy.
If the poly furniture isn’t extremely filthy, wiping it with a clean cloth and some cleaning agent should be sufficient. If you see severe contamination and large stains, you will need to follow our instructions on how to clean the outdoor poly furniture to achieve the best result.
You can also consider using a pressure washer if you own one. Just ensure you set up a low setting on the pressure washer.
Instructions on how to clean white polywood furniture
For a successful result, you will have to obtain certain equipment that will help you perform the cleaning procedure fast and efficiently.
Just remember, if you don’t have something in particular, it can be replaced with similar stuff. Below is a list of things you might require to clean the white polywood furniture.
- A deep bowl for mixing cleaning solutions
- Mild dish soap
- A soft cloth
- A soft bristle brush or any other kind of brush
- Warm water
- Baking soda
- Sea salt
- Some rubbing alcohol
- Wax
Vacuuming visible dirt and debris
It will be wise to start cleaning the polywood furniture with a dry vacuum cleaner first. It will save you heaps of time when you try to get rid of stains scrubbing manually. Large pieces of dirt will be already removed.
1. Get the vacuum cleaner ready
You might think this step isn’t important, but this is not the case. You have to consider what kind of dry vacuum cleaner you own. If it is the upright type, you have to fiddle with the setting, choosing the least powerful mode.
This will prevent any damage to the patio furniture. If you only have a portable car vacuum, ensure the brush attachments don’t have hard bristles, otherwise, it will cause scratches to your patio furniture.
2. Remove dirt and any other contamination
Once the dry vacuum cleaner is set up and ready to be used, start cleaning the top surface of the polywood furniture. Do not apply too much pressure to avoid scratches.
You should go over the curved surface a few times, as the dirt might not be easily removed from the first go. Any large pieces that get stuck in between the rods have to be removed manually.
3. Wiping dry
If the polywood furniture isn’t too dirty, vacuuming should be sufficient to clean it thoroughly. You will just need to finish by wiping the patio furniture with some soft cloth.
If you are satisfied with the result, you can pack away your outdoor furniture till the next season. If there are stains left, you will need to try some other method of cleaning the polywood furniture.
How to make the cleaning solution for outdoor furniture
If you weren’t able to remove all the dirt and stains from the first time, don’t get upset. This simple cleaning solution will help you to achieve the result you are after.
1. Find all the necessary supplies
Before you start the cleaning process, everything has to be ready and placed nearby, so you don’t get distracted later on. Protective gear is recommended as you are going to be working with soap and water. Wear chemical-resistant gloves to protect the delicate skin on your hands.
2. Prepare the cleaning mixture
Add warm water into the deep bowl, followed by a few spoons of mild dish soap. Mix the two ingredients until they become one substance.
3. Test it before using
You can’t predict how your outdoor furniture is going to respond to your mild dish soap. It is advisable to test the cleaning mixture on some not visible parts of the polywood furniture to ensure it doesn’t cause any kind of discoloration. If everything is good, and you can’t see any changes to the polywood furniture surface, this mixture is safe to use.
4. Remove the remnants of the cleaning mixture
Now it is time to clean the polywood furniture using the prepared mixture and a soft cloth. Soak the soft cloth in the prepared solution and wipe the entire surface of the polywood furniture. If you have areas with a lot of dirt and debris and tougher stains, use a household scrub brush and scrub the spots before wiping them with the cleaning mixture.
5. Dry it thoroughly
When you are happy with the result, it is time to wash the soap residue with clean water. Make sure nothing stays on the polywood furniture surface. Take a soft cloth and remove any excess water from the furniture. You can also leave it under direct sunlight for a short period of time until it is completely dry.
Mixing the cleaning solution for outdoor polywood furniture
If for some reason the previous cleaning mixture didn’t work for you, here is another recipe for a homemade cleaning agent. It has proven itself over time to be one of the most effective ways to clean polywood furniture.
It is quite effective on particularly stubborn stains, and yet is safe for those who have small children or animals. So, if this is your case, try it out.
1. Prepare the necessary ingredients
You will require just three ingredients to create this effective cleaning mixture that will help you clean polywood furniture. Ensure you have obtained mild dish soap, baking soda, and some sea salt. Place everything near the area where you are going to be cleaning.
2. Create the cleaning agent
Add everything into a deep bowl. Make sure you stir everything thoroughly so all the ingredients are dissolved in mild dish soap. If the mixture is turning out to be too thick, you can add some warm water to loosen it.
3. Wipe the polywood furniture using the mixture
You will need a soft cloth to apply the mixture onto the polywood furniture surface. Keep applying using the circular motions. For stubborn stains, you will have to use a soft bristle brush.
That way, you will avoid damaging the top layer of the polywood furniture. After you have scrubbed the entire surface, it is time to remove the mixture and the dirt particles from the polywood furniture.
4. Drying time
You have to allow the polywood furniture air dry completely in direct sunlight. It might take just a few minutes if the weather is hot. You can help to speed up the process and go over the polywood furniture with a soft cloth, removing excess water. If you don’t clean outdoor furniture and dry it properly afterward, it will result in mildew growing on it.
Preparation of the cleaning paste
Another option for fighting the stubborn stains is making a paste from baking soda and water. It is easy to find these two ingredients as almost every household has them in the kitchen. And it is super easy to mix them. The result will be quite impressive, and you will definitely add this method to your favorites.
1. Making the paste
You have to keep in mind that the normal consistency must have a paste texture. Add one portion of water and two portions of baking soda. The precise amounts will depend on the size of the polywood furniture surface. If the paste is turning out to be too watery, you just add extra baking soda and stir it thoroughly.
2. Applying the paste
Use a soft bristle brush to layer the paste onto the polywood furniture surface. In some cases, you can also use your fingertips to apply paste onto the stain spots. Scrub the furniture surface and leave the paste to sit for a few minutes. It will soak through the top layer and will help to get the dirt out of the polywood furniture.
3. Scrubbing and removing the remnants
As the substance of the cleaning mixture is a paste, it requires proper scrubbing motions to ensure you get the stains to disappear. After you have performed the scrubbing, take a damp cloth and wipe any remnants of the paste that are left on the white polywood furniture. Allow the outdoor furniture to air dry properly.
There shouldn’t be any soapy water left on the surface. Let it sit in the sun in your outdoor area. Sun exposure will ensure the white polywood furniture is fully dry. It is important to clean polywood furniture regularly, as then you won’t have to go through several cleaning methods in the hope of finding the one that will work.
Regular cleaning with a damp cloth will be more than enough. When the polywood furniture is not in use, always place the furniture cover on top of it to protect it from bad weather and all sorts of dirt and debris landing on it.
Removing the tough stains
What if you have some terrible stains and nothing from the above worked? Don’t get upset, there is a way to remove such spots from your HDPE furniture. This is one of the benefits of having HDPE furniture. Unlike aluminum outdoor furniture or wooden furniture, you can use harsh chemicals such as rubbing alcohol, just you have to be cautious.
1. Prepare all the necessities
Everything you need for this option must be gathered in one location. It will save a lot of time for you. You require a deep bowl with warm water in it, some mild dish soap, a clean cloth, a soft bristle brush, and rubbing alcohol. In some cases, it is safe to add an extra cleaning ingredient such as baking soda or white vinegar to defeat the stain.
2. Make the cleaning mixture
Mix mild dish soap and water. Then it is time for rubbing alcohol. Carefully stir and pour 1/4th cup of rubbing alcohol. Keep stirring until it turns into one substance.
3. Proceed with scrubbing
It is time to take a clean cloth and soak it with the soapy solution you have prepared. Gently scrub the areas with tough stain spots. If you have tried scrubbing for a few minutes and the stain is still present, it is time to add an extra ingredient to your soapy water. Use a soft bristle brush to achieve the best result.
4. Rinsing and drying time
When you have successfully removed the stain, rinse the furniture thoroughly. Let it sit to air dry. You can also wipe the surface with a paper towel to reduce the drying time. Minimal maintenance on a regular basis will result in perfect-looking furniture for many seasons. Food spills have to be cleaned fast, then there will be no stains you have to fight with.
FAQs
How do you get white Polywood white again?
You can try using one of the recipes for the homemade cleaning mixture described above in the article. It will require mild dish soap and warm water mixed in a bowl.
You can take a clean cloth or some sponge and gently scrub the affected areas. Do not use stainless steel hardware as it will damage the surface. Allow the outdoor patio furniture air dry after you have rinsed all soapy water off it.
Do white Polywood chairs stain?
Polywood chairs just like any other kind of outdoor furniture can also get stained. If you procrastinate and don’t remove dirt in time, it will require you to mix a cleaning solution in order to fight it.
Mild soap mixed with warm water will help to get rid of loose dirt. The stains can be scrubbed with a soft brush. You can also use your old toothbrush, it will cope just fine.
Is Polywood hard to clean?
Some stains can be very difficult to remove. You can try using precision pour bleach gel. Mix mild dish soap with it. That is, so you splash less bleach and the chance of furniture discoloration is less. Apply a thin coat of the mixture onto the stain and wait a couple of minutes.
Once the solution penetrates the top layer, the stain will be dissolved. You can scrub the stain gently using a soft brush. In some cases, it is worth trying to use a power washer. Just adjust the settings according to the type of material the furniture is made out of. Once the furniture is free from loose dirt and stains, let it sit in the outdoor space to dry fully.
Following a few simple steps of cleaning the furniture regularly will ensure the process of cleaning will be easy and fast. You will just need to wipe the surface with a soapy solution of fresh water and dish soap. Remember to rinse with clean water and dry in the sun.
Will Polywood fade in the sun?
If you leave polywood furniture in the sun for very long, the chance it will fade is quite high. Ensure you use some covers over the furniture when it is not in use. Pack the furniture away when the season is over. Remember to clean it first to ensure it keeps its original appearance.
The easiest way will be to use dish soap, water, and a soft-bristled brush. Once you scrubbed and removed the stains, rinse with clean water until all dish soap is gone and leave it outside to dry.
Conclusion
As you can see, following a few simple steps will lead you to spotless, clean outdoor furniture. The outdoor cushions can be cleaned using the same methods described above. It is way easier to maintain regular cleaning rather than fighting with tough stains. Always clean the loose debris with a dry vacuum cleaner first.
Depending on the severity of the stains, prepare the cleaning mixture with dish soap according to the instructions above. Use a soft bristle brush on stubborn stain spots. Unlike wood furniture that has a protective sealant, high-density polyethylene can withstand some pressure applied to it. Allowing the furniture to air dry properly is also important, don’t skip this part of the process.
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Read also our guide: Mixed Lysol And Bleach: What Will Happen?
Hi, I’m Anna Jeffery, an experienced author and cleaning expert. I strive to share my knowledge with everyone by writing useful guides and tips to keep their living and working spaces clean and healthy. I believe everyone deserves to live in a clean and organized environment, and I take pride in knowing that my articles are helping people achieve that goal. Stay tuned for practical and useful cleaning tips!
