LATEST ARTICLES

Topic: Outdoor Furniture

Date Posted: Thursday, December 11, 2014
Posted by: Tanya Zanfa (Master Admin)
Source: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20140911/News/140919045

How to remove summer stains from outdoor furniture

How to remove summer stains from outdoor furniture
By Laura Firszt
Networx
It was a fun summer – lots of barbecues, children romping through the yard, birds and butterflies flittering by – the stuff memories are made of. But now Labor Day has passed, you may be feeling some less enchanting aftereffects. Eww! How did the porch table and chairs get so gunky? And what’s that green splotch on the upholstery? Time to clean the stains summer left behind on your furniture.
General tips
Try to mop up spills immediately to prevent severe staining. Do not pressure wash outdoor furniture. The spray’s force is much too powerful and can tear, mildew or shorten the lifespan of your furnishings. Shower them with your garden hose instead – just make sure they’re waterproof before you try this method. Some upholstered cushions have removable covers that may be put in the washing machine. (Check manufacturer’s instructions.) Use a delicate, cold water cycle, followed by line drying, to prevent shrinkage.
1. Rust
If summer thundershowers have left rust spots on your mesh chairs and loungers, wipe or vacuum off any surface dirt. Then soak a cloth in white vinegar and wrap it around the rusted part. Leave in place for five to 10 minutes, followed by a thorough rinsing with your garden hose. Repeat if necessary. Dry thoroughly. Some folks like to mix baking soda with the vinegar for a boost in cleaning power; however, this results in a gritty paste that can be difficult to remove completely.
2. Avocado
Colorful, tasty guacamole is great as part of a backyard picnic. The greenish-brown smudge it sometimes leaves behind on a patio chair is not so pretty though. To remove this unsightly stain, start by scraping off any remaining avocado pulp with a dull implement such as a plastic knife or Popsicle stick. Gently does it! Next rub a dab of liquid laundry soap into the stain. Let stand, rinse, and repeat as required. You may need to resort to a stain remover stick to get out the last of this stubborn stain.
3. Mud
Kids and swimming pools – or sprinklers, squirt guns, or anything to do with water – go together like summer and sunshine. However, this combo can lead to serious mud stains on your patio seating. Removing mud from the chairs’ framework is simple: before the harsh winter arrives, spread them out on your concrete patio or driveway and let ’em have it with a hose. For fabric, though, the solution seems counter-intuitive. Let the mud dry completely before chipping off as much as possible. Now take liquid laundry detergent or hand soap and massage it into the mark that’s left. Soak it for 15 minutes or more. Should traces remain, use a commercial stain remover.
4. Bird droppings
Remember the birds of summer for their sweet songs, not for their less pleasant “souvenirs.” Get rid of bird droppings by removing as much as you can with a disposable knife or spoon. Then wet the furniture piece and let soak for a few minutes to soften the mess before a good strong hose down. Disinfect your patio furniture by spraying with a mild bleach solution, if desired, and then rinse again. Treat fabric using a liquid enzyme-containing laundry detergent. You may need to apply hydrogen peroxide to remove bird dropping stains that contain berries or grapes. Test a bit in an inconspicuous spot first. Rinse and dry in the sunshine.