A note on safety: Wear gloves and a mask while you clean, and work in a well-ventilated area – (as you’re cleaning outdoor furniture, obviously outdoors is well-ventilated!). Don’t mix cleaners, or bleach and vinegar together, and follow all the manufacturer's instructions on any products you use.
Also – clean your outdoor furniture away from any plants or grass as chemical run off can damage them. Make your own chemical-free all-purpose cleaner.
Plastic
You can use good old vinegar to clean mould from plastic furniture. Just spray distilled white vinegar onto the mould and let it sit for about an hour. Rinse with warm, clean water.
Wicker
Clean wicker furniture with a solution of bleach in water (at least 10% bleach to 90% water mixture). Let it dry in the sun and then place your wicker furniture in a covered area with plenty of air flow. Always keep wicker furniture undercover to protect it from sun and rain damage.
Metal/aluminium
For a quick clean, use a spray cleaner such as window cleaning fluid, then wipe it with a soft, micro-fibre towel. Finish it off by washing away any residue with hot water and dry again with a microfibre cloth.
Wood
Basic cleaning for most types of wood is mild soap and water. First, use a soft nylon brush to remove debris, then clean the surface with mild soap and warm water, using a sponge or damp cloth. Wipe down the piece with a lint-free cloth and allow the wood to air dry.
Fabric cushions
To clean fabric cushions, dilute a 1⁄2 cup of bleach into 1 gallon of water. Use a spray bottle to apply the mixture, then clean with a nylon scrubbing brush. Rinse the cushions and dry outside in the sun. If the mould is bad, you may have to repeat the process. Always do a spot test before using bleach on your outdoor fabric – not all can withstand the use of bleach.
And if you are in a spring-cleaning mood, here are some great shortcuts to save time.
