Guide  /  Care & Maintenance

How to Clean Outdoor Furniture

A material-by-material guide to cleaning aluminium, resin, timber, teak and cushions the right way, without wrecking the finish.

Outdoor Furniture Ideas  ·  9 min read

A few minutes of the right care keeps quality outdoor furniture looking new for years.

Good outdoor furniture is built to live outside, but a little regular care is what keeps it looking new rather than weathered. The catch is that the right method depends entirely on the material: what protects teak will strip the finish off aluminium, and what cleans resin can ruin fabric. This guide walks through each material in turn, with the correct products, the steps, and the mistakes to avoid. Look after quality pieces properly and they reward you, which is the whole point of buying furniture built to last. See the ranges worth caring for across our outdoor lounges and beyond.

No. 01

Before You Start: The Basics and What to Avoid

Most outdoor furniture needs nothing more than mild soap and warm water. Get the basics right and you rarely need anything stronger.

• Keep it simple. A few drops of mild dish soap in warm (not hot) water, a soft cloth or soft-bristle brush, and a hose for rinsing cover most jobs.
• Test first. Try any cleaner on a hidden spot before going over the whole piece.
• Dry it properly. Towel-dry metal to avoid water spots, and let timber dry in the shade, never in direct sun.

No. 02

Aluminium and Metal

Powder-coated aluminium outdoor furniture is low-maintenance, but a routine wash keeps the finish sharp and prevents oxidation.

• Routine wash. Every few weeks, dust off loose dirt, then wash with mild dish soap and warm water using a non-abrasive sponge. Hose off and towel dry to avoid water spots.
• Stubborn marks. A solution of equal parts white vinegar and water on a soft brush lifts most stains. An aluminium-specific cleaner handles the rest.
• Oxidation (a chalky film). Wash, then apply a non-abrasive aluminium polish and seal with a protective wax or clear coat to stop it returning.
• Surface rust on other metals. Treat gently with a rust remover, then reseal with a metal polish or clear sealant. Skip the steel wool.

Towel-drying aluminium after washing prevents the water spots a hose leaves behind.

No. 03

Resin and Plastic

Polypropylene resin and quality plastics are the easiest of all to clean, which is a big part of their appeal.

• Everyday clean. Warm soapy water and a soft cloth is all it takes. Rinse and let it air dry.
• Grubby or greyed pieces. A mix of white vinegar and water, or a dedicated plastic cleaner, brings the colour back.
• Go gently. Avoid scrubbing brushes and harsh cleansers, which can dull the surface. A soft cloth is enough. For synthetic woven pieces, use a soft brush to reach between the strands.

No. 04

Timber and Teak

Timber needs the most care of any outdoor material, and teak has a few rules of its own. The good news is the routine is simple once you know it.

Cleaning timber, step by step

1. Brush off loose debris, always working with the grain.
2. Wash with mild, biodegradable soap and warm water. Avoid bleach and harsh detergents.
3. Scrub gently along the grain with a soft brush or sponge.
4. Rinse, wipe down, and air-dry in the shade. Drying in direct sun can cause cracking.
5. Once dry, apply a wood conditioner or oil to restore the timber and seal it against moisture and UV.

Clean timber at least once a season, and more often in humid or high-rainfall areas.

Teak: the extra details

• Mildew. Treat with a solution of one part white vinegar to three parts water, scrubbed gently along the grain.
• Stubborn stains. A paste of baking soda and water lifts marks without harsh chemicals.
• Sealing vs oiling. A teak sealer holds the golden colour and keeps the natural oils in. Teak oil can attract dirt, so many owners prefer a sealer. Either is optional: left alone, teak simply settles into a silver-grey patina.

Always work along the grain, and dry timber in the shade to prevent cracking.

Shop Cleaning Products

No. 05

Cushions and Outdoor Fabric

Even weatherproof fabrics like Sunbrella last longer with a little care. The routine is straightforward.

• Regular upkeep. Vacuum or brush off dust and debris before it works into the weave.
• Spot cleaning. Treat marks with a fabric cleaner or mild soap and water, working from the outside of the stain inward.
• Removable covers. Machine-wash per the manufacturer's instructions, then air dry. Do not put them in a hot dryer.
• Store them dry. Bring cushions in during long wet spells to prevent mildew, even the weatherproof ones.

“Match the method to the material and mild soap does almost everything. It is the harsh shortcuts that ruin good furniture.”

No. 06

Mould, Mildew and Stubborn Stains

Australian humidity brings mould and mildew on any surface left damp. Reach for vinegar before anything harsher.

• Mould and mildew. A white vinegar and water solution, sprayed on, left briefly, then scrubbed and rinsed, clears most growth without the damage bleach causes.
• Unknown stains. Identify the stain, test your cleaner on a hidden spot, then let it soak before scrubbing gently.
• Prevention beats cleaning. Breathable outdoor furniture covers keep rain and debris off through storms and the off-season, so there is far less to clean.