Simple Ways To Clean Plastic Patio Furniture

When choosing patio furniture, buyers have several options to match lifestyle, climate, location, and preference. Outdoor furniture made from the good old wood is timeless and classic. It is beautiful, strong, durable, and depending on the species, it is highly weather-resistant. Furniture made from aluminum and stainless steel has designs that will give your patio a contemporary vibe.

Aluminum, known for its excellent corrosion resistant quality and stainless steel, is very sleek and will add a modern touch to your space.There is also wrought iron furniture that is reminiscent of Victorian style gardens with metal benches. Tea time is a must on a glass top table with a wrought iron base. Concrete, the sturdiest and heaviest material, comes in a variety of finishes you can choose from and is easy to maintain.

Then there’s plastic patio furniture. Your run-of-the-mill monoblock chairs and tables are the world’s most common plastic furniture. Don’t be fooled, though, plastic furniture now comes in different impressive styles and various vibrant color selection. While you discover and go through the multiple options for plastic patio furniture, you'll also discover its variants and how to maintain per variant.

Polypropylene Furniture

Abbreviated as PP, it is the material monoblock chair. Polypropylene is an addition polymer made from the propylene monomers and used in a variety of applications. One application is furniture making. Polypropylene furniture is a cheaper alternative to high-end materials like wood. It is lightweight, easy to clean, durable, and is weather-resistant when subject to different conditions. Choosing UV resistant furniture further makes it a sustainable choice.

Cleaning Polypropylene Furniture

Cleaning PP furniture is such a breeze and does not even need any special cleaners. You can easily hose it down and just let it dry. For stubborn stains, you can use a mixture of warm water, laundry detergent, and a capful of bleach per liter of water and give your furniture a good scrubbing.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser also does wonders for hard to remove stains. Regularly cleaning and wiping with a soft cloth can make it look as good as new.

Bonus Tip: If you’re tired of your PP furniture look, you can update it in a different color using spray paint. Use a satin finish that doesn’t fade as fast as its glossy finish counterpart. You can also use fine sandpaper to remove light dents and scratches that PP furniture.

Resin Wicker Furniture

Also known as all-weather wicker or synthetic resin wicker, it is intended to look like real wicker but is more durable than natural wicker. Wicker isn’t material but a weaving technique that uses cane-like materials such as bamboo, rattan, and reed. Real wicker has a comforting allure to it that is both homey and warm. It’s lightweight as well and often paired with a fabric cushion for a more comfortable feel. As much as it is loved, it doesn’t do well in outdoor conditions, so people came up with resin wicker.

Resin wicker is sourced from different types of plastic: polyethylene, nylon, PVC, and HDPE or High-Density Polyethylene, the latter being the most durable. HDPE is more labor-intensive and can withstand higher temperature, which are properties that make resin wicker furniture better than natural wicker for outdoor use.

Cleaning Resin Wicker Furniture

Like any other plastic furniture, resin wicker requires little maintenance and is very straightforward when it comes to cleaning. A pure blast of water from a hose or vacuuming regularly will ensure that no dust in between the layers per weave. A mild detergent and a small soft brush followed up with a water spray are all it takes to clean it. Bleach mixed with water to remove mold and mildew or bird droppings will also help. Others choose to apply a bit of car wax on the outer layer to give it a bit of shine.

Recycled Plastic Furniture

Recycled plastic, also known as plastic lumber, is a material that mimics wood but is made entirely out of 100% plastic. It is used in decking and outdoor furniture such as benches and porch swings that uses synthetic lumber. Plastic lumber comprises of a mixture of either virgin plastic or waste plastics. It can also be shaped and bent using regular woodworking tools. It is waterproof, making it resistant to rot, mold, mildew, and insect damage.

Cleaning Recycled Plastic Furniture

It is maintenance-free, and rather than advance cleaning, recycled plastic furniture will only need simple, regular cleaning. Water, soap, bleach, sponge, and cloth are all you need to clean your plastic lumber furniture. Power washers can also be used to get the stubborn dirt off quickly.

Choosing plastic furniture lets you relax and ease your mind from worries of your furniture rotting, being eaten by termites, getting stains, growing mildews and molds, and a huge bonus is that it is fuss-free to clean and maintain.