Prepping Your Patio and Patio Furniture for Spring

We’ve had a mild winter so far in the Mid-Atlantic area, but the colder weather still takes its toll on your patio and patio furniture. Getting your patio in shape can seem like a chore, but it’s not as bad as you think. Here are a few ways to get it done effectively and efficiently.

First, remove everything from the area including grills, patio furniture and décor. Sweep the patio surface and then scrub with an appropriate cleaner as recommended by your paver manufacturer. Read instructions carefully and follow them. Pressure wash it off or use a strong garden hose.

Now that your surface is clean, it’s time to focus on cleaning your patio furniture. There are different types of patio furniture and we’ll tell you how to best clean and care for plastic, metal, wooden and upholstered furniture.

One of the reasons why plastic furniture is so preferred is that it is cheap. Another one is that it is among the least demanding types of outdoor furniture in terms of maintenance and cleaning service. All you will ever need is a bucket of warm water mixed with baking soda and a sponge to get the furniture clean and sanitized with ease.

Keep in mind that there is always the risk of mildew and mold, so be ready to introduce a mix of one part bleach and four parts water. This works great for white-colored furniture, whereas for other colors you can replace the bleach with white vinegar.

To get the shine back to your metal and wrought iron furniture, you can introduce some mild dishwashing solution you use in your home cleaning chores and warm water – a lot of stains and other spoils on the furniture can be cleaned that way.

Simply scrub with a brush and rinse clean with water. Properly dry with a clean cloth before you expose the furniture to direct sunlight. If you see rust on your furniture, take care of it quickly before the issue escalates. Work with fine sandpaper and apply primer.

A simple, soapy solution works great for wood furniture. Just spray and clean with a cloth. The same means you use in your patio cleaning also apply for wood— you can effectively remove dust and dirt through jet washing.

Teak furniture can be cleaned with an all-natural cleaner.

Do not forget about your fabric covers and cushions. It is likely that they will get dirty over time, so make sure you clean them often. Regular machine washing with an all-natural cleaner works the best for the furniture and the environment such as Simple Green.

Your patio is now clean and your furniture is sparkling. It’s time to add back in the finishing touches. Inspect them closely and consider if they will work in your outdoor space again this year. If they don’t, start replacing them to reflect your new design plan. Replace old candles, dead plants, furniture, light bulbs, tattered rugs and artwork. Our Gift Shop is stocked with the latest and greatest in home and garden décor and furniture.

Looking to upgrade your patio, add a fire pit or outdoor fireplace, enhance your walks and paths, redo your pool patio? Now is the time! Our Custom Landscaping Department will be happy to help you through the process.