Outdoor metal furniture is stylish, beautiful, and durable, making it a popular choice in today’s furniture market. Outdoor weather is changeable, and regular maintenance can make your metal furniture more attractive. How to clean metal outdoor furniture? Each material has its unique characteristics and should be cleaned differently.Common metal furniture materials include wrought iron, aluminum and stainless steel. Next, let’s learn more about how to clean furniture made of these three materials.
Cleaning Tools You'll Need:
This list includes common cleaning and maintenance items for metal outdoor furniture. Before cleaning, choose the right tools for your furniture based on the material it is made of and the manufacturer’s product description.
- Damp Cloth
- Soapy Water
- Soft-Bristle Brush
- Toothbrush
- Warm Water
- Microfiber Cloth
- Sandpaper (for wrought iron furniture)
- Metal Spray Paint (for wrought iron furniture)
- Aluminum Polish
- Stainless Steel Polish
How to Clean Wrought Iron Outdoor Furniture?
The first step in cleaning wrought iron outdoor furniture is to wipe the surface of the furniture with a damp cloth to remove floating dust and other loose dirt. Next, use a soft-bristled brush dipped in mild soapy water to fully clean the furniture. If your furniture has intricate designs such as carvings, use a toothbrush to scrub deep into the carving details after the overall cleaning is complete.
At the end of the scrubbing, rinse the furniture thoroughly with warm water and dry the furniture immediately with a microfiber cloth to avoid water residue leading to rust.
While wrought iron furniture is durable, it’s prone to rust if exposed to moist environment for a long period of time. Rust not only affects the appearance, but also weakens the structural strength of the furniture. You can spray the rusted area with white vinegar or a professional rust remover, and then lightly sand the rusted area with 80-120 grit sandpaper. After cleaning, use similar color metal spray paint for refinishing to protect the bare metal from further oxidation.
How to Clean Aluminum Outdoor Furniture?
Aluminum outdoor furniture is cleaned similarly to wrought iron furniture. Again, wipe the furniture with a damp cloth before performing a deep clean. This is followed by a thorough scrubbing with a soft bristle brush dipped in mild soapy water. Rinse off with warm water after cleaning and dry immediately with microfiber cloth.
Although aluminum furniture has excellent resistance to rust, is prone to oxidation or discoloration over time. If the surface is still dull or scratched after cleaning, apply Aluminum polish to the oxidized areas to help restore the original shine and repair scratches.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Outdoor Furniture?
Stainless steel outdoor furniture can be cleaned in a similar way to the wrought iron and aluminum furniture mentioned earlier. But it’s important to note that when using a soft-bristle brush, you should scrub along the metal texture to avoid scratching the surface. Wipe it dry carefully immediately after cleaning, as water stains are easily left on the stainless steel surface.
If you want to maintain the shine of your stainless steel outdoor furniture after cleaning, it’s recommended to use stainless steel polish regularly. It not only prevents fingerprints and water stains from adhering, but also forms a protective film on the surface of the furniture, further slowing down the oxidization process.
Maintenance Tips: How to Protect Metal Outdoor Furniture?
No matter how durable metal outdoor furniture is, it can still struggle to withstand long-term exposure to wind, sun, and rain if it’s not properly protected. In order to extend the service life of the furniture and maintain its appearance, regular maintenance is essential.
- Regular Cleaning: Clean outdoor metal furniture regularly to avoid long-term accumulation of dust, oil stains, etc., and reduce the risk of mold growth and corrosion.
- Keep the Furniture Dry: Dry the furniture promptly after cleaning or rain, and check whether there is water accumulation at the frame joints to prevent rust.
- Regularly Inspect and Repair: Check the condition of metal furniture regularly to ensure that all parts are not loose. At the same time, inspect whether the furniture is damaged or rusted. If any problems are found, repair them in time to avoid further affecting the service life and safety of the furniture.
- Use Furniture Covers: When metal outdoor furniture is not in use, please cover it with a waterproof and breathable outdoor furniture cover to reduce damage to the furniture caused by weather factors and effectively prevent dust accumulation.
- Proper Storage: Before the rainy season or winter comes, it’s best to move the furniture into a ventilated and cool indoor place for storage to reduce the impact of the humid environment on the metal material.
- Apply a Metal Protective Coating: Regularly apply varnish, wax, or a specialized metal protector to metal outdoor furniture, which creates a protective film on the surface of the furniture that effectively prevents moisture, oxygen, and UV rays from attacking the metal, thus reducing the risk of rust and oxidation.
- Avoid Contact with Chemicals: Avoid exposing metal furniture to solutions containing strong acids, bases or chlorine, as these chemicals can damage the protective layer and cause corrosion. At the same time, avoid using detergents containing bleach when cleaning, which can accelerate metal aging and cause discoloration or damage.
Final Thoughts
Regular cleaning and maintenance are the key to keeping your metal outdoor furniture beautiful and durable. After reading the methods we share, do you think it’s not as complicated as you imagined? We hope these tips we shared can help you protect your beloved metal outdoor furniture for a long time and create a comfortable and textured outdoor space.
