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How To Clean Patio Furniture With Vinegar

Are you tired of your patio fu...

Are you tired of your patio furniture looking dull, lifeless, meildew, and even dirty? 


Have you tried most of the typical cleaning methods, like detergents or scrubbing with water, but still can't seem to attain your desired result?


Cleaning furniture with white distilled vinegar is a safe, cost-effective, time-tested, and ultra-simple solution to your woes! 

How To Clean Patio Furniture With Vinegar


Because vinegar is a natural cleansing product that can easily cut through the dirt and grime that often collects on outdoor furniture.


In this article, we'll be exploring how to clean patio furniture with vinegar and provide step-by-step instructions on what to do.

How Vinegar Can Help Clean Outdoor Furniture


People buy patio furniture for personal or professional reasons, from adding beauty to their outdoor space to creating inviting areas for outdoor entertainment, business, or relaxation.


Whatever the purpose, keeping this furniture looking its best is crucial. 

How To Clean Patio Furniture With Vinegar


Unfortunately, due to constant exposure to dirt, rain, and other natural elements, outdoor furniture often gets dingy-looking over time.

What Is Vinegar

Vinegar is an acidic liquid used for various purposes, including cleaning! 


It's made through a fermentation process, where bacteria break down the sugars in a liquid such as an apple cider - or alcohol like beer and wine - and turns the liquid into acetic acid.

Why Vinegar Can Help

Vinegar can help restore your patio furniture to its former glory by breaking down dirt, grime, and other buildups.


It's also a great tool for cleaning mildew and mold, which can form on outside furniture, especially in damp conditions.


It can also help remove tough stains from outdoor furniture without the need for damaging harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, or solvents.


And best of all, vinegar is an inexpensive and safe alternative to many other cleaning solutions!

How To Clean Patio Furniture And Cushion With Vinegar

Now that you're on board with using vinegar to clean your patio furniture, it's time to discuss exactly how to do it!

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need a few items for this process, including the following:


Vinegar

Cleaning Cloth

Bucket

Warm water

Soft-bristle brush or broom
 

Step 2: Brush Away Debris

First things first, you need to make sure the furniture is free of dirt and debris. 

 

Use a broom or soft-bristle brush to sweep away any dirt, leaves, or other debris that may have gathered on the furniture.

How To Clean Patio Furniture With Vinegar


This process exposes the fabric on the furniture to ensure easy, even cleaning.

Step 3: Make Your Vinegar Solution

Now it's time to mix a cleaning solution of vinegar and water. 


Diluting the vinegar with water is important because it will make the solution less acidic and protect the material from damage.


Simply mix one-part white vinegar with four parts warm water in a bucket.

Step 4: Dip Your Cleaning Cloth Into the Vinegar Solution

Once you have your vinegar solution ready, it's time to get cleaning! 


Dip your cleaning cloth into your vinegar solution, then wring it out so the cloth is damp but not soaked.

How To Clean Patio Furniture With Vinegar


Make sure to avoid getting the cloth too wet, as this can overly soak your fabric and damage the furniture, especially if the fabric is just water-resistant and not waterproof.

Step 5: Clean the Furniture

Start by cleaning the top surface of the furniture with your damp cloth. 


Gently scrub away the dirt or grime that has built up, then wipe dry with a clean cloth or towel to remove any remaining residue.


If the furniture has cushions, be sure to clean those too. 

How To Clean Patio Furniture With Vinegar


Wipe down the cushions with your damp cloth - which you may need to re-soak and squeeze - then scrub away any dirt embedded in them.

Step 6: Let the Furniture Dry

Once the furniture has been cleaned, it's important to let it air dry. Leave the furniture out in the sun or a well-ventilated room so that it can dry out completely.

How To Clean Patio Furniture With Vinegar


This will help to prevent any mildew or mold from forming on the furniture once you've cleaned it.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have additional questions about how to clean patio furniture with vinegar, we're here to help. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about this subject.

What type of vinegar should I use to clean patio furniture?

There are many different types of vinegar, including apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, and more.


However, it's important to use white distilled vinegar for cleaning purposes to ensure that you don't end up staining or ruining any of your pieces with colored vinegar.

How often should I clean my patio furniture with vinegar?

How often you might want to clean your patio furniture with vinegar will depend on how often you use it and how often it's exposed. 


If you put it away during the rainier months, or if you don't often have events, you might not need to clean it as much.


In general, we recommend cleaning your outdoor furniture at least once a month, but you can always do it more when you feel it's needed.

How can I protect my patio furniture from future damage?

The best way to protect your patio furniture is to cover it when not in use. 


Invest in waterproof covers or tarps that shield the furniture from rain, snow, and other outdoor elements.

Can I use vinegar to clean outdoor metal furniture?

This article has focused on cleaning fabric. But yes! You can also use vinegar to clean and shine up outdoor metal furniture. 


Make sure to dilute the vinegar with water before cleaning it, as undiluted vinegar can damage these items.

Where can I find vinegar?

Many people already have vinegar in their kitchen cupboards, but if you don't have it, don't worry! You can find vinegar in most grocery stores and online retailers.


You can start by visiting your local supermarket and asking the staff where to find vinegar in the store.

Wrapping Up

Cleaning your patio furniture doesn't have to be a daunting chore or challenging task!


Using just vinegar and water, you can easily and effectively clean your outdoor furniture without harsh chemicals.


After following the simple steps laid out in this article, your patio furniture will look new again.


Spring Nee

Spring Nee is an outdoor furniture expert with 18 years of experience.

 

She has extensive experience in outdoor design, including choosing furniture materials, following trends, and adding useful elements.

 

As a thought leader in the outdoor furniture industry, Spring has been a regular contributor to various blogs, magazines, and design forums

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