A spring ritual for the outdoor room, and how to keep it looking good through an Australian summer.
The first warm weekend of spring tends to arrive before we're ready for it. The table is dusty, the cushions have spent winter in a cupboard, and there is a fine film of pollen over everything. Before the first long lunch of the season, the outdoor room needs a little attention.
In much of Europe, cleaning outdoor furniture is a seasonal ritual rather than a chore. Pieces are brought out in spring, washed down, and put to use every day until autumn. The approach works just as well here. A gentle clean at the start of the season, and a few small habits through it, will keep your furniture looking considered for years rather than months.
The golden rule is simple: be gentle. Most outdoor furniture is designed to handle the weather, but not harsh chemicals, abrasive scrubbers or a high-pressure hose. A soft cloth, clean water and a light touch will do almost everything you need, and the care label is always the place to start.
Before you start
Gather a small kit first, as you'll need very little. A few clean, lint-free microfibre cloths will handle most of the work, ideally in white or an undyed shade so no colour transfers onto pale fabrics or finishes, along with a soft-bristled brush, a bucket of lukewarm water and a mild, pH-neutral cleaner for frames and tabletops. Keep a garden hose nearby on a gentle spray setting, and a clean, dry towel so you can dry each piece as you go.
Before you begin, check the care label and test any cleaner on a small, hidden area first. Methods differ from one material to the next, and our Product Care page covers fabric, stone and timber in detail. It's worth getting right, as damage from improper cleaning isn't covered by warranty.
If you can, choose a mild, overcast morning. Cleaning in direct afternoon sun dries water onto surfaces before you can wipe it away, leaving streaks and spots. Work from the top of each piece down, so dirt and water run away from the areas you've already cleaned.
Aluminium and metal frames
Powder-coated aluminium is one of the easiest materials to care for. It doesn't rust, and a regular wash is usually all it needs.
Give the frame a gentle rinse to lift loose dust and pollen, then wash it with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth, paying attention to the joints and feet where grime tends to collect. A final rinse and a quick dry with a towel will keep water spots away.
Avoid scouring pads, wire brushes and solvent-based cleaners, which can scratch or dull the powder coat. If you spot a chip in the finish, touch it up promptly so moisture can't get underneath. Steel pieces need extra care here, since an exposed patch can begin to rust.
Polypropylene chairs
Polypropylene chairs are among the easiest pieces to care for. They're lightweight, weather-resistant and made to be used every day.
A wipe with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water is all they need, followed by a rinse with clean water and a quick dry with a towel. Avoid abrasive pads, wire brushes and harsh solvents, which can scratch or dull the surface. Where a chair has a steel frame, check it now and then for chips in the finish and touch them up promptly.
Teak
Teak is naturally hardy and holds its structure for decades outdoors. Left as it is, it slowly weathers to a soft silver-grey. Some people love that patina; others prefer to keep the warm original tone. Either is fine, as long as you choose deliberately.
Timber likes standing moisture least of all, so keep cleaning light. Brush away leaves and dust with a soft brush or dry cloth, following the grain, then wipe away any marks with a barely damp cloth and dry the surface straight after. Steer clear of all-purpose sprays, polishes and anything abrasive, which can cloud or strip the finish.
Never use a pressure washer on timber. It raises the grain and can strip the surface. If you want to keep the original colour, check which finish your piece has before treating it. An oiled finish can be refreshed now and then with a suitable oil to feed the timber and even the tone, while lacquered and waxed finishes need only gentle cleaning. For a deep scratch or a water mark, a furniture specialist is always the safer choice.
Ceramic and fibre cement tabletops
Ceramic and fibre cement are made for outdoor dining. Both handle heat and rain without fuss, which makes them ideal for long lunches that run into the evening.
For everyday cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth and dry it straight away. For more than dust, a little lukewarm water with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner is enough. Deal with spills such as red wine, oil or bird droppings quickly, before they bake on in the sun, and blot rather than wipe so the mark doesn't spread.
Skip acidic cleaners, vinegar, lemon, abrasive powders and general household sprays, which can dull the surface over time. If you need to clean underneath, lift the tabletop rather than dragging it across the frame.
Cushions and outdoor fabrics
Cushions do the most to make an outdoor room feel inviting, and they need the most care to stay that way.
After each use, brush off crumbs and leaves, and plump and turn your cushions regularly so the filling stays even and wear spreads across the whole piece. When a spill happens, blot it from the outside of the mark inwards with a clean, dry cloth. Never rub, as this pushes the spill deeper. For most marks a little lukewarm water is enough, so avoid soaps and household cleaners unless the care label allows them.
If your covers are removable, follow the care label exactly and never tumble dry them. Outdoor fabrics last longer when they're given a rinse of clean water and allowed to dry completely before storing, since a cushion put away damp is an invitation for mould. For stubborn stains you'd rather not risk, a professional upholstery cleaner is always the safer choice.
On very hot or wet days, bring cushions inside or store them somewhere dry, and give them shelter over the cooler months. It's the single easiest way to extend their life.
Keeping it clean through the season
The Australian climate asks a little more of outdoor furniture than a European summer does. Strong UV, coastal salt air and spring pollen all take their toll, but a few simple habits keep them in check.
Fitted outdoor covers are the best protection between uses, shielding furniture from sun, rain, dust and falling leaves. Make sure furniture is dry before covering it, and let air circulate on humid days.
If you live near the beach or your furniture sits poolside, rinse it with fresh water every so often. Salt air and pool chlorine both leave a residue that can dull finishes over time, and an occasional rinse makes a real difference. For seating close to the water, pieces in water-repellent fabric are the best choice.
UV fades fabrics and weathers timber, so where you can, position furniture in partial shade or under a pergola, and store cushions out of the sun when they're not in use.
Everyday use matters as much as cleaning. If the table doubles as a desk for a shopping list or a child's homework, slip a placemat or notepad underneath, as a pen pressed straight onto the surface can leave an impression in timber and some finishes. And while outdoor furniture is made to be lived with, it isn't made for climbing. Encourage children not to stand, climb or jump on chairs and tables, which can strain joints and frames and lead to falls.
Finally, keep a simple routine. A quick wipe-down each week, a proper clean at the start and end of each season, and prompt attention to spills will keep everything looking its best.
Made for the long season ahead
Well-made outdoor furniture is designed to be lived with, season after season. A little care in spring means more afternoons spent at the table and fewer spent wondering why the chairs look tired.
Explore our Outdoor collection, including outdoor covers to protect your pieces, or visit our Product Care page for guidance on specific materials. And if you're still planning the space itself, read How to Furnish an Outdoor Room.