Care & Cleaning Tips
Outdoor benches look their best, and stay in top condition, when you follow a few simple cleaning and maintenance tips.
General Cleaning Tips
Most outdoor benches can be maintained easily with a little soap and water, followed by thorough rinsing to ensure no sticky soap residue remains behind. After cleaning and rinsing, dry the outdoor bench well with some soft, absorbent cloths. One important tip to remember is that keeping the bench dry is the best way to protect the finish. If your outdoor bench has some stubborn water spotting, whether from improper drying or rain, you might try a solvent or specialized cleaner to remove the spots. Be very sure that any product you use is safe for the bench’s finish!
Tips for Metal Benches
Outdoor benches made with aluminum, wrought iron or steel come clean with soapy water. Most metal outdoor benches are coated to be rust resistant. However, if you doubt the bench’s rust resistance—or if you want the metal to really shine—paste wax works well against corrosion.
Tips for Plastic Benches
If your outdoor bench is made from recycled plastic, clean it with a little soapy water, rinse it and wipe dry. Recycled plastic is designed to never need harsh cleaning, painting, staining or sanding. However, if it collects some hard water stains, you can rub them away with a solvent that is safe for plastics. Check the label on the solvent to be sure of its safety.
Tips for Wooden Benches
Wooden outdoor benches are generally coated with an outdoor varnish that won’t be harmed by soap and water cleaning. Oil-based soap cleaners specially designed for wood are great for cleaning your wooden outdoor bench. It’s a good tip to cover any wooden bench in the cold, wet winter months; though cedar and teak are especially resilient and may not require winter shelter. After a few years of regular use, plan to refinish any wooden outdoor bench to protect it from rotting, warping and splitting. If the wood is painted, peeling is your signal that it is time to repaint.
A little bit of regular cleaning and, in some cases, occasional refinishing, will keep your outdoor bench looking new. As you become familiar with a few simple cleaning tips and follow them, your bench will last for many years to come. |
