You took the plunge, and now you have a beautiful set of colorful poly furniture to call your own. Part of the reason you bought it was the low maintenance involved to keep it looking good. But we all know that anything people use, or that stays outside, will eventually get dirty and need cleaning.
What’s Not to Worry About?
Although your poly furniture can get dirty, there are a few things you don’t have to worry about. It is made with UV protectors to help keep the color bright. As with all furniture, exposure to the sun, along with time, will cause gradual color change (especially during the first year). If left in the sun consistently, it may be more apparent. However, dirt, pollen, and dust can cause poly furniture to appear dingy or dull. It is surprising how much dust will settle on outdoor surfaces, especially when farmers are in the fields in spring and fall.
Poly furniture is also very stain resistant. Unless you are using very strong chemicals or colored substances on your poly surfaces, you shouldn’t have issues with staining.
The metal parts used in good quality poly furniture are stainless steel. It won’t rust, which will also prevent rust stains from getting on the poly.
Preventing Issues
As dirt and stain resistant as poly furniture is, preventing problems is the best way to shorten the cleaning chores. If you do spill food or drinks on a surface, cleaning it up before it has a chance to dry always makes for easier cleaning later. If you get sticky drinks in the cup holders, rinse them out before it dries. Sugary drinks can harden in the sun and become time consuming to clean. And cleaning up food quickly means the next time you want to use your furniture, it won’t be covered with ants!
If you have cushions or pads on your poly furniture, the best way to keep them in tip top condition is to store them when not in use. Although they are UV resistant, over a long time the colors can change. If you prefer to leave them out, turn them occasionally to keep the exposure more even.
If you have a glider or other furniture with hinges or moving joints, keeping them clean will prevent the metal parts from wearing out or squeaking. A tiny bit of oil can help as well, but wipe up any that drips, as it will hold dirt.
Getting Down to Cleaning
So now it’s time to actually clean. If you’re the power washer type, you can use one on low pressure (not above 1500psi), to get dirt and grime out of the grain and hard to reach joints. Just don’t get the nozzle too close to the surfaces. Even with a power washer, you may need to go over some areas more than once, to wash away dirt after getting it wet and letting it soak.
If you are more hands on, there are a couple more steps. Spraying the furniture to get it wet is the first step. Then, with a soft bristled brush, scrub any crusty dirt or dried food as best you can. Never use solvents, abrasives, steel wool, hard scrubbing pads or wire brushes to clean poly furniture.
Next, using a soft cloth, wash the surfaces with mild dish soap in water. For tougher stains, you can apply a mixture of 1/3 bleach and 2/3 water, let it sit a few minutes, then rinse it off with water. Continue applying soap, brushing, and rinsing until everything is clean.
For your fabric pillows and pads, clean them as soon as you notice a spill. Use mild soap and water, rinse them with water, and let them air dry.
Specialty Products at Pumpkin Patch Market
If you want to use a cleaner that is intended for use on poly furniture, stop by Pumpkin Patch Market and ask us about Poly Brite. It is a cleaner formulated for use on LuxCraft™ and other brands of poly furniture. It removes dirt and grime with minimal effort, is environmentally friendly and contains no harsh chemicals or degreasers. Poly Brite cleaner comes in a 32 oz. spray bottle. For a gentle deep cleaning, simply spray on and wipe off.
As always, if you have any questions about cleaning your poly furniture, call us first! We will be glad to help you with any issues you may have about keeping your new poly furniture in the best shape possible.