How to Clean and Maintain Your Plastic Furniture?

When it comes to the cleaning and maintenance of furniture, plastic is one of the easiest and  most hassle-free materials to deal with.

The inherent features and properties of plastic furniture make it more manageable. For example, plastic furniture is waterproof, which means you don’t have to worry about rotting. Therefore, it is more advantageous than fabric, upholstered, or wood furniture in terms of maintenance. It is also fade-resistant and weather-resistant, thus it has the necessary protection from harsh weather conditions or natural elements of decay.

But its features can only go a long way if the furniture itself is not taken care of properly. In this article, we will discuss the best ways on how to clean and maintain your plastic furniture.

Cleaning Plastic Furniture Using Household Materials

You don’t have to spend a lot to clean and maintain your plastic furniture. Ordinary household items will already do wonders to make your plastic furniture spot-clean and sparkling.

Here are some of the best household materials to use in cleaning and maintaining your indoor and outdoor plastic furniture:

Bleach

If your plastic furniture has stains, debris, dirt, or grease, bleach is your best go-to cleaning material. However, bleach will only work on white plastic furniture. Using it on other colors will result in fading.

Materials:

¼ cup of bleach

Garden hose

Water bucket

Lukewarm water

Scrub brush with soft bristle

Rubber gloves

Procedure:

1. Pour ¼ cup of bleach into a bucket of lukewarm water.
2. Put on your rubber gloves because bleach is not safe when in direct contact with the skin.
3. Dip the scrub brush into the water bucket and softly scrub the plastic furniture. Make sure to go over stains and grime that have settled on your furniture.
4. Let the cleaning solution sit on your furniture for a few minutes, and then rinse it with a garden hose. A power hose is preferable.
5. Let the furniture dry under the sun.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a versatile household item that can be used from cooking and baking to cleaning the kitchen and your furniture. Its cleaning properties are amazing, and it is more gentle than bleach but is equally effective.

Materials:

Baking soda

Soft sponge

Warm water

Soft piece of cloth

Garden hose

Procedure:

1. Spray water on your plastic furniture using a garden hose.
2. Wet the soft sponge and then sprinkle baking soda on it. You can also put baking soda directly on the furniture.
3. Using the sponge, clean the plastic furniture, adding more baking soda in places that are dirtier or with more stains.
4. Let the solution sit for a few minutes, then rinse the furniture using a garden hose or a power hose.
5. Wipe with a clean cloth or let the furniture dry under the sun.

White Vinegar

White vinegar is a good cleaning solution because its acidity can remove and break up grime, dirt, and hardened stains. As a natural cleaning remedy, white vinegar is also easy to find, as you most probably have it already in one of your kitchen cupboards. It works best with white plastic furniture.

Materials:

¼ cup of white vinegar

Lukewarm water

Scrub brush with soft bristles

Water bucket

Procedure:

1. Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar with a bucket of lukewarm water.
2. Dip the scrub brush into the cleaning solution and clean your plastic furniture with it. You can start from areas with the most dirt and stain and then move on to the rest of the furniture.
3. Rinse the plastic furniture using a garden hose.
4. Pat dry with a soft towel or let it out in the sun to dry.

Dishwashing Liquid

Dishwashing liquid works best when you’re just doing regular cleaning and maintenance. While it can remove dirt, it can’t clean deep stains thoroughly. Thus, dishwashing liquid is used when you don’t have to deal with stubborn stains on your plastic furniture.

But if you want a heavy duty cleaning solution that you can make at home, you just have to add bleach to this cleaning solution and you’re good to go. Dishwashing liquid and bleach can remove deep-seated stains and grime, and make your plastic furniture look new.

Caution: If you’re mixing dishwashing liquid and bleach, read the dishwashing liquid’s label first and see if it contains ammonia. Ammonia and bleach is hazardous when put together because they release chlorine gas, which is harmful to your lungs when inhaled. So, make sure that the dishwashing liquid does not contain ammonia.

Materials:

1 gallon of lukewarm water

2 tbsps. dishwashing liquid

¾ cup of household bleach

Soft sponge

Rubber gloves

Garden hose

Procedure:

1. Combine 1 gallon of lukewarm water, 2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid, and ¾ cup of household bleach.
2. Put on your rubber gloves and dip the soft sponge into the cleaning solution.
3. Clean your plastic furniture thoroughly. Don’t let the cleaning solution sit for a long time, especially if you’re cleaning colored furniture, as it may cause fading and discoloration.
4. Rinse the plastic furniture using a garden hose. A power hose is more preferable.
5. Pat dry with a clean cloth or towel. You can also let it dry under the sun.

Laundry Detergent

If you’re looking for an affordable option to cleaning plastic furniture, then any brand of laundry detergent will do the trick. Just like how it removes stains from clothes and fabric, it also cleans plastic furniture like magic.

Materials:

1 gallon lukewarm water

1 tbsp. laundry detergent

Sponge or soft-bristled scrub brush

Procedure:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of laundry detergent with 1 gallon of lukewarm water.
2. Dip the sponge or scrub brush into the cleaning solution and begin cleaning your plastic furniture. Pay more attention to the stains and dirt that has accumulated.
3. Rinse with a garden hose or power hose.
4. Let the furniture dry under the sun or wipe it with a clean, dry cloth.

Making Old Plastic Furniture Look New Again

In terms of lifespan, plastic furniture is considered as one of the most durable types of furniture in the market. It can last for years when taken care of properly.

However, even with regular cleaning and maintenance, it is unavoidable for plastic furniture to get scratches and stains. It will also age, just like any other furniture in your home, office, or restaurant.

When your plastic furniture shows signs of wear and tear, you don’t have to go to a specialty store to have it restored. You can just use store-bought items to transform it in its original state and renew its color and spot-clean appearance.

Here are some of the best ways to make old plastic furniture look new again:

Plastic Rejuvenator

A plastic rejuvenator is a specialized product that is used to restore the shine and brilliance of your plastic furniture. Over time, your plastic chairs, tables, and outdoor furniture can have a chalky appearance because of oxidation. A plastic rejuvenator takes care of that and makes your plastic furniture look new even without having to repaint or recolor it.

Before applying your favorite brand of plastic rejuvenator, make sure to clean it thoroughly using one of the DIY cleaning solutions discussed above. Then, wipe your plastic furniture dry and apply the plastic rejuvenator using a soft cloth or microfiber cloth. Let it dry and see if you have to apply a second coating or if your furniture is already as good as new.

Car Wax

Car wax is another convenient way to restore your plastic furniture to its original beauty. The good thing is you probably already have it at home. It adds shine and luster to plastic furniture that has dulled and faded over time.

You need to clean your plastic furniture first before applying car wax. For white furniture, remove the stains first using bleach or baking soda. Then rinse it thoroughly to remove the residue and allow it to air dry under the sun. Apply a thin coat of car wax and let it sit until the wax becomes hazy in appearance. Then buff the wax away, and voila, your plastic furniture will now look as if you just bought it!

WD-40

You probably haven’t thought of using WD-40 to clean and maintain your plastic furniture. But it can actually be used to make your furniture look new again. It is such a versatile item that can be used for many purposes, so make sure you have a WD-40 at home.

WD-40 is easy to use on plastic furniture. Clean the furniture and apply WD-40 using microfiber cloth. You don’t have to rinse the furniture after. You just have to remove excess WD-40 from the furniture and let it dry for a while.

Spray Paint

Spray paint is a very affordable item that can overhaul your plastic furniture and make it look as good as new. It can be easily bought in stores and a single can will go a long way. You just have to be mindful of the type of spray paint you want to use. You also have to decide whether you are going to use a matte or glossy finish on your plastic furniture.

It might be a little more tedious to use spray paint but the upside is you can change the color of your furniture depending on your taste. Here’s how to use spray paint to renew your old plastic furniture:

1. Clean your furniture thoroughly and let it dry under the sun.
2. Place an old newspaper or cloth under the furniture. Turn the furniture upside down as you have to work on the bottom part first.
3. Hold the spray paint about 8 inches from the furniture surface and spray in even coats. If you need multiple coats to cover every area, check the label regarding the specific period that you have to wait before applying another coat.
4. Let the paint dry. Turn the furniture over and repeat step 3 on the top part of the furniture.

Tips and Tricks in Cleaning and Maintaining Your Plastic Furniture

• When using DIY cleaning solutions for your plastic furniture, make sure to spot test first to avoid harsh chemical reactions on the entire furniture. Apply a small amount to a small area at the bottom part of the furniture and see if the color fades or if it causes yellowing. If it doesn’t, then it’s safe to use on the rest of the furniture.
• Do not apply bleach directly on the surface of the furniture and do not let it sit for more than 10 minutes.
• Always use rubber gloves to protect your hands from harsh chemicals.
• Do not use hard sponges or scrub brushes with tough bristles as they can scratch the surface of the furniture. Always use soft sponges, soft-bristled brushes, or microfiber cloths.