How to Clean Poly Furniture

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Last updated: July 19, 2023


So, you’ve chosen Poly furniture to spruce up your outdoor area. Naturally, you want to keep it looking as good as the day you bought it, which means understanding how to clean Poly furniture correctly.

If your Poly pieces are brand new or have been part of your home for a while, they will need a refresh. Understanding the proper cleaning methods is critical.

Let’s dive into the essentials of Poly furniture care.

Table of Contents

How to Clean Poly Furniture

If it’s any consolation, all Poly furniture pieces are simple to clean and maintain. Before you get started, you need to prepare a few supplies. These include mild dish soap, a dry vacuum cleaner, a washcloth, a soft-bristle brush, a 5-gallon plastic bucket, and optional liquid bleach. Read more on the pros and cons of Poly furniture.

1Use the dry vacuum quickly to remove loose debris and dirt from your Poly furniture..
2Mix dish soap and warm water in the bucket.
3An optional step is pouring bleach to clean and sanitize the furniture. I learned the recommended ratio is 2 parts water to 1 part bleach. If you’re planning to use bleach, don’t forget to wear your chemical-resistant gloves.
4Apply the soapy water to the surface with a washcloth and allow it to sit for several minutes.
5Use a soft-bristle brush to loosen any debris or dirt when scrubbing the surfaces.
6Use clean water to rinse your Poly furniture and let it air dry.
Woman doing garden terrace plastic polywood furniture cleaning with high pressure washer

High-Pressure Cleaning

But if this simple cleaning method isn’t enough, I recommend a high-pressure deep clean. A high-pressure power washing method can thoroughly and deeply clean your Poly furniture.

For this process, you only need a pressure washer with a rating of not over 1,500 psi fitted with a 40-degree fan tip. Here are the steps to follow for high-pressure cleaning.

1Use even and slow sweeps to spray the different parts of your furniture. Make sure that the nozzle is at a distance of 8 inches from the furniture surface.
2Refer to the cleaning and sanitizing steps above if there are still leftover stubborn stains afterward.

See to it that the pressure washer wand is always moving because spraying continuously on a single spot may lead to gouges or other damage. Don’t forget to wear your gloves, goggles, ear protection, a facemask, and boots while using a pressure washer.

yellow green orange plastic adirondack outdoor polywood chair in backyard
Weatherproof Outdoor Adirondack Poly Chairs in Yellow, Green, and Orange

Cleaning the Stainless Steel Hardware

All Poly furniture hardware, including bolts, nuts, screws, and other screws, is made with stainless steel with cosmetic coating and finish. It’s not enough to clean the Poly lumber surface because these hardware pieces also require cleaning.

You will need a towel, a soft-bristle brush, a 5-gallon plastic bucket, and mild dish soap for these parts. Just follow these steps to clean your Poly furniture’s hardware:

1Mix dish soap and warm water in the bucket.
2Use a soft-bristle brush to apply this soapy mixture to all the hardware.
3Rinse the hardware correctly and use a dry towel to wipe away all excess water.

Aside from cleaning, there are other tips to prevent corrosion and keep all the hardware in great shape and condition:

1Visit your local hardware store and look for a color-appropriate appliance touchup paint you can apply on the hardware.
2Dab the hardware with a clear car wax coat.
3Rinse the hardware using fresh water if it comes into close contact with salt water, and towel it dry afterward.

How to Get Stains Removed from White Poly Furniture

Removing the stains from my white Poly furniture requires little effort. You can follow the steps that I used to clean mine:

1Fill the bucket with a solution of 2/3 water and 1/3 bleach.
2Remove all the cushions on your furniture and put them in a place where they will be safe and out of the way.
3Scrub the areas with stain using the rough portion of a sponge. Apply the cleaning solution again as needed.
4Avoid bleach stains by rinsing the furniture with a hose.

One important tip to remember when cleaning your white Poly furniture. Always clean it during dry and warm days. You can also use a high-pressure power washer, although the brand recommends that power washers never exceed 1,500 psi.

You can also use the water and soap solution to clean the cushions.

How Do You Whiten Discolored White Poly Furniture

Use a water and bleach solution if your white Poly furniture is already discolored with stains. Fill the bucket with 2/3 water and 1/3 bleach, then scrub the areas with stains using the rough part of the sponge.

If the stains don’t come out, repeat the steps with more concentrated water and bleach solution. Rinse off the Poly with a hose to ensure that no bleach stains form afterward.

What is the Best Cleaner for White Poly Furniture

They make white Poly furniture from highly durable plastic, making it straightforward to keep clean. All you have to do is wipe it over with water and soap. However, the only exception here is if algae already started growing after leaving it in humid conditions.

In such cases, you can remove the algae using a power washer. You can also use a cleaning solution mainly for outdoor algae. This can help kill off algae growth and restore your Poly furniture to its sparkling bright white color again.

two young boys, a blonde and brunette, sitting on red polywood chairs

Can You Use White Vinegar to Clean Poly Furniture?

You can use white vinegar to clean Poly furniture. Mix warm water and white vinegar to prepare a cleaning solution. Apply it to the furniture surface with a sponge or soft cloth and allow it to sit for several minutes before you use a damp cloth to wipe it away.

Can You Use Magic Eraser on Poly Furniture

You can use a magic eraser for more stubborn marks on your Poly furniture.

Can You Power Wash Poly Furniture

Yes, you can power wash your Poly furniture if you don’t go over 1,500 psi to get rid of dust, dirt, and other airborne particulates. Make sure you also don’t directly spray near the furniture. Always maintain a distance of 8 inches.

Poly versus Trex Outdoor Furniture

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