Fall Patio Furniture Cleaning:
How to Clean and Store Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture has had a season.

It has hosted dinners, drinks, sunscreen, pollen, bird visits, barbecue smoke, muddy feet and at least one unidentified sticky substance nobody in the family remembers creating.

Now fall is here. Before you cover everything, shove it into the garage, or decide the patio furniture can simply “winter outside,” give it a little attention.

Cleaning outdoor furniture before storage isn't just about making it look better.

Dirt, food residue, moisture, mildew, and debris can sit on furniture for months.

Metal can corrode. Wood can weather. Fabric can develop mildew. Cushions stored damp can emerge in spring smelling like an abandoned basement.

The goal is simple:

Clean it. Dry it. Protect it. Store it appropriately.

The exact method depends on what your furniture is made of.

And that's where we'll start.

1. Check What the Furniture Is Made Of

Before reaching for a cleaner, identify the material. Patio furniture may be made from:

Aluminum
Steel
Wrought iron
Teak
Other finished or unfinished woods
Resin or plastic
Natural wicker
Synthetic resin wicker
Outdoor fabric
Mesh
Glass
Stone

A cleaning method that's perfectly reasonable for one surface can damage another. Also check the manufacturer's care instructions if you still have them or can find them.

Especially before using:

Bleach
Abrasive cleaners
Pressure washers
Strong degreasers
Furniture oils
Sealers
Wax
Vinegar or acidic cleaners

Outdoor furniture is durable. That does not mean indestructible.

2. Start With a Dry Cleanup

Don't immediately hose everything down.

First remove:

Leaves
Twigs
Cobwebs
Loose dirt
Pollen
Crumbs
Pet hair
Insect debris

Use a soft brush, broom, vacuum attachment, or dry cloth, depending on the material.

Remove cushions and pillows. Check underneath furniture too. This is where spiders have been conducting private business meetings all summer. Give them notice.

For the actual scrubbing: The OXO Good Grips All Purpose Scrub Brush has a comfortable grip and sturdy bristles for cleaning durable outdoor furniture surfaces without making the job harder than it needs to be.

Always check your furniture manufacturer’s care instructions first, especially on painted, coated, or delicate finishes.

3. Clean Plastic and Resin Furniture

Plastic and resin patio furniture is usually among the easiest outdoor furniture to clean. Start with mild soap and water. Use a soft cloth or nonabrasive sponge to loosen dirt and grime.

Pay attention to:

Seat backs
Armrests
Crevices
Undersides
Textured surfaces

Rinse and dry thoroughly. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that can scratch the surface.

Use strong cleaners with caution, especially on colored or finished plastic. If you're trying a new cleaner, test it on a small inconspicuous area first.

White plastic furniture may develop stains that ordinary soap won't remove, but don't immediately reach for the strongest chemical in the garage.

Start gentle. You can always become more aggressive. It's considerably harder to un-bleach a chair.

4. Clean Aluminum Patio Furniture

Aluminum doesn't rust like iron or steel, but its finish can still get dirty, dull, or damaged.

For routine cleaning, mild soap and water are often enough. Use a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse appropriately and dry.

Inspect painted or powder-coated aluminum for:

Chips
Scratches
Flaking
Oxidation
Loose hardware

Avoid harsh abrasives that could damage the finish.

If the manufacturer recommends a protective product for your particular furniture, fall can be a sensible time to apply it.

But don't automatically wax, polish, or coat aluminum furniture simply because you own something in a bottle labeled “protective.” Furniture care should not be improvisational chemistry.

5. Clean Steel and Wrought-Iron Furniture

With steel and iron furniture, pay special attention to rust. Wash the furniture according to its finish and manufacturer recommendations.

Then inspect:

Joints
Welds
Legs
Undersides
Scratched areas
Places where paint has chipped

If you find rust, address it before storage using the appropriate method for the furniture and finish.

Leaving rust untouched all winter is less of a storage plan and more of a long-term rust-development program.

After cleaning, make sure metal furniture is completely dry. If it will remain outdoors, use an appropriate protective cover and follow manufacturer recommendations for winter exposure.

6. Clean Teak Furniture Carefully

Teak is popular outdoors because it's naturally durable, but its appearance changes with exposure. Untreated teak commonly develops a silvery-gray patina over time.

That does not necessarily mean the wood is dirty or damaged. If you like the weathered look, you don't have to restore teak to its original golden color every fall.

For routine cleaning, use methods recommended for teak and your particular furniture.

Avoid attacking the wood with harsh chemicals or aggressive pressure washing unless the manufacturer specifically approves the method. Too much force can damage the wood surface.

Before applying teak oil or another finish, make sure the product is recommended for your furniture. Teak doesn't need an annual spa treatment simply because October arrived.

7. Clean Other Wood Patio Furniture

Wood furniture varies enormously. Cedar, eucalyptus, acacia, and painted or sealed woods may all have different maintenance requirements.

Begin with the manufacturer's instructions if available.

Generally, use gentle cleaning methods appropriate for the finish.

Inspect the wood for:

Cracks
Splinters
Peeling finish
Loose joints
Water damage
Mold or mildew
Areas requiring refinishing

Don't leave wood furniture wet before storage.

If the furniture needs sealing, staining or refinishing, determine whether fall weather in your area provides suitable conditions for the product you're using.

“Dry to the touch” and “ready to spend four months under a cover” are not necessarily the same thing.

8. Know What Kind of Wicker You Have

Not all wicker is the same. This matters.

Natural wicker is made from plant materials and generally needs more protection from prolonged moisture and severe weather.

Synthetic resin wicker is designed for outdoor use and is typically more weather-resistant.

For synthetic wicker, a soft brush can help loosen dirt from the weave before you wash it with an appropriate mild cleaner. Rinse as recommended and allow it to dry thoroughly.

Natural wicker may require a gentler approach and more protected storage. Before cleaning, identify which one you own.

If the chair came from an outdoor furniture collection and appears to be woven plastic, it's probably not your grandmother's wicker chair. Still, check.

9. Clean Outdoor Cushions

Cushions deserve special attention before storage. Start by checking the care label. Some cushion covers are removable and washable. Some are not.

Some cushion inserts can tolerate substantial water. Some absolutely should not be soaked.

First, vacuum or brush away loose debris. Then clean according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Pay particular attention to:

Food stains
Sunscreen
Body oils
Bird droppings
Mildew
Drink spills

Treat stains before long-term storage. A stain that sits undisturbed for several months is unlikely to emerge in spring, having reconsidered its behavior.

10. Let Cushions Dry Completely

This step deserves its own section because it's easy to underestimate.

Do not store damp outdoor cushions.

Even slightly damp cushions stored in a dark, poorly ventilated area can develop:

Musty odors
Mildew
Mold
Staining

After cleaning, give cushions enough time and airflow to dry completely—including the interior filling, not merely the outer fabric.

Stand cushions on edge if appropriate so air can circulate around them. Turn them during drying. Don't put them into storage bags while you're still thinking:

They're probably dry enough. “Probably” has produced many interesting smells.

11. Deal With Mold and Mildew Carefully

If you find mold or mildew on cushions or furniture, don't assume one cleaning solution works for every material. Check the care instructions.

Use a product and method appropriate for the affected surface. Wear appropriate protection and work in a well-ventilated outdoor area when using cleaning products.

And remember one important cleaning rule:

Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar, or other household cleaners.

Mixing cleaning products can create dangerous fumes.

If mildew repeatedly returns, look beyond the stain itself. Persistent moisture may be the real problem. Cleaning mildew and then sealing the damp item into storage is essentially reserving it a room for the winter.

12. Clean the Patio Umbrella

Patio umbrellas are remarkably easy to forget. Until you open one in spring. Brush away loose dirt and debris.

Check the manufacturer's care instructions for the canopy fabric. Spot-clean or wash as recommended. Inspect the umbrella for:

Mildew
Tears
Fraying
Damaged ribs
Loose hardware
Problems with the opening mechanism

Let the canopy dry completely before closing and storing it. If the umbrella is removable, protected storage can help prevent unnecessary weather exposure.

Don't wrap up a damp umbrella. You already know where this story goes.

13. Clean Glass Tabletops

Remove loose grit before wiping the glass. That reduces the chance of scratching. Use a glass cleaner or cleaning method appropriate for the tabletop. Clean both sides if accessible.

Pay attention to edges and the area where the glass meets the frame, where dirt tends to accumulate.

Inspect the glass for:

Chips
Cracks
Loose supports
Damaged bumpers

If a glass tabletop is cracked or unstable, don't casually put it back into service next spring. Tempered glass is strong. It is not immortal.

14. Tighten Loose Hardware

Once everything is clean, inspect the furniture itself.

Check for:

Loose bolts
Missing screws
Wobbly legs
Damaged glides
Loose arms
Cracked components
Broken welds
Frayed straps

Tighten hardware where appropriate. Replace missing parts when possible. If something needs repair, note it now. Better yet, fix it now.

Otherwise spring-you will drag the chair onto the patio, sit down, and rediscover exactly why fall-you stopped using it.

15. Clean Under the Furniture, Too

Before putting everything away, clean the patio or deck area where the furniture has been sitting. Move furniture safely and sweep away:

Leaves
Dirt
Cobwebs
Food debris
Plant material

Clean the surface appropriately if needed. Watch for debris trapped against the house or beneath furniture.

This also gives you a chance to inspect the patio, deck, or balcony for maintenance problems before winter.

If you move a planter and discover an entirely new ecosystem underneath it, congratulations. You have expanded the property.

Should You Pressure-Wash Patio Furniture?

Usually, don't make the pressure washer your first choice. Pressure washing can damage some:

Wood surfaces
Finishes
Paint
Natural wicker
Fabric
Furniture joints

If the furniture manufacturer specifically permits pressure washing, follow its recommendations for pressure, distance, and technique.

Otherwise, start with the gentlest effective cleaning method. Pressure washers are satisfying. That does not make them appropriate for everything.

Neither is a flamethrower, and that would certainly remove the mildew.

Should You Cover Patio Furniture for Winter?

It depends on the furniture, cover, climate, and storage options. Outdoor covers can protect furniture from:

Rain
Snow
Dirt
Leaves
UV exposure
Bird droppings

But a cover that traps moisture can create its own problems. Choose covers designed for outdoor furniture and the conditions they'll face.

Look for a proper fit and good ventilation. Clean and dry your furniture completely before you cover it. Check covered furniture periodically during the off-season, especially after severe weather.

A cover is protection. It is not a magical force field.

Should You Bring Patio Furniture Inside?

If you have protected indoor storage, some furniture will benefit from it. This is particularly true for:

Outdoor cushions
Removable fabric items
Natural wicker
Delicate furniture
Umbrellas
Furniture not designed for severe winter exposure

A garage, shed, or other protected area may work depending on the item and conditions.

But don't fill your garage indiscriminately. Store the things that genuinely need protection first.

If the car has to spend winter outside because six weatherproof patio chairs are enjoying heated accommodations, you may need to review your storage hierarchy.

How to Store Outdoor Cushions

A woman with clear storage bins in a garage.

Once cushions are completely clean and dry, store them in a clean, dry location. Protect them from:

Moisture
Dirt
Pests
Rodents

Use breathable or manufacturer-recommended storage solutions where appropriate. Avoid compressing cushions unnecessarily for long periods. Label storage containers if the contents won't be obvious.

There is no prize in April for correctly guessing which giant opaque bin contains the patio cushions.

What If You Live in a Mild Climate?

You may not need to put patio furniture away at all. In places with mild winters, fall patio care may simply mean:

Deep-cleaning furniture
Washing cushions
Checking for damage
Adjusting covers
Moving vulnerable items to shelter
Cleaning the patio
Preparing for seasonal rain or wind

Even if your furniture stays outside year-round, fall is still a useful maintenance checkpoint. “Winter storage” in Southern California may mean moving a cushion twelve feet. It still counts.

Don't Forget the Grill

The grill deserves its own cleaning and maintenance routine, but while you're working on the patio, inspect the surrounding area.

Remove grease and food debris from surrounding surfaces as appropriate. Clean the grill according to the manufacturer's instructions. Check covers and equipment.

If you're storing propane equipment, follow all applicable manufacturer and fire-safety guidance regarding propane cylinders and storage.

Do not casually move fuel containers indoors because you're “putting everything away.” Some things belong outside for very good reasons.

The One-Hour Fall Patio Reset

Don't want to surrender Saturday to outdoor furniture? You don't have to.

First 10 minutes

Remove cushions, then brush or vacuum loose debris from the furniture.

Next 20 minutes

Wash the furniture, working by material.

Next 10 minutes

Clean the umbrella and tabletops.

Next 10 minutes

Sweep and clean beneath the furniture.

Final 10 minutes

Inspect hardware, arrange furniture to dry, and decide what to cover, store, or leave outside. Then stop. Cushions and furniture can continue drying without supervision. They know what to do.

Fall Patio Furniture Cleaning Checklist

Before colder or wetter weather arrives:

Check furniture care instructions
Remove cushions
Brush or vacuum loose dirt
Clean plastic and resin furniture
Clean aluminum furniture
Inspect steel and iron for rust
Clean wood appropriately
Identify natural vs. synthetic wicker
Clean wicker appropriately
Vacuum and clean cushions
Let cushions dry completely
Clean the patio umbrella
Clean glass tabletops
Tighten loose hardware
Check for damage
Sweep beneath furniture
Clean the patio or deck as needed
Decide what needs indoor storage
Cover outdoor furniture appropriately
Store clean, dry cushions
Check everything periodically through the off-season

The Bottom Line

The most important part of fall patio furniture care isn't complicated:

Don't put dirty, wet furniture away for months and expect good things to happen.

Clean according to the material. Use gentle methods first. Treat stains. Deal with rust and damage before storage.

Dry cushions completely. Protect furniture appropriately for your climate. Then call it done.

When spring arrives, instead of uncovering six months of grime, mildew, and one extremely comfortable spider colony, you'll have furniture that's much closer to ready.

Which is exactly what fall maintenance is supposed to accomplish: Making next season easier.