Although you don’t need to do much in taking care of aluminum patio furniture. However, you need to know some special techniques to clean this kind of furniture. So, today we are going to show you some tricks on how to clean aluminum patio furniture.
“Furniture makes your home complete”
You will indeed need a lot of things to design your dream home. However, without the right kind of furniture, you can’t give your home a finished look. It is the only thing that will give your home the look you want.
Nowadays, Aluminum Patio Furniture is in the trend. There are many reasons why people are opting to go for this type of furniture instead of the old wooden ones. This kind of furniture is durable, versatile and will need very little care from you.
The old wooden furniture will eat up a lot of time in cleaning. Also, it’s difficult to maintain them. However, if you are using furniture made of aluminum, then you don’t need to worry about it.
That is why we are going to show you the tricks on cleaning aluminum patio furniture so that you can apply them. And, your furniture will look like it’s freshly bought from the store all the time.
Before going to that, there are a few types of aluminum patio furniture. You need to know about them so that you will exactly know what you are dealing with.
Types Of aluminum patio furniture
Before knowing the cleaning process, we are going to give you a short lesson on the types of aluminum patio furniture.
Currently, there are three types of aluminum patio furniture.
- Wrought Aluminum
- Cast Aluminum
- Tubular Aluminum.
All these are very popular among buyers. Because they are easy to care for, the functionalities are easy and less work is needed for their maintenance.
Wrought aluminum
Usually, this kind of furniture is handmade. You will get a classic vibe from this furniture. That means you will see traditional designs that were seen back in the early 1800s. They have a reputation for outlasting their owners.
This furniture is heavy and durable with flowing designs. If you have a taste for classic movies then this furniture will definitely suit your style.
Cast aluminum
Cast aluminum patio furniture is made by a careful process that includes pouring molten aluminum into specially designed molds. Typically, all the pieces of furniture (arms, frames, legs, etc) are made separately. Then they are combined to make the furniture whole.
It is more durable than Wrought aluminum because it is not given any shape or bent while it’s cooling off. Also, it lacks any kind of imperfections that gives an edge over Wrought aluminum.
However, because it is cast metal it is heavier than the other two types of aluminum furniture.
It’s inexpensive, lasts a long time, and is also easy to care for.
Tubular aluminum
Tubular aluminum techniques in furniture are probably the most common as it is the lightest and easiest to shape and form. This furniture is the lighter among the three. It is made with tubes of aluminum welded together to form seating and table options.
They are durable, comfortable, and light in weight. They will remain extremely sturdy. If you visit any hotels or resorts, you will find this type of furniture.
3 Different ways to clean aluminum patio furniture
You must indeed spend a lot of time cleaning and maintaining the aluminum type of furniture. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need caring. If you completely ignore them thinking that they don’t need it, they will eventually go bad.
Although you don’t need to do much, you do need to do some specific things to clean the aluminum furniture.
Because patio furniture is exposed to a lot of stuff like,
- Rain
- Sun
- Heat
- Cold
- Dust
- Animals
- Pests
After a while, it takes a toll on them. So, they need care from time to time.
You know cast aluminum can resist water right? When aluminum is exposed to the atmosphere oxide forms on the surface, which creates a microscopic layer of protection against water. It is one of the main reasons for this kind of furniture for being so popular.
They can withstand outdoor elements and exposure to rain, sleet, and snow without forming rust. So, you are allowed to leave this type of furniture outside during storms or perhaps entire winters without fear of weather damage.
Cleaning with filtered water under low pressure
There is one type of furniture with powder coating. Powder coating adds durability, creates a unique style with awesome colors. Powder coating layers protect against impact damage such as dings, dents, and scratches.
Therefore, if you are using powder-coated aluminum furniture, then clean it using filtered water under low pressure. Remember, you can not use chlorine or any other cleaning solution with aggressive chemical properties. Instead, you can use a mild detergent.
Cleaning with warm water
If there is no powder coating then it will be exposed to water and rust. It will disrupt the color combination and will cause the furniture to feel rough, and pitted. So, to clean this furniture, it’s better to fix a schedule as to when to clean.
Therefore, when it is time to clean or if you notice any kind of discoloring, try to wash it with warm water mixed with a little soap. You should avoid strong substances like vinegar and soda water. Instead, you should use lemon juice.
Polish the furniture
However, if you see any imperfections in aluminum then you have to apply a different technique. You need to polish the aluminum with a pad of steel wool. You can use soap to make it easier. Try to remove all the bits of wool when cleaning. You should avoid commercial cleaners. They damage aluminum.
Tips on how to clean aluminum patio furniture
Along with cleaning the furniture, you need to remember some essential tips so that you can properly maintain the furniture.
Avoid alkaline products
Avoid all types of alkaline products. They will cause almost immediate discoloration, and not in a charming way.
Use water + vinegar
If you mix water and vinegar 50/50, then you will get a nice shine and it will also protect from the rust
Don’t leave any cleaner to dry
Never leave any cleaner to dry on your furniture. Wash it thoroughly. It can cause severe discoloration and also can attract debris
Clean after certain periods
It is a good practice to clean your furniture after a period of bad weather or after using it for some time. It will remove dirt, spider webs, bird poop, and so on.
Use non-abrasive cleaner
Remove scuffs with a non-abrasive cleaner formulated for powder-coated products. Scuff marks are irritating. It can make your newly bought furniture look old.
It’s a simple application and scrubs sort of situation, but take your time with it. Too much aggressive scrubbing can damage the finish on your furniture.
If you can remember these basic tips, then maintaining any kind of aluminum patio furniture will be easy.
FAQs
How to remove oxidation?
If it’s light oxidation then you can easily remove it by scrubbing it with a mixer of 50/50 vinegar and water. Or you can use automatic rubbing or polishing compound. Otherwise, you can use dishwashing detergent and water to remove oxidation.
How do you weatherproof metal patio furniture?
The best way to waterproof metal patio furniture is to apply paste wax. Because it has water-resistant attributes. It also helps you maintain the design of your furniture. But first, clean your furniture before applying.
How can I make my patio furniture look new again?
If you want your patio furniture to look new again, you can use Spray paint. It’s inexpensive, and it is easy to use. You can do it yourself.
How do you remove heavy oxidation from aluminum?
When you are trying to remove heavy oxidation, you should use a cloth soaked in vinegar and then clean the oxidation.
Use a soft-bristled brush. Wipe the vinegar as soon as you are done. Don’t use abrasive materials like steel wool or sandpaper to scrub the surface of the aluminum.
Can I leave the patio furniture outside in winter?
Yes! Why not? The patio furniture is designed to use outdoors. But be careful in the fall and winter seasons. If you don’t take proper precautions then it might damage your furniture. Don’t forget to keep your furniture clean in the winter season.
How do you refresh aluminum patio furniture?
You can use a rag with a little soapy water to wash/ rinse your aluminum patio furniture. After washing you can dry off with a thin layer of car wax. Use a dry cloth to remove the car wax.
Can I use baking soda to clean aluminum?
No. A quick scrub with baking soda may clean your pans and pots, but you should never use it on your aluminum furniture. It can easily cause your furniture to discolor.
Does vinegar hurt aluminum?
Yes. If you use vinegar for a long time without rinsing it can easily cause further damage and rust to your furniture.
How do you clean old aluminum?
Mixing 1 part white vinegar with 1 part water will create an effective solution. You can use that solution to clean old aluminum furniture.
Can I use bleach to clean the aluminum?
Yes, you can use bleach to clean aluminum. Because it will not cause immediate damage or create any bubbles on the aluminum surface foil. However, it can change the color of the metal.
Summing up
“Prevention is better than cure”
If you want to take care of things then you have to maintain them the right way. Furniture is a crucial part of any household.
Especially aluminum furniture provides a classy vibe to your entire house. So, if you don’t know how to clean aluminum patio furniture perfectly then it will dampen your furniture and its designs.
We hope our short tutorial will help you find the best way to clean aluminum patio furniture. Don’t forget to leave your opinion in the comment section below.