Plastic is among the simplest and least complicated materials to work with when it comes to cleaning and maintaining furniture.
Plastic furniture is easier to manage because of its unique characteristics and qualities. For instance, plastic material is waterproof, so you won’t need to be concerned about it rotting. As a result, it is more favorable in terms of upkeep than upholstered, fabric, or wood furniture. Additionally, it is fade and weather-resistant, providing the required defense against abrasive weather or corrosive elements of nature.
But if the furniture is not kept clean, its good features won’t last long. Keep on reading because the best techniques to clean and preserve your plastic furniture will be covered in this article.
Utilizing Household Products to Clean Plastic Furniture
Your plastic furniture may be cleaned and maintained on a budget. Your plastic furniture can sparkle and be spotless thanks to common home goods.
The following are some of the best home items to use for cleaning and preserving your plastic furniture, both indoors and outdoors:
Household Item #1: Bleach
Bleach is the best cleaning solution to use when removing stains, debris, grime, or grease from plastic furniture. Bleach, however, only cleans white plastic furniture. When applied to other colors, it will fade.
Procedure:
- In a bucket of warm water, add 1/4 cup of bleach.
- Put on protective rubber gloves since bleach should not be put to the skin directly.
- Scrub the plastic furniture gently while dipping the scrub brush into the water bucket. Check for stains and filth that have accumulated on your furniture.
- After allowing the cleaning solution to sit on the furniture for a short while, rinse it using a garden hose. It is best to use a power hose.
- Allow the furniture to air dry in the sun.
Household Item #2: White Vinegar
Because of its ability to dissolve and remove filth, dirt, and stubborn stains, white vinegar is an effective cleaning agent. White vinegar is an inexpensive and accessible natural cleaning solution. Chances are, you already have some in one of your kitchen cabinets. White plastic furniture suits it the best.
Procedure:
- A bucket of warm water must be combined with 1/4 cup of white vinegar.
- Use the scrub brush dipped in the cleaning solution to clean the plastic furniture. You can work your way around the furniture by starting with the spots that have the most scuffs and stains.
- Use a yard hose to rinse the plastic furniture.
- Use a soft towel to pat it dry or leave it outdoors in the sun.
Household Item #3: Baking Soda
A multipurpose home staple, baking soda may be used for everything from preparing food to cleaning your kitchen and furniture. It has incredible cleaning abilities and is milder than bleach while still being just as powerful.
Procedure:
- Use a yard hose to spray water on dirty plastic furniture.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the soft sponge after dipping it in the water. Additionally, you could sprinkle baking soda straight on the furniture.
- Clean your plastic furniture with the sponge, adding extra baking soda to areas that are dirtier or have more stains.
- After letting the solution lie for a while, rinse the furniture with a power or garden hose.
- To clean, use a clean towel, or allow the furniture to air dry outside.
Household Item #4: Dishwashing Liquid
The ideal time to use dishwashing liquid is when you’re simply doing routine maintenance and cleaning. While it can get rid of dirt, it can’t get rid of deep stains completely. When you don’t have to deal with difficult stains on plastic furniture, dishwashing liquid can be utilized.
However, you can add a small amount of bleach to this cleaning mixture if you want to create a powerful cleaning solution at home. Deep-seated stains and grime can be removed using dishwashing liquid and bleach, leaving your plastic furniture looking brand new.
Procedure:
- Mix a gallon of warm water with 2 tablespoons of dishwashing soap and 1/4 cup of bleach.
- Wearing rubber gloves, dip the small sponge into the cleaning mixture.
- Your plastic furniture must be thoroughly cleaned. If you’re cleaning colored furniture in particular, don’t let the cleaning solution rest for too long as this could result in fading and discoloration.
- Use a yard hose to rinse the plastic furniture. It would be better to use a power hose.
- Dry with a fresh towel or cloth. You may even let the sun dry it.
Household Item #5: Laundry Detergent
Any type of laundry detergent will work well to clean plastic furniture. You can use that as an affordable solution. It cleans plastic furniture like magic, just as how it gets rid of stains from clothes and fabric.
Procedure:
- Combine 1 gallon of warm water with a tablespoon of laundry detergent.
- When washing your plastic furniture, dip your sponge or scrub brush in the cleaning solution. Pay special attention to the stains and accumulated grime.
- Use a power or garden hose to rinse.
- Either let the furniture air dry outside or use a clean towel to pat it dry.
How to Make Your Plastic Furniture Look Brand New
Plastic furniture is known as one of the market’s most long-lasting furniture types in terms of longevity. When properly cared for, it can last for years.
But even with routine upkeep and cleaning, scratches and stains on plastic furniture are inevitable. Like any other piece of furniture in your house, business, or restaurant, it will eventually degrade.
You don’t need to take your plastic furniture to a specialized shop to get it repaired when it starts to show signs of wear and tear. You can simply use items from the store to restore them to their original state, renew their color, and give them a spotless appearance.
Here are a few of the greatest techniques for making worn-out plastic furniture look brand new:
Spray Paint
Your plastic furniture may be given a complete makeover and given a brand-new appearance for a very low cost by using spray paint. One can go a long way, and it is readily available in stores. Just be careful with the kind of spray paint you choose to use. Additionally, you must choose between applying a matte or glossy finish to your plastic furniture.
Using spray paint may be a bit more laborious, but the advantage is that you may alter the color of the furniture to suit your preferences. Here’s how to update your outdated plastic furniture using spray paint:
- Thoroughly clean your furniture, then allow it to air dry in the sun.
- Put a piece of cloth or an old newspaper under the furniture. The bottom of the furniture needs to be worked on first, so flip it over.
- Spray the furniture in even coats while holding the can of spray paint around 8 inches away from the surface. Check the label for the precise time period that you are required to wait before putting in another coat if you need to apply more than one coat to cover every area.
- Allow the paint to dry.
Plastic Rejuvenator
To restore the brilliance and beauty of your plastic furniture, apply a plastic rejuvenator, a specialized solution. Your plastic outdoor furniture, chairs, and tables may develop a chalky appearance over time as a result of oxidation. This would be taken care of by a plastic rejuvenator, which restores the new appearance of your plastic furniture without the need for painting or coloring.
- Make sure to properly clean the plastic using one of the above-discussed DIY cleaning methods before applying your preferred type of plastic rejuvenator.
- Next, use a soft towel or microfiber cloth to clean the plastic furniture dry before using the plastic rejuvenator.
- Once it has dried, check to see if you need to recoat the furniture or if it is now in like-new condition.
Car Wax
Another practical method for bringing back the beauty of your plastic furniture is to use car wax. The good news is that it’s probably already in your home. Plastic furniture which has been dull and faded over time gains gloss and luster from it.
- Before putting car wax on your plastic furniture, you must first clean it. Use bleach or baking soda to initially get the stains off of the white furniture.
- After a thorough rinsing to get rid of the residue, let it dry naturally in the sun.
- Put on a light layer of car wax and leave it on until it appears hazy.
- Buff the car wax away, and the plastic furniture will appear to have just been purchased!
Additional Cleaning Tips
- Always conduct a spot test before using any DIY cleaning solutions on your plastic furniture to prevent severe chemical reactions that can harm the entire piece. Apply a little amount to a spot at the bottom of the furniture to test whether it produces yellowing or color fading. If it doesn’t, it is safe to use on the rest of the furniture without risk.
- Avoid spraying bleach directly on furniture surfaces, and don’t leave it on for more than ten minutes.
- To safeguard your hands from harmful chemicals, use rubber gloves at all times.
- Avoid using scrub brushes or sponges with rough bristles since they may harm the surface of your furniture. Use only gentle sponges, soft-bristled brushes, and microfiber towels.
