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Outdoor Furniture: Avoid Sitting On Organic Growth

By Wet & Forget
Outdoor Patio Furniture with Canopy

Now that summer is upon us, it is time to clean up your outdoor furniture! Whether it’s a patio umbrella or a dining set, rid them of moss, mold, mildew, and algae with Wet & Forget.

Keep reading to learn more about cleaning up your outdoor furniture and fabrics.

How do I maintain my outdoor furniture? 

With outdoor furniture being outside almost 24/7, it makes them vulnerable to trapping moisture. The trapped moisture will attract organic growth because of the environment it provides for them to flourish.

Whether you have plastic, wicker, wood, or metals mixed with colorful fabrics, use Wet & Forget to remove green and black growth.

Here’s what you should know about organic growth on each of these popular outdoor surfaces.

Plastic Chairs on Patio

Plastic Furniture

Plastic furniture offers a wide array of options for buyers to choose from. Not only is it the most affordable option, but it is also the easiest to maintain and store away. However, if not properly cared for, mold and algae can start cultivating.

Prolong the life of your plastic furniture by storing it in a dry area that gets plenty of air circulation. Make sure to clean and wipe down any furniture before putting it in storage as well.

Poolside Wooden Outdoor Chairs

Wicker and Teak Wood Furniture

Wicker and teak furniture offer organic growth a great destination to call home. With little crevices, it can be hard to spot them early. However, with proper storage during the off-season and cleaning techniques, you can keep them looking like they are brand new.

With wood furniture, clean regularly to reduce the buildup of dirt and grime.

Try to limit the use of teak oil on your furniture so you do not encourage mildew growth. Moisture can get trapped when you apply the oil so let it air dry before applying.

Store indoors when they are not in use, and cover with a waterproof cover.

For teak furniture, they can be left uncovered and outside year-round. If you do decide to cover them, make sure to use a breathable cover.

Metal Outdoor Furniture

Wrought Iron and Metal Furniture

Wrought iron and metal furniture is a great choice because of its durability and low maintenance requirements. Your encounter with organic growth on metal furniture will probably be with algae.

To prevent algae from growing, make sure to wipe down the surface- especially the legs or armrests. Not only will this prevent rust, but it will prevent organic growth from occurring.

If rusting occurs, use steel wool to remove the oxidation before repainting. To store your metal furniture, put it in a dry environment where moisture levels are low to minimize rusting and organic growth.

What about outdoor fabrics?

Remember that mold, mildew, and algae can grow on outdoor fabrics too! If that is the case, here are some tips and tricks for preventing or removing organic growth from fabrics.

Awnings and patio umbrellas make for a popular spot for organic growth to hang out because of the shade and moisture trapped underneath. Mold and mildew are the usual suspects when it comes to awnings.

Check them frequently to prevent a buildup of organic growth.

Seat cushions or decorative pillows are usually the places you will notice mold or mildew immediately. To prevent them from attracting mold or mildew, stow them away if it is going to rain.

For off-season storage, clean them of debris or organic growths before putting them in storage bags or bins. 

Outdoor rugs are also problematic as they can be frequently forgotten about. Make sure you take proper care of your outdoor rugs to keep them looking clean.

When storing for the off-season, make sure you clean off debris or organic growth and store the rug in a breathable material. This will help minimize the amount of moisture trapped in the rug cover.

Additional tips include:
  • Checking the fabric care labels of your outdoor fabrics first.
  • Cleaning up any spills as soon as they occur. Remember to dab and not rub!
  • Removing food or drink stains as soon as they are spotted. Leaving stains can create a breeding ground for mildew to grow.

Apply Wet & Forget Ready-to-Use on Outdoor Furniture!

So, what exactly should I use to clean my outdoor surfaces, furniture, and fabrics?

Ready to see the organic growth disappear from your outdoor surfaces with just the rain and the wind? Consider using Wet & Forget Ready-To-Use to tackle organic growth on outdoor fabrics and furniture over time.

Here’s how to apply it:

  1. Verify that the surface is dry.
  2. Fully saturate the surface where mold or mildew can be spotted.
  3. Let it dry for 4 to 5 hours.
  4. Rinse gently with water the next day before use.

Wet & Forget Ready-To-Use works best to clean outdoor furniture frames, cushions, and pillows. Plus, the easy-to-use trigger sprayer and the portable bottle make cleaning a breeze!

Since it is a bleach-free product, it will work gently over time to remove growth and staining from your surfaces. For lighter growth, results may take a week or two, and for darker growth, results can take up to a few months.

Clean your outdoor carpet with Wet & Forget

 For larger applications, like outdoor rugs, consider using the Wet & Forget Outdoor Concentrate to remove moss, mold, mildew, and algae over time.

Here’s how to apply it:

  1. Verify that the surface is dry.
  2. Mix 1-part concentrate and 5-parts water (1 part = 20 ounces) in a garden sprayer.
  3. Spray down the surface where organic growth can be seen.
  4. Let dry for 4 to 5 hours.
  5. If no rainfall is expected in your region, rinse and let it dry before use.

Just like Wet & Forget Ready-To-Use, the Outdoor Concentrate gently removes organic growth and staining over time. Expect to see results in a couple of weeks and up to a few months, depending on the severity of staining on the outdoor surface.

That’s it?

That’s it! Just spray the product onto the affected area and let Mother Nature do the rest.

Enjoy your outdoor spaces and let Wet & Forget do the tough cleaning for you!