After 5 months of Toronto winter — snow, ice, salt spray, freeze-thaw cycles, and covered storage — your patio furniture needs more than a quick wipe. Whether it's teak, aluminum, wicker, or resin, each material has specific cleaning requirements. Get it wrong and you damage expensive furniture. Get it right and it looks brand new for another season.
Cleaning by Material
| Material | Method | Pressure Wash? | Key Warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Dish soap + water, soft cloth. Rinse thoroughly. | ✅ Low (500-800 PSI) | Avoid bleach — etches aluminum finish. Oxidation spots: use white vinegar. |
| Teak | Teak cleaner or mild soap + soft bristle brush. Rinse with garden hose. | ❌ Never | Pressure washing raises grain and strips natural oils. Grey patina is normal — only sand if you want golden colour restored. |
| Resin wicker | Dish soap + water, soft brush into weave crevices. Rinse well. | ⚠️ Under 500 PSI only | Check for UV brittleness — resin wicker cracks after 5-8 Toronto winters. Replace, don't clean, if brittle. |
| Natural wicker | Damp cloth only. Dry immediately. Apply lemon oil annually. | ❌ Never | Water swells natural fibres → splits → unravels. Keep under cover or indoors during winter. |
| Wrought iron | Soap + water. Wire brush for rust spots. Prime + paint exposed metal immediately. | ✅ Low (500-800 PSI) | Any paint chip = rust within weeks in Toronto humidity. Touch up every spring. |
| Plastic/resin | Baking soda paste for stains. Soap + water for general. Rinse well. | ✅ Low-medium (800-1,200 PSI) | UV yellowing is permanent — no cleaner fixes it. Prevention: UV protectant spray annually. |
| Cushion fabric | Mild detergent + warm water. Scrub gently. Rinse completely. Air dry FULLY. | ❌ Never | Foam cores absorb water — must dry completely (24-48 hrs) or mould grows inside within 3 days. Stand cushions on edge to drain. |
Spring Revival Sequence
- Uncover and inspect: Remove covers. Check for mice nesting (they love covered furniture), mould growth, rust, and UV damage.
- Dry brush: Remove loose debris, spider webs, leaf fragments, and any rodent droppings with a dry brush before wetting anything.
- Wash frames: Material-appropriate cleaning per the table above. Work section by section.
- Clean cushions separately: Remove from frames. Clean per fabric type. Sunlight is a natural disinfectant — dry cushions in direct sun when possible.
- Check hardware: Tighten all bolts and screws. Freeze-thaw cycles loosen fasteners over winter. Replace any corroded hardware.
- Protect: Apply material-appropriate protectant — teak oil for teak, UV spray for plastic, touch-up paint for iron, fabric protectant for cushions.
Mould under covers: Furniture covers trap moisture — especially if you covered furniture while wet in the fall. Mould grows under covers all winter. When uncovering in spring, wear gloves and a mask for the first wipe-down. Mould spores are airborne and can trigger allergic reactions. A diluted bleach solution (1:10) kills mould on hard surfaces. For cushion mould, a borax + water solution is fabric-safe and kills mould without bleaching colours.
Free add-on with pressure washing: When MANTLE is on your property for driveway, deck, or patio pressure washing, we clean your patio furniture as a free add-on — the equipment is already set up, and aluminum/resin furniture takes minutes to clean at low pressure. Just mention your patio furniture when booking. It's one of those "while we're here" extras that makes customers feel like they got incredible value.
Glass tabletop care: Tempered glass patio tables develop mineral spots from rain and sprinkler water. These spots etch into glass over time (Toronto's 120-140 TDS water). ClearCoat™ purified water removes mineral buildup without chemicals. For severe mineral etching, a cerium oxide polishing compound can restore clarity — but prevention (regular cleaning) is far easier than cure.
Patio Furniture Cleaning — Free Add-On
Included free with any deck or driveway pressure washing booking. Mention your furniture when you call.
Get Free Estimate →Or call (416) 206-3274