Remove Mildew from Patio Furniture

Whether you use eco friendly products, commercial cleaners or homemade solutions, there are ways to remove mildew from patio furniture.

See more uses for cleaning with vinegar.

Have you ever had ugly mildew on your wooden patio furniture or outdoor chair cushions? Chances are if you live in a climate that is hot, humid or muggy you have encountered outdoor furniture mildew problems in the past. Although the furniture looks uninviting, in many cases it is possible to remove the mildew and make your outside furniture look as beautiful as new.

The mildew is actually a living organism. It is a form of mold, a type of fungi, that grows on many different kinds of materials. In some instances as the mildew grows and spreads it eats fabric fibers causing them to become weakened. If the mildew is not removed it can cause discoloration and permanent damage.

There are many successful methods you can use to remove mildew growth from outdoor furniture.

If you are one of the growing number of people that are concerned about using products that are eco friendly, there are many types of cleaners that remove mildew and are earth friendly.

• Eco Moldzyme works to remove mildew and mold from outdoor furniture, decks, showers and any other place fungi grows. Eco Moldzyme is non-toxic and earth friendly. It does not contain any bleach, ammonia or other chemicals and is safe to use around children and pets.
• Back to Nature, a professional strength mildew remover is good for outdoor surfaces and furniture made of wood. The product is ammonia and bleach free.

Many commercial products are made specifically for removing mildew from patio furniture cushions and wood surfaces.

• Reckitt Benckiser Professional Lysol Cleaner with Bleach is a tough commercial product made to clean mildew from all surfaces including wood. Use this product to clean mildew from outdoor wood patio furniture.
• Acid and chlorine free, Mildew Remover by Boatlife is safe to use on fabrics.

Many people are turning to homemade solutions for home cleaning needs, including cleaning outdoor furniture. Clean mildew from wooden surfaces and chair cushions quickly with easy to make solutions you make yourself in minutes.

Many of the mildew removal methods include using bleach or ammonia as they are both excellent mildew removers. When using homemade cleaning solutions that use bleach or ammonia make certain the area is well ventilated and always wear rubber gloves. However, the two should never be used together. Combining these two powerful cleaners can result in the release of a dangerous chlorine gas, a volatile mixture of nitrogen trichloride which is a toxic chemical or a possible explosion.

An ammonia solution will effectively remove mildew form wooden patio furniture that is unfinished or panted. Mix together:

• 1 gallon of water
• 1 cup of ammonia
• ½ cup of white vinegar
• 1/4 cup baking soda

Wash the furniture, rinse thoroughly with water and wipe dry.

Ammonia can also be used to clean wicker furniture. Simply add 2 tablespoons of ammonia to 1 gallon of water and wash. Rinse with clear water and let the furniture air dry. Use a small brush, or a toothbrush, to get into small areas.

Use bleach to wash removable outdoor furniture cushions that are made from fabric. Pretreat mildew stains with water and detergent rubbed into the area, then wash in very hot water with ½ cup bleach added.

To remove mildew from painted furniture mix ½ cup bleach into 4 cups water and wash the mildewed area. Allow the solution to set on the stained area for 15-20 minutes, rinse well and dry.

To clean outside upholstery make a solution of ½ cup borax and 2 cups of hot water. Saturate a sponge with the solution and rub the mildewed area. Allow the solution to set for several hours and rinse the area.

Use white vinegar full strength to remove mildew from painted and unpainted patio furniture. Use a spray bottle to apply the vinegar and wipe the area dry with a clean cloth. Dilute the white vinegar with water to remove areas of light mildew stains.

Removing mildew from patio furniture will help keep your furniture looking like new.

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