Once you know how to clean white plastic deck chairs properly, your outdoor furniture's shine will rival the summer sun. No one wants to invite guests over to lounge on filthy chairs. That's why it's important to find the right cleaning technique to ensure that your visitors can sit pretty on pristine plastic chairs.
Cleaning Instructions
White plastic deck chairs are an affordable option for outdoor furniture. However, since they are relatively inexpensive, you don't want to have to spend an excessive amount of money keeping them in tip-top shape. Fortunately, there are a number of cheap and simple ways you can clean white plastic deck chairs.
Bleach
Use this recipe to restore your white plastic chairs to their original brilliance.
Materials
- 1/4 cup bleach
- Bucket
- Hot water
- Rubber gloves
- Scrub brush
Instructions
- Combine 1/4-cup of regular household bleach in a large bucket with hot water.
- Slide on a pair of rubber gloves and then dip a scrub brush into the hot cleaning solution.
- Scrub the chairs with the solution making sure you wipe away any bird droppings that may have settled in the chair's seams.
- Allow the solution to sit on the chairs for a few minutes, then rinse them down with clean water from a garden hose.
- Dry the chairs with a cloth or place them in the sun to dry.
Vinegar
Whether you are deep-cleaning your white plastic deck chairs or you simply want to spruce up their look before placing them out for the season, plain vinegar can help.
Materials
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- Bucket
- Hot water
- Soft bristle scrub brush
Instructions
- Use a hose to thoroughly wet the chairs.
- Pour 1/4-cup of vinegar into a bucket of hot water.
- Use a soft bristle scrub brush to remove dried on food, sticky soda, dirt, dust and grime.
- Rinse the chairs with fresh water and allow to dry outside.
Dishwashing Soap
Use this method for extra tough stains. Before using this method, check to make sure the dishwashing soap does not contain ammonia. Mixing ammonia with bleach could cause chlorine gas to be produced and released. Chlorine gas is hazardous if inhaled.
Materials
- 3/4 cup bleach
- 2 tablespoons liquid dishwashing soap
- 1 gallon hot water
- Rubber gloves
- Sponge
Instructions
- Combine 3/4-cup standard household bleach and 2 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing soap with a gallon of hot water.
- Put on some rubber gloves and wash the chairs with a sponge dipped in the hot liquid cleaning solution.
- Work on one chair at a time and rinse each with clean water before proceeding on to the next. It's not a good idea to let the bleach solution to sit on plastic chairs for too long, as prolonged exposure may cause discoloration.
Laundry Detergent
Liquid laundry detergent can also be a great stain fighter on dirty chairs.
Materials
- 1 tablespoon liquid laundry detergent
- 1 gallon warm water
- Soft scrub brush or sponge
Instructions
- Combine one tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent with a gallon of warm water.
- Apply the cleaning solution to the dirty plastic chairs and scrub all affected areas with a soft scrub brush or sponge.
- Allow the solution to sit on the chairs for about 15 minutes before spraying them down with a hose and drying them with a clean towel.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
It's not called "magic" for nothing. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can rid just about any item of nasty stains and spills. The affordable cleaning tool works wonders on plastic deck chairs regardless of their size or color.
Materials
- Water
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
Instructions
- Spray the soiled chairs with water from a garden hose.
- Moisten the Magic Eraser with water, then scrub the chair with strong, circular motions. The Magic Eraser lifts grime, dirt, dead insects, bird poop and mold from plastic chairs with a little elbow grease.
- Finish by rinsing the chairs with clean water and allowing them to dry in the sun.
Cleaning Tips
Whenever you use bleach to clean plastic deck chairs it is vital to spot test the solution prior to disinfecting. Bleach can stain colored deck chairs. It can also cause yellowing on white plastic deck chairs if it is left on for more than 10 minutes. Never apply straight bleach on white plastic deck chairs. Also, when cleaning with bleach, be sure to protect your hands with gloves and wear old clothes in case of accidental spills.
Remember that plastic deck chairs are not the highest quality patio furniture on the market. Keep in mind that scrubbing the plastic surface too hard may compromise the integrity of the chair. You are better off using gentle strokes when scrubbing.
