How to Clean Aluminum Patio Furniture?

Outdoor aluminum furniture has been a big hit for patio furniture for over a century. It isn’t just aesthetically pleasing, but is also durable and does not require a high grade of upkeep like other materials used for patio furniture. This serves as a big advantage for homeowners and a big selling point for manufacturers. Who doesn’t want furniture that does not give anybody a hard time and seeks constant cleaning? 

Aluminum is a low-maintenance material, a metal that does not rust and does not require constant care. One does not have to worry about aluminum furniture being exposed to other elements and reacting to the same. This is what puts aluminum furniture at the top of the list for outdoor patio furniture. Your patio furniture is going to be exposed to elements such as heat, humidity, moisture, water, etc., and you need a material that is strong enough to withstand Nature’s different moods.  

This does not mean that aluminum furniture requires little to no cleaning. Taking care of your furniture should not be neglected in any case. Depending on the weather of your area, aluminum will only require a quick clean every few months. If your location faces extreme weather conditions, you may have to clean your outdoor aluminum furniture every other month. 

Since you do not have to break your back over constantly maintaining your furniture, you can enjoy years of great furniture with aluminum as the material. All you need to do is look out for a few signs that could need attention and make sure you maintain the cycle of cleaning it thoroughly. No matter how strong aluminum is, any material can give away after a certain period. Even though outdoor furniture is specifically designed to withstand change and weather conditions, if you do not pay attention to it and let exposure be a pain point, your aluminum furniture will become weathered. 

In this article, we will learn more about how to clean aluminum patio furniture. 

Steps To Clean Aluminum Patio Furniture:

• Remove Dirt And Grime

When you’re trying to figure out how to clean aluminum patio furniture, grime and dirt should be given extra attention. You must not, in any case, let dirt and grime build up on your furniture. This will only make it more difficult when you try to clean it. Grime and dirt can be stubborn and may require much more effort in cleaning. If you’ve let your furniture be a victim of dirt and grime build-up for a considerable amount of time, the chances of the surface corroding are much high. Thus, it can lead to serious consequences if it has been left like that for a long time. All you need to do is mild soap and warm water, rinse your furniture completely, and just wipe it down and towel dry it. Using any harsh materials, abrasive solutions, cleansers, or bleach can damage the furniture. 

• Calcium Build-Up

Aluminum is known to be immune to rust, but it is not immune to calcium build-up. Calcium build-up is a common factor that bugs aluminum furniture users, and you must keep an eye out for any signs of calcium build-up. If you notice a fair amount of calcium build-up, do not use any abrasive material to try and clean it. Instead, use a concoction of 1 part distilled vinegar and 9 parts of water. Calcium build-up looks shabby and dirty and can build up very quickly, causing harm to your furniture set. Calcium carbonate can settle on your furniture easily as a result of hard water, and it is mostly chalky white in color. Make sure to apply the solution to one part of the frame to do a patch test and check for any discoloration. 

• Prevent Oxidation

Keeping rusting aside, oxidation can affect your aluminum furniture a great deal. To ensure that your furniture does not suffer from oxidation, try to treat and clean any specks as soon as you come across them. If you neglect specks and let them oxidise further, they can be very difficult to remove even with the help of metal polishes. Make sure you always check the products carefully and follow all guidelines mentioned by the manufacturers. 

• Use Wax Or Oil

If your furniture features a shiny, non-textured finish, it is highly recommended to use a fine automotive wax for up-keeping purposes. This will also aid in reducing dirt and debris build-upthat ends up accumulating on the frame finish! If your furniture has a textured surface or finish, you can keep applying baby oil to help prevent any dirt build-up and with restoring beautiful luster. 

• Looking Out For Scratches And Chips

Keeping an eye out for scratches and chips is one of the best ways to clean aluminum or rather prevent any kind of furniture-related problems. Keep inspecting your aluminum furniture for any chips and scratches. If you do spot some, especially with the bare metal exposed, you can just contact your furniture manufacturer and ask them how you can save your furniture. If the size of the area is not too big, you can just use some cover-uppaint and leave this problem behind. At Shop4Patio, if you face any issues with your aluminum furniture, we are more than happy to help! 

What Can You Use To Clean Aluminum Furniture? 

Depending on your situation, you can use things like: 

• Mild soap 
• Warm water 
• Sponges 
• Rags 
• Oil 
• Wax 

Note: Using abrasive materials is not recommended as it can ruin the finish and color of your furniture.