The care instructions that outdoor furniture manufacturers publish agree on a starting point: mild soap, lukewarm water, a soft brush or cloth, a thorough rinse and air drying. They differ on bleach, pressure washing and waxing, and on how often a coastal or pool property should clean. Following the maker’s own instructions matters for more than appearance, because the commercial warranties compared in the warranty guide tie coverage to required care. This page summarizes the instructions by material, checked October 3, 2026, and attributes each to the company that published it.
Quick reference
| Material | Routine cleaning | Periodic care | Avoid | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder-coated aluminum | 1/4 cup mild liquid soap per gallon of lukewarm water, soft brush, rinse | Automotive paste wax on gloss finishes; Brown Jordan says 2 to 3 times a year | Abrasive cleaners | Tropitone, Brown Jordan |
| Powder-coated steel | Hose or power wash with mild soap | Inspect coating and fasteners; touch up scratches | Harsh solvents | Victor Stanley |
| Stainless steel | Soap solution with a soft cloth, rubbing with the grain; rinse and dry | Non-abrasive stainless cleaner for stains | Bleach, chloride cleaners, abrasive pads | Tropitone |
| HDPE lumber | Dish soap and warm water, soft brush, rinse | Pressure washer up to 1,500 psi with a 40-degree tip | Abrasive scrubbers such as eraser pads | POLYWOOD |
| Teak | Mild soap and water, scrubbing with the grain, rinse, air dry | Teak cleaner and sealer to keep the original tone | POLYWOOD (wood in general), Brown Jordan | |
| Resin wicker | Mild soap and water, soft brush, rinse, dry | Commercial outdoor furniture cleaner for mildew | Harsh chemicals, abrasive tools | Brown Jordan, POLYWOOD |
| Vinyl straps | Soap solution, frequent cleaning, lift and clean under strap crossings | Monthly water and ammonia mix, 3 to 1, in areas with acid rain, fog or smog | Abrasive cleaners, sunscreen contact | Tropitone |
| Cushion fabric | 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of water no warmer than 100°F, sponge, rinse, air dry on edge | Add bleach for mildew only where the fabric maker allows it | Dryers, hot water, harsh detergents | Tropitone, Brown Jordan |
Aluminum
Tropitone says its extruded aluminum frames are welded all-aluminum construction, and its care page calls for periodic cleaning with a solution of 1/4 cup of mild liquid soap in a gallon of lukewarm water, a sponge or soft-bristle brush, and a thorough rinse. For gloss finishes it recommends periodic waxing with a high-grade automotive paste wax. Brown Jordan describes powder-coated aluminum as lightweight and corrosion-resistant and recommends a coat of clear automotive wax 2 to 3 times a year, more often in coastal or humid climates.
Both makers single out salt and pool chemicals. Tropitone says salt in seaside use and chlorides at indoor pools build up on the finish through repeated condensation and evaporation and can lead to finish failure. Its commercial warranty recommends cleaning weekly or every two weeks in those settings and waxing quarterly, and it says neglect that causes blistering or oxidation voids the warranty. Woodard’s warranty lists powder blistering and oxidation from salt air and salt water among its exclusions.
Tropitone also says to tighten all hardware regularly, including the headrest bolts on chaise lounges, because loose hardware can lead to bolt failure and breakage, and to take a piece out of service until missing hardware is replaced.
Steel and iron
Victor Stanley, whose warranty says its products are designed and constructed for commercial applications, says its powder coating can be cleaned by power washing or hosing with mild soap, and that harsh solvents can break the coating down. Where the coating is scratched or scuffed, it says to sand off debris or rust with steel wool, apply a rust-inhibiting primer, then apply matching touch-up paint. Its warranty makes the purchaser responsible for inspecting for loose fasteners, vandalism, wear, coating damage and weathering.
Woodard says that because iron is made from steel, small amounts of rust seepage may appear at joints and crevices outdoors, and that this is normal and not covered.
For stainless steel, Tropitone says to wash with the soap solution using a soft cloth, rub with the grain, rinse and dry fully. It warns against bleach, hydrochloric acid or chloride cleaners and abrasive pads, and says salt and acidic spills such as coffee, wine and citrus juice can discolor stainless steel if not cleaned up promptly.
HDPE lumber
POLYWOOD, which makes furniture from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) lumber, says to vacuum off loose dirt, wash with dish soap and warm water, scrub with a soft-bristle brush, rinse and air dry. To sanitize, it adds bleach at 1 part to 2 parts water and advises chemical-resistant gloves. For a deeper clean it allows a pressure washer rated no higher than 1,500 psi with a 40-degree fan tip, held about 8 inches from the surface and kept moving to avoid gouges. It says to avoid abrasive scrubbers on the lumber.
POLYWOOD says its hardware is marine-grade 18-8 stainless steel, and for salt-air locations it suggests touch-up paint or clear car wax on the hardware and a fresh-water rinse after any contact with salt water.
Teak and other woods
Brown Jordan says teak weathers to a silver-gray patina and that this is expected. To keep or restore the original warm tone, it recommends a teak cleaner and sealer. It says new teak can show oil spots that look like water marks, that oil may transfer to cushions, and that in humid climates the grain may rise and hairline cracks may appear as the wood acclimates, which it calls normal.
POLYWOOD’s general instructions for wood furniture are to vacuum off debris, scrub with mild soap and water along the grain, rinse and let it dry completely. Victor Stanley’s warranty says routine checking, graying, fading and wear of wood slats are not preventable and are not grounds for replacement.
Resin wicker
Brown Jordan says to clean woven polyethylene fiber with mild soap and water and a soft cloth or brush, rinse and dry, and to use a commercial outdoor furniture cleaner for mildew or heavy stains while avoiding harsh chemicals and abrasive tools. POLYWOOD adds a toothbrush for tight spots and says to remove cushions first.
Straps and slings
Tropitone says vinyl straps, lacing and its EZ Span segments must be cleaned frequently with the soap solution, lifting and cleaning beneath strap intersections. In areas with high levels of acid rain, fog or smog, it says to clean vinyl monthly with three parts water to one part ammonia. Brown Jordan recommends a vinyl protectant against salt air, UV and mildew, and rubbing alcohol for stubborn stains. Both say sunscreen and suntan products can stain straps and slings permanently, and Brown Jordan says such stains are not covered by its warranty.
Cushions and fabric
Tropitone’s fabric instructions use the same 1/4 cup of soap per gallon, with water no warmer than 100°F, a sponge or soft brush, a rinse and air drying. It says standing a cushion on its side helps it drain, and lists what not to do: no bleach unless the fabric is listed as bleach-cleanable, no soaking or standing water, no dryer, no harsh detergents or stiff brushes, no heat or hot water. For mildew it adds 1 cup of bleach to the solution where the fabric allows it. Brown Jordan says not to dry clean, machine wash or tumble dry its cushions or use steam above 100°F.
Storage and freezing
Brown Jordan says to clean all furniture before storing it, store cushions in a cool, dry place, bring stone, Dekton and glass tops indoors in freezing climates, and inspect frames, joints and hardware at the start of each season. Its warranty says to store furniture upright so water drains, because water that freezes inside a frame can cause structural damage the warranty does not cover. Tropitone’s commercial warranty excludes bursting or cracking of tubing from water and freezing temperatures.