Aluminum Patio Furniture Care

A small chair and table set of aluminum furniture.
  • 1 hours
  • Beginner
  • 0-50
What You'll Need
Baby oil or car wax
Liquid, non-abrasive cleaner
Mild detergent
Water
Garden hose
Soft brush
Soft cloths
What You'll Need
Baby oil or car wax
Liquid, non-abrasive cleaner
Mild detergent
Water
Garden hose
Soft brush
Soft cloths

There is not a lot of work involved in aluminum patio furniture care. This type of outdoor furnishing, particularly cast aluminum, is specifically developed for its ease of care and flexibility. Nonetheless, it is necessary to maintain the furniture to extend its life as far as possible and to preserve any finish on the metal.

Different Types

Aluminum furniture is lighter than chairs and tables made from other materials, and it is not as susceptible to rust or mold. There are three types of furniture crafted from this material: cast aluminum (made from pour molten metal into a mold), tubular aluminum (where the frame is made from extruded tubing), and wrought aluminum (similar to wrought iron, only using aluminum instead).

All three types are sprayed with a powder-coated finish, which is then heated to a high temperature for an excellent protective coating.

Cleaning Aluminum Furniture

Dirt and grime are common culprits if there is any kind of corrosion on the surface of your chairs and table, so frequent cleaning to prevent buildup is important. Remove any decorative cushions or furniture accessories before cleaning since they will require a separate process to remove any stains or mildew growth. Use a garden hose with a spray or “rain” setting to remove the largest pieces of dirt and debris from the metal. Avoid using a pressure washer or a strong setting on a garden hose nozzle since a too strong and focused stream of water could damage the furniture’s finish.

After spraying the furniture off, fill a bucket with mild dish detergent and water. Using soft cloths and a soft brush, go over each piece of furniture and remove any remaining sediment. Pay special attention to the underside of the furniture and joints.

Remove Any Scuffs

Aluminum patio furniture does pick up scuff from other metal furniture, shoes, lawnmowers, and other tools and yard toys. While these scuffs can often be removed easily, it’s necessary to take care to preserve any existing finish before doing so. Find a liquid, non-abrasive cleaner like Soft Scrub or something similar, and with a soft cloth and some water, gently rub the cleanser onto any scuffs, repeating until the marks are gone. Most scuffs will come out easily using this process, although some may require repeated attempts.

Rinse Thoroughly

You don’t want to leave any dirt or cleanser residue on the furniture, so use your garden hose again to rinse the pieces thoroughly. As you rinse, you will also want to check nooks, crannies, and joints again to be sure that nothing has collected there.

Protection

In order to keep the shine or gloss that came from the factory, use a rub of baby oil or car wax on cast aluminum furniture. For tubular aluminum or wrought aluminum, use touch up paint to cover any scratches or scrapes. This may be available from a manufacturer, but if you can’t seem to find any, a clear coat spray is also an option. Don’t allow scratches to go untreated or it could compromise the finish.