Cleaning Patio Furniture: How BKF can tidy up your outdoor seating

May 1, 2024

Cleaning patio furniture can be quite a chore. Rust on metal chairs and plastic tables covered in grime. That’s not even counting what birds and animals leave behind! The good news is that BKF can make your patio furniture shine just in time for your first cookout!

So, did you leave your metal patio furniture out all winter? I’ve done it, and guess what? Every little scratch and nick rusted. I was ready to set it out with the trash and order new furniture. I didn’t, and neither should you. After all,  BKF can bring it back to life.

Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser can make your metal patio furniture look as good as new. Mix a little powder with a bit of water—just enough to create a paste—and leave it on the surface for about a minute – three minutes tops. Next, rub the cleanser on the surface with a sponge, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a soft cloth.

Cleaning Patio Furniture: A Step-by-Step Guide

Remove Loose Dirt and Debris

Use a rag, broom, vacuum, or leaf blower to remove any loose dirt, leaves, and debris from your furniture.

Use the Right Product 

For example, you can use MORE Spray + Foam or Soft Cleanser on your plastic furniture. I prefer the original powdered Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser on metal, but More Spray + Foam is perfect for daily cleaning – and for getting that perfect shine.

If your glass-top table is constantly covered in water spots, BKF Soft Cleanser and a soft cloth will wipe them away in seconds. Here’s how you do it:

 Apply the Product

• Apply the BKF product to your furniture using a sponge
• Let it sit for 2 minutes
• Rub gently to avoid damaging the surface
• Wipe with a soft, wet cloth
• Rinse and repeat as needed
• Use a soft cloth or paper towel to dry

Maintaining Your Patio Furniture

If you have the space, store your furniture indoors during winter. This will help protect it from the elements and extend its lifespan. If you don’t have room to store it, cover the patio furniture. Cover your furniture whenever it’s not in use, as it protects it from dust, dirt, and UV rays. Also, regularly clean your patio furniture to prevent dirt and grime from building up, making it more difficult to clean later.

Pro Tip: Use BKF MORE Spray + Foam for quick daily clean-up

What About Wood Patio Furniture?

Bar Keepers Friend products are NOT recommended for wood. However, I’ve always been a rule breaker. I have an old roll-up wooden camping table that I leave out year-round. DISCLAIMER: If you do plan to break the rules and try cleaning wooden furniture with BKF anyway, please test a small, inconspicuous spot. 

“I tried BKF Powder on an old wooden roll-up portable camping table. When I bought it at a yard sale, I was told to store it indoors when not using it. I didn’t listen, and it went from a shiny brown to a moldy gray. BKF is not recommended for wood, but I had nothing to lose, so I tried it on half the table. As you can see from the photo, it made a difference. I think one more round and then some varnish will bring it back.” — Using Bar Keepers Friend Outdoors

Dirty patio furniture can ruin any outdoor occasion, whether it’s a pool party, cookout, or just visiting with family and friends. So, don’t ask Aunt Betty to sit in a dirty chair; make that chair shine with BKF!

Do you have any before-and-after photos of cleaning your patio furniture with BKF products? If so, we’d love to see them! Send them to our Before and After Submission Page!

About the Author

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek and on weekends (after COVID-19) he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook: A crash course in effective management.