Tips for Cleaning Your Outdoor Louvered Pergola & Patio Décor

This article was originally published on August 8, 2017 and updated on October 10, 2023 Does seeing your grimy outdoor furnishings have you looking for a different place to sit? Your outdoor space needs a little TLC now and then. Clean furnishings make time spent on your deck or patio more enjoyable, giving you an inviting place to relax. The comfortable, breezy weather of fall offers the perfect setting to clean your outdoor louvered pergola and patio décor, making the experience less of a chore. To make the experience easier, we offer these tips.

Clean Outdoor Furnishings Seasonally

Experts recommend seasonal cleaning every 3-4 months to prevent dirt, mildew, and insects at bay and prolong the lifespan of furnishings.

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The Right Patio Cleaning Products Make All the Difference

Choosing the proper cleaner makes maintenance easier and safeguards your furnishings against damage. Which outdoor living cleaning products are best?

Wood

Unlike metal louvered pergolas, wooden pergola structures, as well as hardwood decking, chairs, and tables, must be lightly sanded and resealed annually. Properly reapplying protective finishes guards against weather and pest-related damage, keeping furnishings looking their best and ensuring lasting use.

Wicker or painted wood

This unique and popular outdoor furniture style is best cleaned with a mild oil soap from your local hardware store.

Plastic

When it’s time to clean plastic patio furnishings beneath your motorized pergola, avoid the temptation to reach for the closest multipurpose cleaner. These cleaners are often too harsh and may discolor and degrade plastics. Instead, opt for simple dishwashing detergent and a sponge. For stubborn dirt and mildew, substitute a small amount of automatic dishwasher cleaner or baking soda. Rinse well to avoid chalky residues.

Glass

Begin cleaning glass with a solution of water, dishwashing detergent, and a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse well, then wipe down with vinegar or glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth for a streak-free shine.

Cushions

DIY Network pros suggest a solution of 1 tsp dishwashing detergent, 1 tbsp of borax, and a quart of warm water for cleaning cushions. Apply it with a sponge, let it rest for 15 minutes, then rinse it off with a high-force hose nozzle. When you’re done, apply a solution of 50/50 vinegar and water with a spray bottle to prevent mold and mildew growth.

Unknown materials

Impulse purchases of ‘cute’ patio furnishings of unknown origin are common. When you can’t find a materials description or cleaning instructions, start with a mild dish soap and water solution – just be sure to test an inconspicuous area before cleaning completely.

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Looking for Outdoor Living Furnishings that Require Less Maintenance?

StruXure aluminum pergolas have you covered, protecting you and your furnishings against wear and tear at the hands of Colorado’s brutal climate. Adjust louvers up to 170 degrees for on-demand protection against sun, rain, and snow, reducing patio maintenance needs. Best of all, their powder-coated aluminum design reduces maintenance. Our louvered aluminum pergolas never require refinishing – just the occasional spray down with a hose. They’re built to last a lifetime without rotting, corroding, or housing insects. American-made CE and UL-certified motors withstand the harshest outdoor conditions and never need maintenance, ensuring trouble-free use without adding any more maintenance tasks to your to-do list.

Spend More Time Enjoying the Outdoors

Make outdoor living a breeze. Reduce patio cleaning and maintenance chores with the protection of an outdoor louvered pergola from StruXure Denver. Contact us at 303-500-6669 for a FREE design consultation for a motorized pergola today.

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