When we launched Lazy Susan back in 2007, we didn’t see plastic furniture as much of a competitor to our maintenance-free garden furniture. That was down to the fact it looked a little cheap and cheerful. That opinion has changed in recent years. Better quality resins and modern designs have seen much better quality furniture hit UK stores.
OK, you could still argue that those who like the classical styling of our collection are not going to be too interested in the chunky modern resin pieces that are popular at the moment. Horses for courses. That said, cast aluminium and high-end modern PE plastics do have several things in common, even though the look and feel of each material are very different.
Like our collection, the high-quality plastics are designed to withstand the erratic climate here in the UK where we can see rain, sun exposure, and big temperature swings, all in one day sometimes. It is also resistant to rot, rust, and decay, making it a durable option for long-term outdoor use.
Plastic furniture is also relatively low maintenance compared to other materials such as wood. Like our powder-coated aluminium, it can be easily cleaned with warm soapy water and it does not require any staining, sealing, or painting. Not as robust as cast aluminium it is lightweight (lighter in fact), so it is also easy to pick up and move around, so convenient for rearranging your furniture or storing during the winter months.
Whilst both materials are designed to withstand the UK climate, the weather-resistance of plastics varies greatly depending on factors such as the quality of the plastic, the specific type of plastic used, and the climate in which it is placed. The higher-quality plastics, such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), are more durable and resistant to weathering than lower-quality plastics. Furniture made from these materials will still fade in time but it is less likely to crack or become brittle.
Exposure to sunlight can cause all plastics to fade and degrade, but manufacturers are adding UV-resistant or UV protectants into the mix to help minimise fading and extend the lifespan. In the UK, where we see a mixed bag weatherwise too, this can accelerate the deterioration of plastic furniture. If this has happened to you, then we have a few great methods you can try to restore and rejuvenate weathered plastic patio furniture and breathe new life into your outdoor space:
1. Give your plastic furniture a good clean
The first thing you should try if your plastic patio furniture is looking a little weather-beaten is to give it a good clean to remove dirt, grime, and any mould or mildew that has built up. You’d be surprised at what a difference this can make. Just use washing up liquid in warm water and a sponge and give the furniture a good wash down. Rinse with the garden hose and leave to dry in the sun.
2. Make a bicarbonate of soda paste
If washing up liquid isn’t enough to remove any stains or discolouration, then try mixing up a paste with bicarbonate of soda and a few splashes of water. You see this one on a lot of these home cleaning shows, and all you do is apply the paste onto the surface of the furniture, let it sit and fizz for a bit, and then scrub gently with a sponge or soft-bristle brush. Baking soda is abrasive enough to remove stains from plastic but gentle enough that it won’t damage the furniture. This solution works particularly well on seat tops where water can pool and sit!
3. Mix up a white vinegar solution in a spray bottle
Alternatively, as the above will require a few packets to do a large furniture set, mix up equal parts white vinegar and water in an old spray bottle. Spray the solution directly onto the furniture, again, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wash the furniture down with a sponge or brush and some warm soapy water. Vinegar is effective at removing stains and killing mould and mildew because the low acid content breaks down the structure of outdoor dirt, oils, films, stains and bacteria.
4. Use a bleach-based bathroom cleaner
If you have no joy with baking soda or a vinegar solution, then you can try a bleach-based bathroom cleaner. If you go down this route, then we would advise caution, test it first, and do it somewhere safe and away from any lawns, etc. However, for stubborn stains and mould or mildew, a bleach cleaning solution is a great option. You can even make your own and mix one part bleach with three parts warm water in a bucket with a sponge or spray bottle and apply it to the furniture. Let it sit for a few minutes before washing it with soapy water, rinsing thoroughly with a garden hose, and letting the furniture air dry in the sun.
5. Use a specialist plastic patio furniture cleaner
There are many specialist plastic garden furniture cleaning solutions on the market such as HG Plastic Furniture Restorer, Everbuild, and Garden Genie. We have never used them, so can’t comment on their effectiveness, but they all get good reviews on sites such as Amazon, so we would suggest you try using them to rejuvenate your weathered furniture. They are specifically designed for cleaning and restoring plastic furniture, just be sure to do a little research to see which is best for your specific furniture and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when using them.
7. Jet wash it with a pressure washer
This is something we looked at just recently in our Can you use a pressure washer to clean your garden furniture? article and, in that, we said you can use them to clean our aluminium but use caution. The same applies to weathered plastics, be careful, test first on the underside of a chair, and start on a low pressure and turn it up as needed/safe to do so. Try not to go too high and avoid getting the nozzle too close as plastics are soft and you could gouge or score the furniture.
6. Sand it down and refinish it with spray paint
If the furniture has faded or become discoloured, then before you bin and buy new, why not try restoring it? Start by cleaning the furniture using any or a combination of the methods above. When dry, lightly sand the surface with a fine-grit sandpaper. This will help to roughen up the surface slightly, allowing for the paint and primer to adhere to the surface. Apply a plastic primer to ensure better coverage of the new paint. Once the primer is dry, apply a paint suitable for plastic surfaces. You want a high-quality outdoor spray paint formulated specifically for plastic. Multiple thin coats (left to dry in between each) are better than one thick coat to prevent drips and ensure even coverage.
Our final thoughts…
The best way to avoid all of the above is to look after your outdoor furniture. It will last longer, save you money, and you're more likely to use it if it’s looking its best. Keep it clean, out of direct sunlight, cover it or store it when not using it, in bad weather, and during the winter months and it will keep its original colour and finish for much much longer.
After cleaning, we would also recommend the application of a UV-protectant and moisture-repellent spray to help prevent future fading and damage in direct sun and to help keep it cleaner for longer. If you want to use any specialist products such as a plastic restorer or apply a protective coating, always follow the manufacturers' guidelines and test first.
If you have any photos of our maintenance-free metal furniture, we’d love to see a few for our Do Some Good charity campaign. You can tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or Upload Here.