How To Clean Plastic/Resin Outdoor Patio Furniture

[Niagara]

Last edited Thu Mar 20, 2025, 10:47 AM - Edit history (1)

A few years ago I garbage picked this plastic/resin bench.

When I first spotted it, I thought that it was some sort of stone bench since it was so discolored. To be fair I spotted it at night. I had never seen such detail for a backrest on a plastic/resin bench either. I went to see how heavy it was and discovered it was lightweight material.

I had previously attempted to clean this bench with liquid dish soap with a salt mixture, a Mr. Clean magic eraser, Shout laundry stain remover, and a few other failed cleaning attempts.

Someone close to me recommended Clorox cleaner plus bleach.

I hauled this bench into my tub/shower combo and it barely fit. I sprayed it with the cleaner and let it sit for about 20 minutes. I took my hand held shower head and rinsed it off. I repeated this procedure several times. I wiped it down with a cleaning towel to help dry it before hauling it back outside.


It worked! No scrubbing was involved. The bench looks practically brand new. I hope this information helps someone else.



Before





After




Edit: I forgot to mention that a power washer was used last summer before any other attempts were made to try to clean this bench off without much success.

[LuckyCharms]

1. Wowwwwww!

That material is hard to clean!

You did a great job! It looks brand new!

[Niagara]

3. Thank you, Lucky!

I think I was a little high from bleach fumes yesterday but it was definitely worth it.

[Phoenix61]

2. It is an unusual back. Very nice! Soft scrub with bleach

is one of my go to’s. When that doesn’t work I use the liquid chlorine for the pool. Just have to be careful with that as it’s really strong.

[Niagara]

5. There's still some grim on the back of the bench

I couldn't handle the bleach fumes any longer. I'll finish the back of the bench in the fall or next spring.

[CrispyQ]

4. Perfect timing!

I have two chairs in a style they no longer make & they are super comfortable but dirty. Thanks for this!

[Niagara]

6. Hooray, CrispyQ

This is the product that I used. There's most likely other products that are just as good.




I'm all about saving items that I like and that are in excellent condition. I can't believe all the nice items that I've saved from the landfill over the years.

[CrispyQ]

8. I'll look for it.

Years ago I read a science fiction story that took place in the late 21st century where a family who owned a landfill made their living selling scavenged stuff from it. The same story had hurricanes in the Pacific that never died. They'd travel around the ocean & gain strength then hit land on occasion, Japan, Hawaii, North America, & then go back out to sea & get big again. I read this back in the 80s & now I wonder when I will read that headline. I don't remember the book title but David Brin was the author.

[Niagara]

10. That sounds like an interesting book to read

If you ever happen to remember the book title, please let me know.

[Kali]

13. I think that stuff is about 1 to 2 % bleach and has some soap or other sudsing agents

you could save a ton by making your own, even with regular clorox instead of pool chlorine. regular bleach is 5 to 6% depending on how long it has been sitting around. bargain bleaches are lower and same thing about how long the have been sitting. walmart pool chlorine is 10% when fresh. just put a quarter to half cup in a spray bottle with a squirt of dish detergent, fill with water and it is almost free.

[Niagara]

7. I edited this thread. I forgot to mention that a power washer was used last summer without much success.

[Kali]

9. I am a clorox fiend

or rather walmart pool chlorine (stronger and cheaper than regular bleach) better to use out doors than in an enclosed space for sure (and of course do not mix with any other cleaners than detergent)

also with resin furniture using it actually helps keep it from getting that chalky crust from too much sun.

[Niagara]

11. I'll try to remember to call you "Clorox Fiend" from now on, Kali

I'm glad that pool chorine works out for you to clean items.

I was seriously at a loss when power washing the bench wasn't a successful solution.

[Kali]

12. learned it from my Mom

and from brewing beer

found a pool care forum that advocated bleach, baking soda, and borax (BBB) using liquid bleach instead of other products that can mess up your water. back then extra strength clorox was cheaper than liquid pool chlorine. you can't get the extra strength any longer and they also put other gunk in half their formulas so now, and especially after the pandemic, regular liquid pool chlorine is the cheapest bleach based on % or ppm.

for laundry or cleaning just dilute with water, same as regular bleach.

I'm scared of power washers, hurt myself at a carwash one time, but I bet they are great on sidewalks and getting rid of old paint on wood.