Baking soda is one of the most popular home remedies when it comes to cleaning and it is also often used in the garden to combat pests and diseases. But can you also clean garden furniture with baking soda?
One thing is certain: you can also use the home remedy for patio and balcony furniture. What is more important, however, is whether this is also appropriate on all materials. For example, can wooden furniture tolerate the agent in the same way as plastic furniture or metal furniture? Let's find out!
Which materials can you treat with this home remedy?
Garden furniture is available in a wide variety of designs and materials and they also react differently to different materials. You can only clean with baking soda:
- plastic
- pad
However, avoid application on aluminum and metal in general and wood. Or first carry out a test in an invisible area. This also applies to the plastic and the use on the seat cushions to ensure that the color, for example, is not affected.
- Aluminum has a protective oxide layer that is attacked and damaged by the powder. This causes the metal to discolor. Baking soda would also scratch the surface, so only soft and non-abrasive agents should be used. How to clean aluminumfind out here.
- Wooden furniture usually has a protective layer, i.e. a seal, that is intended to make it more weather-resistant. You would rub them with the abrasive cleaner. How to proceed with wooden furniture, you canread here.
The useful properties of baking soda powder
The powder has a slightly abrasive property, combined with a bleaching effect, which is why it is often used on white plastic furniture. Outside there is a particularly large amount of dirt such as dust, which collects on light surfaces and, in combination with moisture and sunlight, forms a stubborn gray haze. Direct sunlight can cause plastic to yellow. And in most cases the powder can reverse this and provide a shiny surface.
It is very easy to use on plastic furniture and does not require any lengthy preparation, so you can also carry out cleaning spontaneously. You often already have the product in the house and if not, baking soda can be used instead.
We would like to point out once again that it is a good idea to test the product on an invisible area on the furniture before each use in order to avoid any major damage.
Cleaning plastic garden furniture – this is how it works:
- Prepare a soft cloth that you will use to wipe the surfaces.
- Dampen the cloth.
- Apply baking soda or baking powder to an area and rub it over the furniture surfaces.
- If the powder on the cloth is used up, simply sprinkle some more.
- Once the piece of furniture has been completely rubbed in, allow the product to take effect for a while.
- Rinse it generously with water.
Exception case: Clean heavily weathered wooden furniture
If your wooden garden furniture no longer has a protective layer and is in pretty poor condition, you can use a baking soda or baking powder pasteRemove green growthand brighten the weathered surface. It's best to choose a sunny day so that the wood can dry well afterwards.
- Mix the powder with water, choosing the amounts so that a paste is created.
- Stir the paste well as there should be no lumps at the end.
- Now rub the piece of furniture. The pads should come off.
- Then rinse the piece of furniture well and let it dry in the sun. It also has a brightening effect.
- If necessary, you can lightly sand the surfaces with sandpaper.
- It is important that you then carry out appropriate wood care and seal the wood so that it always remains in good condition from now on. Winter protection is also recommended.
You can find out more about “baking soda against green deposits”.in this article.
Clean the seat cushions and textile coverings of garden furniture with baking soda
Of course, the upholstery of outdoor furniture gets more dirt than our indoor textiles. And that can also make cleaning a little more difficult. How exactly can you use baking soda?Clean the seat cushions of the garden furniture?
There are several variants depending on the degree of contamination:
- Neutralize odors and freshen upholstery
Simply sprinkle the powder directly over the fabric and let it sit for a while. It's best to do this overnight when you won't be using the pads anyway. The next day you can simply shake and tap or vacuum the baking soda.
- If it is slightly more dirty
If the seat and back cushions are a little more dirty, you can simply add water. So again sprinkle the powder onto the surfaces and rub it into the fabric with a damp cloth. A sponge is also suitable. Let everything work overnight again. The product should be dry by the next day so you can simply vacuum it up.
- Stubborn stains
Is there one or two stains that just won't go away if you treat the fabrics using the recipes above? Then a stronger paste is required. To do this, just mix the two ingredients, water and baking soda, into a thick mixture. You then apply this to the stains in rubbing movements and allow it to take effect. Then remove the paste roughly, let everything dry and vacuum up the remains. In the future, protect the seat cushions with an impregnation spray.
Notice: A lemon-salt paste is also suitable.
Tipp:If you can use the products during the day, that's even better for drying. To do this, place them in the blazing sun, as this will actually help clean them. Also, quick drying is better to avoid water stains.
