Housekeeping House Cleaning Seasonal Cleaning How to Remove Mold from Every Type of Outdoor Furniture If your patio set is looking dingy, remove mold with these expert cleaning tips. By Alicia Chilton Updated on September 5, 2022 Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Marcus Reeves is an experienced writer, publisher, and fact-checker. He began his writing career reporting for The Source magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. His book Somebody Scream: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power was nominated for a Zora Neale Hurston Award. He is an adjunct instructor at New York University, where he teaches writing and communications. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email It's disconcerting when your outdoor furniture starts to look, well, funky. Don't be alarmed, though: Mold and mildew are to be expected over time, as the surfaces are exposed to moisture from precipitation and humidity. It will take more than just a light cleaning to tackle the problem, but with a little know-how and the right tools and cleaners, you'll be able to refresh your patio set. Visit the manufacturer's website for any specific instructions, then read our materials guide below. A note on safety: Wear gloves and a mask while you clean, and work in a well-ventilated area. Do not mix cleaners, and follow all the manufacturer's instructions on any products you use. miguelangelortega/Getty Images Before Getting Started Note that bleach may cause discoloration on certain fabrics, so spot test an inconspicuous place before using. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools How to Remove Mold from Patio Furniture Nylon bristle brush Garden hose Towels How to Remove Mold from Plastic Outdoor Furniture Spray bottle How to Clean Mold Off Outdoor Cushions Spray bottle Soft cloth Washing machine Materials How to Remove Mold from Patio Furniture Water Enzyme cleaner Bleach Soap How to Remove Mold from Plastic Outdoor Furniture Mold-cleaning product Vinegar Warm water Bleach How to Remove Mold from Outdoor Wood Furniture Bleach Soap Water Wood-specific cleaner How to Clean Mold Off Outdoor Cushions Bleach Water Instructions How to Remove Mold from Patio Furniture Mild cases of mold can be scrubbed off of most outdoor furniture with a mixture of water, soap, and a little bleach, says James Conner, former vice president at Molly Maid. Mix Cleaning Solution Combine water, soap, and bleach in a spray bottle. Protect Plants If you are working near your garden, landscaping, or grass, take precautions to ensure your cleaners don't end up on any plants. Before you start scrubbing, hose down and completely saturate all vegetation in the immediate area with clean water, says David Flax, president at Window Genie, a home service company that specializes in window cleaning. Bleach runoff can severely damage or even kill plants and grass, but if the vegetation is wet, the bleach will be diluted upon accidental contact, reducing the odds of damage. Clean Furniture Surfaces Spray the mixture onto the furniture surface and agitate the area with a nylon-bristle brush ($10, Amazon), then rinse thoroughly with water. Avoid using a brush with metal bristles, as it can scratch surfaces like wood, glass tabletops, painted surfaces, and more. Eliminate Mold Although chlorine bleach effectively removes the stains caused by mold, it doesn't actually kill the mold. To effectively wipe mold out, turn to an enzyme cleaner, says Doug Hoffman, CEO of the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI). "Mold and mildew on outdoor furniture (and anywhere in the home) is a particularly tricky problem and can become a health hazard," Hoffman says. "Certified mold assessors and remediators are trained to assess the presence of mold and treat the problem effectively, and with professional-grade cleaning products." Protect Furniture and Prevent Mold Once your furniture is clean, preventive measures, including regular cleaning, can help keep mold at bay. If your furniture doesn't get enough sunlight to dry it, move it into the sun or make a habit of drying your patio furniture with towels to remove standing water. Peter Krumhardt How to Remove Mold from Plastic Outdoor Furniture To tackle mold and mildew on plastic patio furniture, use a cleaning product designed for removing mold, or use vinegar and water. Take care when using bleach, and test on an inconspicuous spot for colorfastness. Use a Mold-Removing Cleaner To tackle mildew on plastic patio furniture, use a product designed for removing mold, such as Concrobium Liquid Mold Remover ($13, Lowe's). Read the label to ensure the product you selected is safe for use on plastic; follow all application instructions and safety guidelines. Spritz with Vinegar You can also turn to vinegar to clean mold off of plastic outdoor furniture. Spray white distilled vinegar onto the mold, then let it sit for an hour. Rinse with warm clean water before following up with a second application of vinegar. Let the vinegar dry without rinsing it away. Use Bleach After Patch Testing Bleach can etch white plastic outdoor furniture. If you have colored plastic furniture, test bleach on a hidden spot to ensure it won't discolor or harm the material. Once you've performed a successful patch test, apply the bleach mixture noted above. How to Remove Mold from Outdoor Wood Furniture Understand your furniture. Different types of furniture require different cleaning methods and products. Keller and Keller Photography Inc Assess Your Furniture for Bleach Tolerance Be aware that bleach can discolor stained wood. If you opt to use bleach, test it on an inconspicuous spot first to see how it affects the finish. If your furniture passes the bleach test, follow the basic bleach, soap, and water method noted above. Treat Teak Gently Gentle scrubbing is a must for teak furniture. Be sure to rinse the furniture well after cleaning. Use Wood-Specific Cleaners Cleaners specifically made for removing mold stains from outdoor wood surfaces can be purchased at big box and hardware stores. Read the specifications on the label to ensure the cleaner is formulated to work on your type of wood furniture and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Victoria Pearson How to Clean Mold Off Outdoor Cushions Outdoor cushions bring indoor comfort to outdoor spaces, but there's a downside: These materials can be prone to mold and mildew. It's important to invest in cushions and fabric that are not just easy to clean but are engineered to resist water, mold, and mildew from the start, says Sarah Dooley, marketing director of upholstery at Sunbrella. Test Before You Spray Check the fabric or cushion manufacturer's website for recommendations specific to their product. Bleach will harm the color of some fabrics, but others, like Sunbrella fabrics, are engineered not to discolor. Test the underside of a cushion before cleaning to determine if bleach is safe for use. Clean the Cushion Mix bleach and water according to the bleach manufacturer's instructions. Spray onto the fabric surface, or use a cloth to wipe the mixture onto the fabric. Let the bleach stand on the fabric for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. To avoid water rings, clean the entire surface area of the fabric. Machine-Wash Removable Covers Some outdoor cushions come with removable covers that can be laundered in your washing machine. Spot-treat as needed before washing according to the furniture manufacturer's instructions.