How to Restore Outdoor White Furniture

Clean your outdoor furniture thoroughly. The simplest way to do this is by hand, using water and dish washing soap, with 1/4 cup of bleach. First, take a rag or a leaf blower and get rid of all the loose dirt and debris that might be living on your outdoor furniture. Next take your bucket of soapy water and just give it a good scrub down. For restoring wicker furniture, clean between the weave with a toothbrush, and scrub underneath the chairs where mold can accumulate. You want to be careful not to use harsh cleaners, as they'll strip the finish off of the furniture.

Spray your outdoor furniture with a hose to rinse, allow everything to dry, then assess the damage. Let's assume that your furniture is in pretty bad shape, with scuff marks and a lack of sheen throughout. You have a number of options from here to get your furniture looking new again.

If the furniture is wicker, do not allow anyone to sit on it until it is completely dry, as wicker can easily take on a new shape while it's wet. Allow it to dry out of the sunlight.

Use WD-40 or car wax to polish furniture. Simply wipe or spray on, and buff down with a towel until dry. One problem with these two products is that they don't always work; if your furniture has been severely damaged, you might not notice much of a difference. WD-40 is a lubricating grease used primarily on metal, and though it can bring a nice shine to your outdoor furniture, there's always the chance of it staining clothing if it's not wiped off properly, which can be quite difficult in the case of white wicker.

Or, if your white patio furniture is quite aged, use a clear gloss spray or finish, which, unlike the previous option, dries without leaving behind a slimy residue. Although you could probably use a normal furniture gloss, it might be more work than it's worth, as these products have to be applied with a brush and sometimes require several coats. A better option is a spray-on gloss coat with a Krylon spray or similar product. These can be found in any hardware store and are fairly inexpensive. Simply shake the can well and apply from 6 to 12 inches away, moving slowly and carefully to avoid running.

Paint it. If your white outdoor furniture is past the stage of being repairable, taking on a color scheme that no longer even appears to have once been white, your best option might be repainting your furniture, especially for simple wooden pieces.

For plastic furniture, fortunately, Krylon makes a product called Fusion, a plastic paint that requires no preparation, and it comes in 12 different colors, including white. No sanding, no priming. Simply wash and dry your outdoor furniture, and then spray paint it whatever color you desire. It dries in an hour. You can have that white chair looking white again or choose a color that adds a bit more splash to your yard or patio.