How To Clean Outdoor Swing Canopy

How to Clean Your Porch Swing and Keep it that Way

There is nothing as refreshing as relaxing on your porch swing on a cool summer day. But the swing has to be clean, otherwise your mind just won't enjoy the peace if your swing is dirty.

We wrote this article specifically to help all porch swing lovers to keep their porch swings clean. If you just want to learn how to wax your porch swing you can jump to this section.

Cleaning your swing not only maintains its beauty but it also lengthens its lifespan and keeps it stronger and safer to use.

Simple Steps to Washing Your Porch Swing

To clean your porch swing you need to first consider the type of material that your swing is built. If it's metallic you can easily wash it up with sponge and soaped up water.
If it has sticky stains try using an old toothbrush to scrub off the stains.
If you are cleaning a wooden porch swing you need to be a bit more careful to avoid too much water seeping into the timbers.
Get a bucket, load it with warm water and soap it up, I prefer using dish-washing liquid mostly because it's better suited to remove greasy stains from hard surfaces.
Afterwards get a sponge and wash your swing making sure that you are checking for any maintenance issues while you are at it

Cleaning a Metallic Porch Swing

Metallic porch swings have one major enemy, rust! If you are to clean your swing make sure that you avoid rust as much as possible. First inspect your swing for scratches and chips making sure there are no points that are not covered with paint.

If you find any points where paint has either chipped or scratched off, sand it and clean it with warm soapy water. Allow for some drying then carefully apply appropriately colored paint on scratched surfaces.

Wait for the painted parts to dry. If you are unable to paint it such that you maintain a uniform finish throughout the swing then you need to get the assistance of a professional painter.

You may also need to check the bolts, screws and nails for rust as well. If some of the fasteners are extremely rusted then you may have to replace them. Otherwise you can sand them and apply a bit of some grease to avoid rust then you reinstall them.

Once you are done with the general maintenance work then you start with the process of washing the swing with some warm soaped up water, you may use your normal dishwashing liquid and a sponge.

Ensure that you remove dust particles from even the toughest corners so that you archive that squeaky clean look.

To make the finish even more spectacularly clean, apply your motor vehicle paste wax. Polish it off nicely with microfiber cloth to give it a nice glossy finish.

Simple Steps to Waxing you Porch Swing

To ensure that you protect the paint and prevent rusting you should, every once in a while apply the motor vehicle wax. If you have never applied this wax then you are in luck, the simple steps are shown below:

Wash your porch swing surface as outlined above
Allow it to dry
Further clean it up with a dry cloth to ensure there are no other drops remaining
Apply the motor vehicle wax on the painted metal surfaces
Give to wax some 10 minutes to dry down
Thereafter you can start polishing such that no visible wax is left over
Then delight at the new shine that your porch swing acquires

Cleaning Wooden Porch Swings

Wooden porch swings are much less durable than metal ones hence desire a lot more attention. Most of the time the swing just needs some dusting or even removal of greasy food particles.

However molds can also develop and when they do you need to pay a bit more attention.

If your swing is made of strong timbers such as oak and cedar then you are in luck, much less work for you. However if you have a swing made of pine or other such softwoods then roll up your sleeves you need to be more thorough in your approach.

A lot of people prefer washing their swing with a hose. I don't like that route. It usually means a lot more work as it normally entails splashing water all over the place; you are then going to have to mop it up again.

I prefer getting the good old bucket, fill it up with warm water, pour in some dish washing liquid, pull up your sleeves and put on your yellow gloves (coz' this baby's about to go down!).

Take your normal soft sponge and starting washing up your swing one slate at a time.

While you are washing (or even before you start) check for some cracks and wood splits. Be on the lookout for rusted nails, bolts and nuts. Look to see if the glued up areas are still holding.

If you see some joints have started separating then you may have to do some repair work and screw 'em up again or sand them and re-glue the joint.

If you find that the work may end up being too complex or risky for your swing then may need the services of a handyman, a woodworker or some other professional. It all depends on how special your swing is and/or its condition

The metallic elements of the swing are much simpler to deal with, if they are rusty or wearing out don't be afraid to replace them. The same applies to worn out timbers.

Just be aware not to end up changing the overall look of your swing. It's very important that after you work on your swing it retains that uniform natural look that exhibits excellent workmanship.

The general rule whenever cleaning or finishing wooden furniture is scrub and thereafter polish in the direction of the grain. In simpler terms scrub/brush parallel to the lines on your timber piece.

If you try to brush perpendicular to these lines (grain) you will start scratching the timber and that would not be desirable.

If your swing has developed unwanted molds then take an old toothbrush moisten it with your soapy water then brush off the molds. Be careful not to scratch your timber pieces. Though unusual, you may find some tough stains.

Always try to remove stains with the applicable chemical. For instance greasy substance like oily food require soap detergent for removal.

However paint stains may require some form of paint thinner or other solvent for removal. Vehicle oil for instance may also need a solvent (engine cleaner) for removal. For a porch swing the much tougher stains usually require the application of your white vinegar.

If all else fails then don't be scared to take your sandpaper and gently remove the stain. Remember to follow the grain in the process. Once done wash it up with your water.

A lot of people like to have their porch swings left bare and natural.. That's okay, they can leave it like that, however I prefer to have it either varnished or painted. That way I can have it look the way I want and I lasts longer as well.

Thus when you are done with the cleaning process you can re-inspect your swing make sure there are no exposed points, that don't have areas lacking paint or varnish covering.

If you see any such exposed points don't hesitate to protect them with a film of paint or varnish. However, I reiterate make sure that such actions do not affect the aesthetic, uniform look of your swing, some of us are perfectionists.

Remember to always follow the instructions on your user manual, they give the best guide on maintaining your swing.

One of the best ways to keep your swing as good as new is to acquire a breathable cover. This not only protects against direct sunlight and bird droppings, it also doesn't allow for molding to take place.

In extremely bad weather or whenever you know that you won't be using your swing for a long time simply take it into your storeroom or find a nice spot inside the house for store. This will definitely maintain your swing for a longer time to come.

How to clean up your wicker furniture

If I were asked which of the two types (natural or man-made) of wicker porch swings I would like. I would definitely go for the man-made fibers. Man-made fibers are easier to clean, they are mostly weather resistant and last way longer than the natural ones.

wicker porch swing how to clean it — a wicker porch swing, image courtesy of wicker paradise

Probably the two reasons why you would buy natural wicker swings is that they are natural and that they feel natural. Otherwise in terms of maintenance and care you will have to work like you're in a concentration camp.

I think you get the picture, I don't prefer natural wicker. But maybe you do or you already have one. If so you will be pleased to note that cleaning and maintaining natural and man-made wicker is pretty much the same, in principle.

Cleaning a Man-made fiber Wicker Porch Swing

When cleaning an artificial fiber wicker porch swing you use the bucket with warm water process. Mix your warm water with dishwasher liquid and take your sponge and get to work. Consider using white vinegar for tougher stains.

If it so happens that your swing is dusty then you need a soft duster or very soft bristle brush. I prefer a feather duster. Remove your dust particles then scrub your swing with soapy warm water.

You may want to wax your swing so that it has that nice glossy finish as well. Automobile paste wax can do the trick very well.

Cleaning a Natural Fiber Wicker Porch Swing

Natural fiber made of (mostly rattan) reeds are much more fragile than artificial fibers. You therefore have to be more careful in your approach. Be on the lookout for molds and insect attack.

As with the man-made fiber swings you may remove dust with a feather duster or a soft bristle brush. You may then scrub it up with warm water with dishwashing detergent. Use a soft sponge for this. If there are some tough stains consider removing them with white vinegar.

Make sure that you do not leave water droplets lodged on hard to reach corners of the swing otherwise molds will have a field day and the reeds will rot much quicker.

Once you are done with these processes make sure you thoroughly dry up the swing with microfiber cloth.

Perhaps the most suitable way to clean such a swing is to use a small vacuum cleaner such as the one you use for your car. If you have an even smaller one which has some brushes on it then good for you because that's the best.

Once you are done you can also finish off by waxing it to give that wow look.

Washing your porch swing cushions

It's no use having a beautiful swing but with dirty cushions, it just doesn't work. Your cushions need to be well taken care of just like the swing seat itself. Direct sunlight, UV rays in particular rapidly fade your cushion covers.

That's why it's important to avoid hanging your swing in direct sunlight. However, your cushion covers will fade off eventually and you will have to replace them. Don't wait until someone comments or they start tearing and the staffing inside starts to show.

You can use your normal detergent to wash the normal cushion covers. White vinegar comes in handy to remove tough stains. If you have outdoor fabrics (made of woven fibers) then you are one of the lucky ones.

These last longer and are much stronger. To clean these you can use your clear liquid detergent and the good old white vinegar for tougher stains. Remember to do all your washing with warm water.

What about the chain, don't we need to keep it clean too

It's definitely important to keep your chain nice and shiny. You probably need to keep your chain protected from rust. In order to protect your chain from rust you may consider applying automobile paste wax on it.

This will protect it from moisture thus preventing corrosion. If you are open to having it painted then go ahead.

I would avoid greasing it because grease has a certain smell that's undesirable and every time that someone touches it, their hands become dirty.

Most porch swing distributors have got chain covers, you may acquire these as they go a long way in protecting your swing.

Be that as it may, always keep your porch swing and its accessories clean, this not only beautifies your porch but is also adds to the lifespan of your precious porch swing.