How to Clean Mildew from Outside Furniture

Cleaning Mildew from Wooden and Wicker Outside Furniture

• 1

  In a bucket, combine 2 tbsp. ammonia, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 gallon cool water. Soak a clean cloth in the solution, then rub the liquid onto wood or wicker furniture wherever mildew is present.

• 2

  Scrub the furniture with the ammonia solution, continually dipping the cloth into the bucket to rinse off the mildew and replenish the mildew-killing mixture. Scrub in grooves, cracks and crevices to get to mildew spores that are not visible on the surface. Pour solution straight from the bucket onto difficult-to-reach areas.

• 3

  Rinse your wooden or wicker outside furniture using your garden hose. Rinse thoroughly to remove the ammonia solution and any remaining mildew spores.

• 4

  Towel-dry moisture from your wooden or wicker furniture. Place your furniture in the sunlight to aid in the drying process and kill off any remaining mildew spores.

Cleaning Mildew from Fabric-Covered Outside Furniture

• 5

  Combine 1 cup lemon juice with 1/2 cup table salt in a bowl. Apply the lemon juice and salt mixture to your fabric-covered outside furniture with a scrub brush.

• 6

  Scrub the lemon juice and salt mixture into the mildew-stained fabric on your outside furniture. Rinse off your scrub brush frequently so you're not scrubbing the mildew back into the furniture. Apply more salt scrub until you've covered all areas that contained mildew stains.

• 7

  Let your fabric-covered outside furniture sit in the sunlight with the lemon juice and salt mixture still on it. Wait until the mixture dries. The lemon juice and sunlight will work together to kill the mildew, while the lemon juice also deodorizes any musty odors the mildew leaves behind.

• 8

  Rinse your outside furniture with a garden hose. Remove all of the lemon juice and salt mixture.

• 9

  Prop pillows and cushions on their sides so the excess water can drain off as they dry. Place your fabric-covered furniture in the sunlight until completely dry.