Composite / MGP Furniture: How to Clean and Sanitize

Composite Wood

Use this method for a quick clean-up of your High-Density Polyethylene (HPDE) furniture here and there throughout the season:

1. Mix mild dish soap and warm water in a bucket. 
2. Use a clean cloth to wipe the soapy mixture onto the surfaces of your furniture, cleaning off any dirt.
3. For extra cleaning power or to sanitize, mix 1/3 bleach and 2/3 water.
4. Apply bleach mixture to furniture with a clean cloth and allow it to sit on the lumber for 3 minutes (this will not affect the color).
5. Loosen any dirt and debris that may catch in the surface grooves of the lumber by scrubbing the bleach mixture with a soft-bristle brush.
6. Rinse thoroughly.

MGP Furniture

Marine grade polymer (MGP) frames should be routinely cleaned but only with common automotive or household detergents. If you are faced with an especially difficult-to-remove stain, apply bleach and allow it to sit for 2 to 3 minutes.  As MGP is non-porous, the bleach will not soak into the material.  If necessary you can use a nylon scrub pad or soft bristle brush when cleaning, but remember to do so with care, because too much abrasion or force can damage the finish.

If you need to hide scratches on the surface, try using an automotive silicone spray product or regular household furniture polish. Do not use teak oil and other staining products as these will ruin the appearance of your furniture.   Also, avoid any heat sources greater than 180°F.

Pro Tip: Pressure Washers can be extremely useful in cleaning HDPE and MGP furniture.  However, extreme caution should be used to keep the proper distance as too much pressure will damage the furniture.  Damage caused from pressure washers is NOT covered by any manufacturer’s warranty.