How to clean and care for an Adirondack chair
Soap and water. Everything else on this page is what not to do.
The routine
Once a year, or when it looks dusty: hose it off, wipe it with warm water and a little dish soap, rinse. Ten minutes for a set of four. That is the entire maintenance schedule for the life of the chair.
Stubborn marks
Sunscreen, bird droppings, tree sap and barbecue grease sit on the surface — HDPE absorbs nothing — so they come off. Warm soapy water and a soft brush first. For sap or grease, a little rubbing alcohol on a cloth. For a scuff from a dragged pot, a magic-eraser sponge, gently.
Never
- No pressure washer at close range. It will not hurt the board, but it can etch the surface if held on one spot.
- No abrasives, no steel wool, no scouring powder.
- No bleach at strength; diluted 1:10 is fine for mildew in a shaded corner, then rinse.
- No solvents beyond alcohol. Acetone and paint thinner will soften the surface.
- Do not paint it. It does not need it and paint will not stick.
Winter
Leave it out. Why that is fine.
Hardware
Stainless, so it does not rust. Once a year, check the bolts are snug; boards move slightly with temperature and a quarter-turn keeps the chair silent.
Questions
Does recycled HDPE stain?
No. It does not absorb liquids, so anything that lands on it sits on the surface and washes off.
Can I use a pressure washer?
From a couple of feet, on a wide fan, yes. Held close on one spot it can etch the surface, so a hose is usually enough.