Washing

• 1). Fill a bucket or container with warm water and add a teaspoon of mild detergent, such as dish soap or hand soap. Use only a mild cleaning agent to avoid staining the wood.
  
  
• 2). Move the cedar furniture to a shady area for cleaning. Direct sunlight can cause the soap or water to dry too quickly on the wooden surface, potentially causing stains.
  
  
• 3). Dampen a rag or soft-bristle scrub brush in the soapy water. Wipe or scrub at the cedar furniture to remove dirt buildup and any stains.
  
  
• 4). Rinse the furniture with a light spray from a garden hose to remove residual soap suds. Do not allow the soap to dry on the surface.
  
  
• 5). Dry the furniture with a clean towel or allow it to air dry.
  
  

Power Washing

• 1). Set your power washer at its lowest setting, with no more pressure than 1200 pounds per square inch (psi).
  
  
• 2). Attach a broad fan nozzle to the hose of the washer so that the pressure is not applied directly to the surface at one place.
  
  
• 3). Activate the washer. Hold the nozzle 10 inches from the wood surface and move it across the area to remove dirt. For extra cleaning power, you can move the nozzle as close as six inches from the surface. Continue until you have cleaned the whole surface, then towel dry or air dry the furniture.