Aluminum Furniture Care & Cleaning

Murphy Aluminum+Sling Dining Chair collection

Aluminum patio furniture is built to live outside. That’s kind of the whole point. A powder-coated aluminum frame won’t rot, rust, or warp the way wood can, and quality sling fabric is made to shrug off sun, rain, and the occasional spilled lemonade. With a little routine care, your set will stay looking sharp through season after season of backyard living.

The tips below are specific to powder-coated aluminum frames and sling fabric. Caring for something else? Check out our dedicated guides for Wood Care, Leather Care, and Fabric Upholstery Care, or start with the basics over on General Furniture Care.

Murphy Sling Swivel Rocker Dining Height

Cleaning Your Sling Fabric

Good news first: the sling fabric on these pieces is mold, mildew, and stain-resistant, and it’s GreenGuard Certified, meaning it’s been tested for low chemical emissions, so it’s safe for the spaces where your family actually hangs out. “Resistant” doesn’t mean indestructible, though, so here’s how to keep it looking its best.

Routine Cleaning Mix ¼ cup of mild dish soap into one gallon of warm water, or grab Berlin Gardens Fabric Cleaner, which is made for exactly this. Using a sponge or soft-bristle brush, gently scrub the entire surface rather than just the spot you’re worried about. Cleaning the whole sling at once keeps the fabric looking even, instead of leaving one suspiciously clean patch surrounded by everything else. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and let it air dry.

For a Tougher Job When a sling needs more muscle, step up to Berlin Gardens Xtreme Clean, or mix ¼ cup of Mr. Clean® into one gallon of warm water. Same routine: a gentle scrub with a soft cloth, sponge, or soft-bristle brush, then a thorough rinse with clean water.

Dealing With Mold or Mildew If mold or mildew shows up and won’t come out with the steps above, mix 1 part bleach to 3 parts water, clean the affected area, and rinse well. Outdoor furniture lives in damp conditions sometimes. It happens, and it’s fixable.

Cleaning Aluminum Frames

Your powder-coated frame cleans up much like the slings do. Use Berlin Gardens Xtreme Clean, or ¼ cup of Mr. Clean® in one gallon of warm water, and wipe it down with a soft cloth, sponge, or soft-bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and you’re done.

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What to Avoid

A couple of habits will cut your furniture’s good looks short in a hurry:

Skip the abrasive stuff. Abrasive cleaners and scrubbing pads can scratch and dull the powder-coated finish, which is the very thing protecting your frame from the elements. Stick to soft cloths, sponges, and soft-bristle brushes.

Step away from the pressure washer. It’s tempting, we know. But a pressure washer can damage both the sling fabric and the frame finish. Let the soap and water do the work instead.

Touch-Up Paint: Fixing Scratches & Chips

Even tough finishes pick up the occasional scratch or chip. Color-matched touch-up paint restores the appearance and re-seals the finish so the bare metal underneath stays protected. Color-matched paint for your specific finish is available through Millwest, so reach out by phone or email (details at the bottom of the page) and we’ll help you get the right match. Here’s how to apply it once you have it:

  1. Protect the surroundings. Cover any nearby sling or poly surfaces so you don’t end up with overspray where it doesn’t belong.
  2. Clean the area. Wash the scratched or chipped spot with mild soap and water, rinse, and let it dry completely.
  3. Prep the surface. Lightly sand the area to smooth any sharp edges, which helps the new paint blend in.
  4. Clean again. Wipe it down with rubbing alcohol to lift any dust, oils, or residue, then let it dry.
  5. Apply the paint. Shake the can well. Hold it about 10 inches from the surface and spray in light, indirect passes from a few different angles. Feather slightly beyond the damaged area so the new paint blends into the old finish. Build up thin, even coats, giving each one time to dry, and resist the urge to overapply, or you’ll end up with a glossy spot that stands out.

Touch-Up for Speckled Colors
Speckled finishes take a little more finesse, since you’re layering two colors:

  1. Clean and lightly sand the affected area.
  2. Apply the base color, holding the can about 10 inches away.
  3. Let it dry completely (see the drying schedule below).
  4. Lightly mist the top color over the base from a greater distance. Don’t panic if the match looks off at first. That’s normal at this stage.
  5. Let it dry, then reapply the base color.
  6. Keep alternating layers until the color match looks right.

Tips for Best Results

  • Practice on a piece of scrap cardboard first to get a feel for spray distance and control.
  • Hold the can farther away for top layers than you do for the base coat.
  • Always spray from multiple angles for even coverage.
  • Go thin. Heavy layers create uneven sheen and glossy patches.
  • When you’re finished, turn the can upside down and spray until it runs clear. This clears the nozzle and tube so the can is ready to go next time.

Drying Schedule

  • To the touch: 15 to 30 minutes
  • Ready to handle: 1 to 2 hours
  • Fully cured: 7 days

For small nicks, spray a little paint into a flat dish and dab it on with a cotton swab or a small artist’s brush. You’ll get far more control than spraying directly.

For deep scratches that go all the way down to bare metal, a touch-up may not be enough on its own. Contact us by phone (details below) and we’ll help you figure out the best path forward.

Sling Replacement

If a sling becomes worn or damaged, it can be replaced. Every item in the line accepts a replacement sling, with one exception: chaise lounges. To get started on a sling replacement, contact us by phone or email using the details below.

Questions, Touch-Up Paint, or Replacement Parts?

We’re glad to help with color-matched touch-up paint, replacement slings, or any care question about your aluminum furniture. The easiest way to reach us is by phone: