Because a little dirt goes unnoticed until it's time to entertain guests, here's the best way to clean off that patio furniture.

best-way-to-cleanlimonada, flickr

Plastic patio furniture may get a bad rap in the decor world, but there's no cheaper way to seat lots of people outdoors. The main problem isn't a stylistic one, though. It's that plastic is porous and can hold onto dirt like there's no tomorrow. For a particularly stubborn stain, the vinegar treatment and standard soap-and-water didn't help. I even tried tile cleaner, but all I got was a headache.

I had a few Magic Eraser sponges (swear this is not a product placement) in my cleaning cabinet and on a whim, used it on the stain. To my surprise, it removed the stain with minimal effort. Just don't rub too hard, because I noticed that the sponge can dull the plastic surface.

Want more tips on cleaning outdoor furniture? Check out...
Removing Rust from Metal and Concrete
How to clean outdoor furniture
Prepare Your Outdoor Furniture For Entertaining

And to see other methods for cleaning patio furniture, watch this...