Man-made synthetic materials (which are typically made from strands of plastic) tend to be tough and non-porous, so are easy to clean - they will not harbour bacteria or mildew.
However, they are generally susceptible to being scratched. There are many man-made materials used for furniture, with varying qualities. Some are tougher than others, all tend to be stable. Our Croisette collection of furniture is picture above which has an aluminium frame with woven seat and back made from outdoor synthetic fibre.
Cleaning synthetics
When cleaning man-made material surfaces use warm water and detergent or Relay Spray. Take great care not to scour or scratch the surface.
Some furniture attracts static electricity, which causes dust to stick to it; use an anti-static cloth to minimise this.
Deep cleaning synthetics
For stubborn marks use a non-abrasive cleaning cream (eg Vim - Non-abrasive Cleaning Cream). Or use white distilled vinegar. For more cleaning power you can also add baking soda. Again, take particular care that the surface is not damaged.
Maintenance
For burns and other penetrating damage, lightly sand the surface using steel wool (0000-grade) and then apply a cleaning cream.
To restore the shine of plastic furniture (and for (and for added protection) use a material-specific wax such as 'Charm - Aerosol Furniture Polish'.
Free Furniture Care & Maintenance Guide
Get more from your contract furniture by caring for it properly. Download our Furniture Care & Maintenance Guide to learn how to make your furniture last longer in a hospitality space.