Insect stains are a common problem on white metal patio furniture here in the UK, especially during the warmer months when activity is at its peak.
However, while they are a problem in terms of being unsightly, stained chairs and tables are not somewhere you would want to sit or eat, they're generally pretty easy to remove if you keep on top of things.
With our darker colours, the stains, while there, are not as visible, but something you will probably still want to clean off from time to time.
With our white metal sets, you tend to find that insects such as flies and moths do have a greater attraction to them as they reflect light, plus any subsequent staining is more visible.
The other problem with outdoor tables in general is that there could be leftover food and drink spills that will also attract insects, especially those that feed on sugary substances.
If your garden furniture is placed near trees or bushes, then that's another area that can make it more susceptible to insect staining.
So, if you do have a problem with insect stains, then we have some safe ways you can remove them and some tips to help prevent them in the first place.
First up though, it’s worth us looking at some of the common types of insect stains that appear on garden furniture in the UK so you know what you’re dealing with.
What are the different types of stains that you get on white outdoor furniture in the UK?
In the UK, patio furniture can be affected by various types of insect stains, especially during the summer when we see insect activity increase.
These are just some common types of insect stains that can be found on patio furniture:
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Aphid Honeydew
Aphids are small sap-sucking insects that excrete a sticky substance known as honeydew. Often clear and sticky, it can turn black when mould forms on it. It is commonly found on patio tables, chairs, and cushions, especially when placed close to plants rose bushes and trees. -
Fly Spots
Flies, especially houseflies and fruit flies, leave behind tiny droppings or regurgitated food. They tend to appear as small black or brown specks and are often found on flat surfaces such as garden table tops, chair arms and seats. -
Bird-Dropping Insects
Bird droppings themselves can be an issue on patio furniture and that’s something we looked at in our How to remove bird poo article. Another common problem is the insects that feed on bird droppings. They can leave behind a brownish stain that is often greasy or sticky. -
Spider Droppings
Probably one of the most common white patio furniture stains after bird droppings is spider droppings. They appear on patio furniture as small, black or white sticky stains that can be tricky to remove with just soapy water, especially if the sun is shining. They are commonly found on the corners of chairs, garden table tops, and under cushions and parasols. -
Ladybird Stains
Ladybirds release a yellow fluid when disturbed, known as reflex bleeding. These yellowish stains often leave a lingering musky/sour smell and are commonly found on patio tables and outdoor fabrics such as our parasols and cushions. -
Moth/Butterfly Stains
Moths and butterflies will sometimes excrete or leave behind dust from their wings. These light-coloured stains are often powdery so can simply be brushed off metal furniture but they can stain our lighter-coloured cushions and parasols. They are more common when your furniture is placed close to light sources in the evenings such as an outdoor light or patio heater. -
Caterpillar Droppings
Caterpillars feed on plants and they will often leave behind droppings known as frass. These small, dark pellet-like droppings are often only an issue if the sun gets the opportunity to bake them on and then are more commonly found when the furniture is sat under trees or near plants. -
Beetle Stains
Certain beetles, such as those that feed on plant sap or decaying matter, will often excrete and stain garden furniture. The stains will generally appear as a brownish or dark stain that is often sticky. That said, they tend to be more commonly found on wooden furniture but we have come across them on metal. -
Ant Trails
Ants, particularly those foraging for food, can leave trails of dirt or debris that is often sticky if they've come into contact with sugary substances. They most commonly appear on table legs, chairs, and on the edges of tabletops. -
Gnat Stains
Blood-feeding gnats will sometimes leave behind small blood stains on white patio furniture. They appear as tiny red or dark spots from the insects they have squashed to digest and are often found on outdoor cushions, armrests, and garden table tops. -
Wasp/Hornet Droppings
Wasps and hornets, especially those that have fed on sugary substances, will also leave behind droppings. These small, dark, sticky spots, are similar to fly spots and are commonly found on patio tables, chairs, or any surface near sugary food or drinks. -
Grasshopper/Cricket Stains
Grasshoppers and crickets, while not too common outside of the countryside, can sometimes leave behind droppings after feeding on nearby plants. The stains appear as dark green or brown specks and are most common in gardens near large grassy areas or farmers' fields.
In general, insect stains on patio furniture can be addressed by regularly cleaning your furniture with warm soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge.
Car shampoo is our preference as it seems to best soften insect stains that have dried in the sun.
However, some of the more sticky or stubborn stains that have been left in direct sunlight will often require a specific cleaning solution to carefully remove them from white metal patio furniture.
What cleaning solution do you safely remove insect stains from white metal patio furniture?
To safely remove insect stains from white metal patio furniture, it's important to use cleaning methods that won't damage the metal finish or cause discolouration.
Our white metal finish is powder-coated, and while it's pretty tough stuff and small patches can be touched up, it can also be sensitive to harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.
The starting point is to give your garden table and chairs a general clean by mixing car shampoo or washing up liquid in a bucket of warm water.
Try and avoid any harsh chemicals such as ammonia or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage or discolour the white paint or powder-coated finish.
Dip a soft-bristled brush, sponge or cloth in the soapy water, gently wipe down the furniture, and then rinse with the garden hose to remove the soap.
Use a microfibre cloth or towel to buff the painted surface dry and prevent water spots, then leave to fully dry in the sun before use.
If that doesn’t remove it, then here is how we would recommend you clean the different types of insect stains:
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Aphid Honeydew
To remove this sticky sap-like substance, after the general cleaning, if the honeydew residue is still present, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and apply it to the stain using a sponge or soft cloth. Let it sit on there for a few minutes, then scrub with a soft-bristled brush and rinse. Avoid leaving the vinegar solution on for too long, as vinegar is slightly acidic, so prolonged exposure could dull the powder-coated finish. -
Fly Spots
If recent, then you can usually remove fly spots with a general clean but if it is sunny and they’re a little more persistent, then we like to use a paste of baking soda and water to remove the specks. Apply the paste, let it fizz for a minute or so, gently scrub with a soft-bristle brush, and then rinse thoroughly. -
Bird-Dropping Insect Stains
These stains can often be greasy, so if they don’t wash off with some warm soapy water. With this type of stain, we tend to find it's best to clean them off as soon as you spot them. If they are exposed to the sun, then they can harden and become tougher to remove. If this does happen, try a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Apply with a spray bottle and wipe off with a soft cloth. -
Spider Droppings
If general cleaning doesn’t remove spider stains, apply a baking soda paste or try a small amount of a non-abrasive multi-surface kitchen cleaner. The best way to prevent spider dropping is to regularly check for spider webs and clean them off with a damp cloth to prevent droppings from accumulating. -
Ladybird Stains
We love ladybugs but the yellow fluid they leave behind can be stubborn to remove. To remove the stain and smell, the best solution is white vinegar diluted with equal parts water. Apply the solution with a spray bottle, let it sit for a minute or two, and then scrub gently with a soft-bristle brush. As the yellow fluid can stain white paintwork, try to remove it promptly or it may require touching up. -
Moth/Butterfly Stains
These stains are often just powder or light marks. A soft, damp cloth will usually suffice. Even if the stain is a little more persistent, then soapy water and a soft cloth are often all that’s needed. On outdoor fabrics, such as cushions and parasols, try hoovering it off first. If it leaves a stain behind, dab it off (don’t rub) with some warm water and a little laundry detergent. -
Caterpillar Droppings
To remove frass, scrub the paintwork with soapy water and a soft-bristle brush. For any lingering residue, try the baking soda paste, gently scrub the affected area with a soft cloth or sponge, and then rinse thoroughly with the garden hose. -
Beetle Stains
For beetle stains, start with warm soapy water, but if the stain is a little oily or sticky, use the white vinegar diluted in water solution, and scrub with a soft-bristle brush. For persistent staining, a non-abrasive kitchen cleaner can help too. Just spray it on, let it sit for a minute or two, wipe it off with a soft cloth dipped in warm water, rinse, and dry. -
Ant Trails
Ant trails are typically dirt and debris, so you can usually clean them off with warm soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge. If the residue is sticky and the sun has had the chance to shine on it, then apply a white vinegar solution and scrub it gently with a soft-bristle brush. If you find ant trails regularly on your patio furniture, then treat the area for ants to prevent recurrence. -
Gnat Stains
If warm soapy water and a sponge will not remove blood stains, then tackle any stubborn spots, with a solution that is one part bleach to ten parts water. Spray it on, let it sit for no more than one minute then wash it off with warm water, rinse and dry. If you use this solution, we would always advise that you test it in an inconspicuous area (such as the underside of a chair) first) but we have found that with caution it can help quickly stubborn gnat stains. -
Wasp/Hornet Droppings
For wasp and hornet droppings start by washing with warm soapy water and a sponge to initially soften. If the staining is persistent, then a vinegar solution or baking soda paste will help to remove any sticky residue that is left. -
Grasshopper/Cricket Stains
Again, clean with warm soapy water and a sponge or cloth. If the stains remain, then use a vinegar and water solution or a non-abrasive multi-purpose kitchen cleaner.
How do you prevent insect stains on our white metal patio furniture?
As we always say, prevention is the best cure, so to prevent insect stains on white metal patio furniture, take a few proactive steps that will help reduce insect activity and protect the powder-coated finish.
Here are some of our practical prevention strategies:
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Insect Repellents
Here at Lazy Susan, we love our mini beasts so we prefer to repel rather than trap. Citronella candles are one of the best ways to do just that. Place them on the table and around the patio area to deter insects, flies, and moths. Alternatively, you can spray natural essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or peppermint around the furniture as insects tend not to like these scents. You can buy commercial insect repellents but you need to ensure they’re safe to use on a patio and that they won't damage the furniture’s surface. -
Cover Furniture
One of the best ways to keep insect stains off patio furniture and to generally just keep them clean and ready to use is to invest in some weatherproof covers for when it’s not in use. They will also help to keep the furniture free from other things like bird droppings, tree sap, dirt, and dust. If you have our chair cushions or a parasol, then always store them indoors when you're not using them. Insects are often more attracted to fabric and soft surfaces than hard furniture. -
Keep Furniture Clean
Clean up any food or drink spills immediately as they will attract insects like ants, flies, and wasps. Also, keep the area around the table clean and sweep up after using the table to remove any dropped food, spilt drinks, fallen leaves, plant debris, or any other organic matter that could attract insects. -
Protective Coating
After cleaning, we like to apply a light coat of carnauba-style wax with a soft cloth or a spray-on car sealant wax to not only give the white paint a nice bright lustre but also a little additional protection. Just as it does with your car paintwork, it creates a barrier that makes it harder for insect stains to stick and makes future cleaning much easier. -
Move Furniture
Trees and shrubs often house insects like aphids, caterpillars, and spiders, so if possible, avoid placing your furniture directly under them. Many insects such as flies and gnats are attracted to standing water too, so make sure your furniture is not near any birdbaths, ponds, or any puddles where they might gather. -
Regular Cleaning
Even if you don't notice visible stains, such as on our grey and black finish, still wipe down your metal patio furniture regularly with warm soapy water. This will prevent insects from leaving behind residues that could turn into stains. -
Trim & Prune
By keeping plants and trees trimmed you can also help to reduce the number of insects in the immediate patio area. Aphids, spiders, and other insects often live in the foliage, so reducing overhanging branches can limit their proximity to your outdoor furniture.
Regular maintenance and proactive deterrents are key to preventing insect-related issues, and these 7 strategies will significantly reduce the chances of insect stains on your patio furniture.
If you have our white metal patio furniture, then we would love to see a few photos for our Do Some Good charity campaign. You can tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or Upload Here.
