Outdoor Furniture Care

Easy ways to care for your outdoor furniture
With all of summer vacation stretching ahead of us, more time will be spent enjoying the great outdoors. But as we mow our yards, plant our gardens and barbeque on the patio, there is one area of care we really shouldn't forget – our outdoor furniture. Every year we spend countless hours using the chairs, tables, umbrellas and loungers that decorate our outdoor living spaces. But how often do we think about caring for them, cleaning them? If you are like me, it's not until they are too dirty to use! (You think I'm kidding? You should have seen the chairs I cleaned last week. Yuck! Even the kids wouldn't use them.) Obviously after sitting outside, or stored away, for months and months, they need a little spit and polish to bring them back to life.

As a new homeowner, I have been looking for patio and lawn furniture. As a confessed slob, I want something that is easy to clean and maintain. So I did a little research trying to figure out what type of furniture would be easiest to care for. Here are some of the tips I found for many different types of outdoor furniture.

General Care

Ideally, outdoor furniture should be stored indoors during the winter or rainy months to avoid weather damage. Although most is made to be left outside for long periods of time, very cold or very damp climates can have a negative effect on many types of surfaces. Luckily, using a mild detergent, rinsing them and drying, can clean most. Depending on what your furniture is made of, many car cleaners can be used to clean and protect various surfaces. Be sure to check the label to make sure any product you use is safe for your particular surface type.

Plastics

Plastic is the most common material used for outdoor furniture of any type. Durable and easy to care for, you can find just about anything made from plastic these days. But there are several different types of plastic and some require special care. Most can be washed using dish soap and water and then set in the sun to dry (or dry with a towel to avoid water spots). However, scouring powders and strong alkalis should never be used as they can scratch and mar the surface. Nylon webbing and mesh fabric can be scrubbed with a brush to remove stains. Did you know that some tanning lotions and oils can stain vinyl? Neither did I, so be sure to use a towel when sitting on this type of material.

Cushions

Most outdoor cushions are coated with a synthetic fabric meant to stand up to outdoor conditions. Tanning supplies can stain these, as well. But believe it or not, they are fairly simply to clean. Just wash with a mild detergent and rinse. Then stand the cushions on their sides to dry. Since their fillings are normally made from polyester, they resist mildew and do not hold water. But some are filled with a urethane foam that is not weather proof and should be protected from rain. Check the tags to see which kind you have. A cleaning solution of 1-cup bleach, 1-cup powdered laundry detergent and 3 gallons of water is recommended by many manufacturers to remove any tough stains or mildew. Just flush the cushions with the mixture and allow to soak for 30 minutes to kill any mildew. Dry for several days in the sun. (Remember not to use this solution on grassy areas or near plants, as the chemicals can damage them.)

Umbrellas

You should close umbrellas during heavy rains or high winds to avoid damage. Just be sure to open them up afterwards so that dirt and water don't collect in the folds. Clean using a mild detergent, rinse and leave open to dry.

Painted Metal Surfaces

Baked-on enamel surfaces are the most durable, followed by metal surfaces that have had a primer followed by a second coat of paint or enamel baked on. Paint or enamel applied directly to metal is the least durable and tends to bubble, chip and peel more quickly. If you live in a severe weather area, this type of furniture needs to be stored indoors. If left out in the rain, metal furniture can rust and leave rust stains on cement. The good news is that it is fairly easy to clean, and if properly cared for, will last for ages!

Warm water and a heavy-duty liquid detergent is all you need to clean it up, although a brush can be used to get into crevices. Rinse with clear water to remove all soap and dry in the sun or wipe down. If you want, you can apply a car wax and polish to help preserve the paint and make them look like new again. And don't forget to wax the tabletop, too!

Wood

Redwood is naturally resistant to weathering. A sealer will help to keep moisture out and retard cracking. A colored sealer can restore the "red" color. To clean before sealing, scrub with a mild detergent, rinse and dry completely. To clean after sealing, wash with a soapy rag followed by a clean rag.

Finished white wood needs to be sealed completely and coated with varnish. It should not be left out in the rain. To clean, wipe with a damp cloth.

Unfinished white wood should be treated using a stain with a wood preservative and a mildew inhibitor. Soaking the legs (4-6 inches) that will be in grassy or dirt areas with wood preservative will ensure that they last longer. Wash with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.

Canvas

Mostly canvas is tightly knit and will shed water. However it will rot after prolonged exposure to weather. To prevent this, store indoors during rainy or winter weather. To clean, leave on frame. Scrub with a stiff brush and mild detergent. Rinse and dry.

Wicker

Believe it or not, I could not find cleaning instruction on wicker, rattan or bamboo. None of these are recommended for regular outdoor use, although using them on covered patios where they are protected from direct sunlight and rain is often seen. More than any other furniture, these should be stored indoors, preferably in your home and not a storage area. Heat can dry these out, causing cracking and splitting. As far as cleaning them, I can only tell you how I do it. Rinse quickly with the hose and leave in the sun to dry. I try to use a high-pressure setting to remove dust and dirt. But don't use too much water or they will absorb it.

So there you go, all the cleaning tips you should need to care for your outdoor furniture. And which kind am I getting? Why, the pretty ones, of course! I'll just get my husband to clean it!

Brenda Spagnola-Wilson is a moderator and community leader at www.BabyUniversity.com and lives in Texas with her husband and two children. She enjoys writing about a variety of topics, with her main focuses being home improvement & decorating, saving money, being a SAHM and general home care. Currently she is the Co-Editor of the At Home with Baby University Newsletter. Feel free to contact her at bspagnola@ev1.net with any comments.

About the Author

Brenda Spagnola-Wilson is a SAHM who lives in Texas with her husband and two children. A published freelance writer, her topics most often focus on home improvement & decorating, living a frugal lifestyle, being a SAHM, general home care and day-to-day life. Currently she is a moderator and community leader at www.BabyUniversity.com and the Co-Editor of the At Home with Baby University Newsletter. Feel free to contact her at bspagnola@ev1.net with any comments, questions or suggestions.

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