Whether you
have an aluminium patio set or some furniture in rattan direct from a quality manufacturer, knowing how to care for it all year
round is essential to keeping it looking its best.
If you have a
patio, decking or terrace outside your home, there's a good chance that you
have some garden furniture. Although it always looks great when you first buy
it, after a few years of being exposed to the elements, it can start to look
tired and worn.
Here are some
helpful tips to make sure your garden furnishings look great both in winter and
summer by caring for it properly and storing it appropriately.
Summer Garden Furniture Care
If you have
wooden or metal outdoor furniture, it's important to protect it from exposure
to bright sunlight and very warm temperatures. Although both materials look
great, keeping them dry and clean during the summer and protected from
excessive sunlight is vital. Although the majority of outdoor furniture items
have been specially designed to be weather-resistant, putting the cushions away
in a storage box when not being used will help to protect them from damage.
If your
outdoor cushions become wet – perhaps from sweat, rain or even if the children
decide to sit on them after playing in the paddling pool – it's important to
make sure that they have dried out thoroughly before storing them away to guard
against mildew and mould.
Also during
the summer months, you should make sure that twigs and leaves are brushed off
table tops and seats on a regular basis to prevent staining, and occasionally,
you should spray your furniture down with a hose and brush any grimy surfaces
clean.
Preparing For Winter Storage
To protect
outdoor furniture and ensure that it enjoys a long lifespan, it's important to
keep it under cover during the winter months when it is not being used. Some
outdoor furniture, for example if it is made from wicker, unprotected wood or
metal, should be kept in a garage or shed out of the inclement weather
conditions.
Other
furniture, such as rattan tables and chairs, are resistant to poor weather,
however to keep them looking their best and to preserve their lifespan, they
should still be covered with a proper furniture cover during the colder months
of the year. This will keep them safe from the wind, rain and snow and ensure
that they look just as good when spring comes back around again.
If you are
putting your outdoor furniture in a shed during the winter season, you should
ensure that you have repaired any damage and cleaned it thoroughly before you
store it away.
Caring For Metal Furniture
Metal chairs
and tables should be washed down with detergent and water, scrubbed with a
brush and then rinsed with a garden hose before storing away for the winter.
Inspect its surfaces for oxidation and rust, and treat any affected areas with
a primer which can neutralise rust before smoothing it with steel wool and then
spray on a paint in a colour which closely matches its finish. Finally, apply a
coat of protective car wax and then buff.
Caring For Wicker Items
If you have
wicker outdoor furnishings, you should brush them down with a solution of
bleach and water as this will remove any mould or mildew and then rinse off
with a fine water spray and allow to dry. If needed, you can then spray paint
it back to a clean finish and add a moisture repellent to the legs and feet.
Store on blocks in a shed so that its feet are off the ground.
Wooden Furnishings Care Plan
If you had
wooden furniture that is made from a material other than cedar or teak, you can
wash it with a bleach and water solution and then rinse and allow to thoroughly
dry. Restore its finish and then apply a water repellent and a coat of wax to
protect it.
If your
furniture is made of cedar or teak, apply a solution of bleach and allow to act
for a couple of days. Sand down the surfaces, apply China wood oil and then it
is fine to leave outdoors in all weathers.
Plastic Furniture Storage
Wash down
plastic items using soap and water and then rinse off. Plastic chairs and
tables should be stored in a dry place where the temperature will not go below
freezing.
If you follow
this advice, your furniture will look wonderful when the spring comes around.
Rattan Direct
is a specialist supplier of quality rattan furniture for both indoor and
outdoor spaces. Visit their website to discover their beautiful range.
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