Four Essential Steps to Care for Outdoor Furniture

Four Essential Outdoor Furniture Care and Maintenance Tips

Extending the life of your outdoor furniture means enjoying your patio and your investment for years to come.  Extending the life of your furniture reduces waste by keeping durable materials out of landfills. But even the sturdiest furniture needs some TLC to stand up to the elements.

Here's your guide to keeping your outdoor furniture looking its best:

1. Shield Your Furniture with Covers

Protective covers are an easy yet powerful defense against the elements. Purchase covers specifically designed for your furniture as soon as possible.  Ensure that your covers are breathable and waterproof.   Protective covers will shield your furniture from rain, storms, and unwanted debris like pollen, bird droppings and leaves.

Covers not only extend the life of your furniture but make using your furniture more enjoyable as it will always be clean, dry and ready for unexpected guests.

Pro Tip: A coordinating storage box provides easy and quick storage for your covers and other essential items.  

2. Don't Let Water and Dirt Linger

While you can't control the weather, you can manage how your furniture handles it. Teak, Aluminum, HDPE plastic, and Synthetic Wicker are mold and mildew resistant and water-resistant, but regular cleaning and drying will maximize their lifespan.

Here's what to do after a downpour:

• Let your furniture air dry completely before covering. Trapped moisture can foster mold and mildew growth (read more below about preventing mold and mildew)
• Stand cushions upright with zippers down and slighlty open to allow any trapped water to drain.

3. Clean Smart with an All-Surface Cleaner

Skip the home remedies and invest in a multi-purpose cleaner designed for outdoor furniture. This will ensure safe and effective cleaning across various materials.

Cleaning Steps:

1. Gently spray the cleaner onto a soft cloth or directly on your furniture. 
2. Wipe down the furniture thoroughly.
3. For tougher spots, use a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt buildup.
4. Rinse well 
5. Allow to dry
   
   *Pressure washing some furniture and fabrics is ok.  The user must be very careful not to get too close and damage their furniture!

4. Material-Specific Care for Lasting Beauty

Different furniture materials have specific needs. Here's a quick guide for some popular options:

• Teak: Teak naturally contains oils, but occasional teak oil application enhances its luster and delays the natural patine process. 
• Synthetic Wicker: Clean wicker with a damp cloth and mild soap solution.  We recommend Dawn and water.   Address stubborn dirt with a soft brush.  
• Aluminum & HDPE (Plastic): A clear, spray on, car wax is an easy application to protect your furniture from the sun's harsh UV rays.  Make sure to follow the application instructions on the product.  If you have missed a year or two it can also bring life and shine back to your furniture. 

By following these simple tips, you can ensure your outdoor furniture remains a beautiful and functional part of your patio for years to come.

ADDRESSING MOLD AND MILDEW

Most high quality outdoor furniture and even fabrics are made from synthetic materials such as HDPE or Acrylic.  These materials cannot grow mold and mildew.  If you see mold and mildew on your furniture, it is simply growing on the dirt that is either on the surface or trapped between the fibers of your outdoor fabrics.  A 1-part bleach, to 4-part water solution* will kill any mold or mildew on your furniture.  It can then be simply rinsed away with a decent amount of water pressure.  

*Ensure that your fabrics and furniture can be cleaned with bleach by checking with your specialty retailer where you purchased your furniture.