When it comes to wear and tear, outdoor furniture gets the most of it. Let’s face it, furniture isn’t really meant to live outdoors but we do it anyway. The best thing we can do is try to make the furniture last as long as possible by taking proper care of it.
There are many things we decorate our gardens with such as chairs, tables, umbrellas, patio beds and more. The sun and harsh weather conditions will have a huge effect on the condition of your garden furniture, which is unfortunate because garden furniture is not cheap.
Rather than getting new furniture sets every year because of mold or bleached out fabric, learn important tips for keeping garden furniture looking as good as the day you brought it home:
Taking Care of Cushions
Most patio furniture has cushions to add comfort and décor, with most outdoor fabrics being durable. But there is nothing stopping the force of nature wearing out the materials.
Outdoor dirt and grime can dull just about anything, even the most durable fabrics. You will notice that patio cushions either get moldy, darken in color from dirt, or their original color severely fades. This can happen very quickly if the cushions are not cared for properly.
You can first start off by dusting off the surface of the cushions with a damp sponge that has a drop of detergent on it. Once you are finished, rinse the cushion with water thoroughly to ensure there is no more soap and allow the cushion to air dry. After the first time, you will notice your cushions will be as bright as the first day you bought them. Repeat this every few weeks to ensure they stay nice, making them last as long as possible.
Wicker Maintenance
Wicker is another popular item for outdoor furniture. It makes a perfect and affordable material for tables and chairs. However, the sun can be quite harmful to wicker over time causing it to dry out and split.
Mist your wicker furniture with a garden hose about twice a year to let the wicker “drink” the moisture. If you do this too often it may cause the glue joints to weaken. Another important maintenance tip is to wipe down the wicker furniture with a damp cloth every few weeks and scrub off any grime with a bristle brush if needed.
Weather Preparation
You can perform routine maintenance on your garden furniture all you want, but that won’t do any good if you aren’t protecting it from the weather. Always strive to be one step ahead of the weather by tuning into your local forecasts. If there are any chances of rain, take precaution and remove any furniture that is outside without shelter, and move it inside or under a covered area.
During the winter, it is always a good idea to move everything into a storage unit or shed, and even covering it with blankets helps keep away dust and grime from the building. Keeping your furniture away from the weather will increase the longevity and ensure it is always looking as good as new.
Re-do Protective Coatings
If some of your patio furniture (that specifically has wicker or plastic structures) has protective coatings, you need to routinely check the coatings for any peeling or cracking. Whenever you find a spot where the coating is not sticking any longer it is time to re-coat the furniture with a new protective coating.
Give it a Proper Washing
Many pieces of outdoor furniture experience the grimy buildup of dirt, mold, or moss over time. This will not only make your furniture look ugly, but it will ruin the investment you’ve made into your furniture faster than you can imagine.
One of the best ways to deal with this is to invest into a power washing unit. A versatile tool to have in your shed, pressure washers can help revive many surfaces on your property, not just your outdoor furniture. It is always best to inform yourself on what the best power washer is for maintenance around your home, so check the website directpowerdeals.com when you’re considering one of these machines.