Clever Care and Cleaning of Your Outdoor Furniture

As the colder weather closes in, you might not be planning to use your backyard as often as in the summer. There could still be time to fit in a few more BBQs, but you won't be able to enjoy the space forever. As you get it ready for fall and winter, make sure you turn your attention to your outdoor furniture. Even though it's designed to live outside, you still need to care for it if you want it to stay in good condition. There are several things you might need to do, depending on what your furniture is made of. It could need cleaning, varnishing, covering, or even putting away inside. Make sure you keep your outdoor furniture in good condition with these tips.

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Cleaning

How you tackle the job of cleaning your outdoor furniture will depend on the material. Some materials are more delicate, so you don't want to be too harsh with them. If you're washing metal furniture, or perhaps items made from resin, you can use a quality power washer. Power washers make it easier to tackle large items of furniture without having to scrub by hand. If you wash metal items with a pressure washer, keep it on a low setting. Remember that it's not suitable for some parts too, such as glass table tops. With wood and rattan furniture, it's better to tackle the cleaning with soapy water and a sponge. You may even wish to sand wooden items to get them really clean.

Protective Treatments

Protecting your outdoor furniture will help it to last longer. There are different things you can do depending on your furniture. If you have wooden items, you might want to use a wood preserver or other protective treatment. Before you get started, make sure the furniture is clean and that the weather is appropriate. Don't try to apply the treatment when it's too hot, cold or wet. You need to sand the surface lightly before you apply your first coat of the treatment. It's a good idea to do this every year for your wooden furniture. If you have metal furniture, you may need to prevent rust. Steel items can rust, but you can apply a treatment to help stop it. Painting will help to keep rust away, and you can polish metal furniture with wax.

Refreshing Your Furniture

Sometimes you might need to perk up your outdoor furniture. Even if you've been caring for it, it can go downhill and look a little worse for wear. If you want to refresh your wooden furniture, you might choose to apply a stained oil after sanding it down. Another option is to apply a coat of paint or two. You could choose any color you want if you want to do something more interesting. Paint can help to protect your furniture too. Painting is also an option for metal furniture for both protecting it and giving it a new look.

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Covering Up

Covering your outdoor furniture is a good idea if you want to make it more weatherproof. Some materials, such as rattan and resin, and already very resistant to the weather. However, anything from the sun to snow and rain could affect the look of your furniture. A simple protective cover can offer shelter from the sun and rain. You can get them large enough to stretch over dining sets or designed to fit snuggly on parasols. They're ideal for covering up any furniture with cushions, such as sofas and armchairs. Just make sure you tie the covers down so that the wind doesn't remove them. It's a good idea to make sure they have good ventilation too. Otherwise, condensation could gather underneath the cover.

When to Store Outdoor Furniture

Sometimes it's best to put your outdoor furniture away, rather than leave it outside all year. It could depend on the material; for example, you might want to store aluminum furniture during the winter. However, on other occasions, you will need to consider the weather in your area. If you're expecting storms or hurricanes, leaving your furniture outside might not be the smartest idea. You also might just find it easier to store your furniture, instead of applying protective treatments or anything else. You can use your garage, basement, shed or any other spare space. However, make sure that the furniture is well-protected during storage too.

Keep your outdoor furniture looking fantastic and in great condition with regular maintenance. It will last longer if you take time to look after it.