Furniture Care and Maintenance – Outdoor

Cedar Looks Camel Back Chair by Rustic Cedar

Plan on venturing out onto the deck or patio to enjoy the summer anytime soon? If you’ve properly maintained your outdoor furniture, feel free to enjoy.

If not, you might be in for a little bit of work before you can relax. Or maybe you’ve just invested in some pricey pieces and are interested in making it last as long as possible.

Regardless of your situation, here are some surefire tips that will keep your outdoor furniture at its best.

Generally speaking, it’s always a good idea to store patio furniture indoors (or out of direct sunlight) when not in use for an extended period of time. After heavy rains, make sure there is no water puddled on your furniture or that it isn’t sitting in standing water. This could easily lead to rot or rust. Also, try to avoid contact with wet soil for long periods.

Outdoor furniture constructed with aluminum may require regular reapplication of finishes to maintain its appearance and durability over time.

Here’s some good news for those who invested in teak outdoor furniture: if properly maintained, it can last for more than 50 years.

To clean your wooden outdoor furniture, which should be done once a season, mix one tablespoon of bleach and five tablespoons of gentle dish-washing soap with a gallon of water.

Gently go over the furniture with a soft-bristled brush and wash off furniture. It’s generally a good idea to re-stain it at this point as well.

Your love for relaxing under the sun probably isn’t going away any time soon. Be sure your outdoor furniture lasts just as long.