Tips to maintain Outdoor Furniture
Before you know it, summer will be upon us and you will be spending more time outdoors. Now is the time to do any maintenance to make sure your outdoor furniture is protected against the elements - rain or sun!
Outdoor furniture needs to withstand a lot, especially if not placed under cover on an outdoor patio or deck. While the lifespan of outdoor furniture depends on the materials and quality of construction, there are steps you can take to ensure your furniture lasts a lot longer.
Care and Maintain Wood Furniture
When investing in wood outdoor furniture you should know that this type of furniture requires regular care and maintenance to keep it looking good. While keeping it under cover will provide a certain level of protection, most wood outdoor furniture still requires the application of an oil or sealer to ensure maximum protection from wind, rain and sun - particularly at coastal regions.
If left untreated, most timbers will start to fade and be prone to splintering. Softer woods will also be prone to rot caused by algae or moisture. Prevention is far better than cure, and a pre-spring treatment (or when the weather is cool and dry) you want to apply a suitable treatment to extend the life of wood furniture and keep it looking at it's best.
When buying wood outdoor furniture, ask for guidelines for the proper care and maintenance for that particular wood type. Most wood types require regular application of an oil or sealer. If you don't know or have older furniture, the Woodoc have a range of exterior sealers designed for all wood types with protection levels for both inland and coastal regions - in matt, satin and gloss finishes - clear or tinted.
Care and Maintain Wicker or Cane Furniture
Wicker, both genuine and synthetic, is a modern furniture option for a patio or garden, and retains it's good looks with regular care and maintenance.
Synthetic wicker - or all-weather wicker - is relatively easy to care for and a regular clean with mild detergent and a soft brush is all that's needed. After cleaning, rinse well and dry completely with a soft cloth. If furniture has been left uncleaned for a long time you may need to repeat this process, but avoid over-wetting the furniture and only use a soft brush. The same treatment applies to genuine wicker, again ensuring that the furniture is properly dried after cleaning.
For wicker furniture in poor condition, or to revamp wicker furniture, find information here to restore and revamp wicker furniture.
Care and Maintain Steel or Iron Furniture
Loved for its longevity and durability, steel or iron furniture must be powder-coated or suitably painted to protect it against the elements and prevent the occurrence of rust.
Where signs of rust appear on metal or steel furniture, immediate action is necessary to prevent further corrosion. We offer tips on restoring steel garden furniture. Perform an annual inspection of your iron or steel furniture to check for chips or cracks in the finish, as these will soon show signs of rust if not attended to. If you're unsure about the correct product to apply, pop in to your nearest Prominent Paint store. These guys can offer expert advice on the best products to treat rust, as well as a range of products for application on iron and steel furniture.
See more tips on restoring or painting iron or steel furniture
General Tips for Care and Maintenance
• Regularly brush or wipe outdoor furniture to prevent a build up of dust and grime.
• While it may not be possible to keep outdoor furniture under a covered patio - look at investing in patio covers for when outdoor furniture is not in use.
• Treat any signs of rust or rot immediately. The longer you leave these - the harder and more expensive it will be to attend to.
• After heavy rains or cleaning always wipe down outdoor furniture to prevent water from pooling.
