Outdoor Furniture Care Guide | ewmoda
 

Outdoor Furniture Care Guide

Your outdoor furniture needs some TLC too!

Posted on

30 October 2016

Posted by

Editor

outdoor furniture care and maintenance

Lazy Friday afternoons wouldn’t quite be the same without your favourite patio chair to stretch out on with a good book and a refreshing lemonade at hand. Unfortunately, outdoor furniture is far more vulnerable than their indoor counterparts due to their constant exposure to the elements. As a result, they require a considerable amount of care and attention to keep them in tiptop condition. Here are some easy to follow tips to help you care for your outdoor furniture:

Be gentle

Before resorting to harsh scrubs and solutions, get rid of dust by sweeping with a soft broom or cloth. When it comes to rinsing, use sponge soaked in water or a gentle cleanser, such as a quarter cup of dish-washing soap mixed with a gallon of warm water. After this, pat dry with a lint-free cloth. If you absolutely must attempt stronger treatment, apply it first on a small hidden patch to test it.

Get rid of mold

Mould is not just an eyesore but also a breeding ground for microbes. Always wear gloves when handling mould and avoid re-using the cleaning supplies on other furniture. This is to prevent the inadvertent spread of spores. Remove the mold by gently scrubbing or sanding it away.

Furniture care

Preserve your furniture by moving them indoors when not in use, especially during bad weather. If this is too inconvenient, simply use a furniture cover. Since furniture is made out of a variety of materials with different sets of functions, there’s no single method that works when it comes to maintenance.

- Wicker can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment or a dry paintbrush. When using soap, avoid diluting in too much as water as this can be detrimental to the fibres. It is essential that you clean your wicker furniture regularly to prevent mildew as the material may not survive abrasive treatments. However, a light sanding is acceptable, and may be necessary once the paint starts to peel.

- Wood furniture can be cleaned by using a soft-bristle brush dipped in an oxygen bleach solution. Once again, sandpaper can be used to eliminate tougher stains or to restore the wood to its original colour. An alternative to sandpaper is wood bleach or brightener, which should also be applied with a soft brush and rinsed after use. Further damage can be prevented by sealing the wood with a coat of water-repellent preservative.

- Metal rust can be removed with the help of sandpaper, and maintained by applying paint. Follow this up with a coat of auto-wax using a lint-free cloth. Keep the joints creak-free and free moving using silicone spray.

- Fabrics should be regularly dusted and laundered in a washing machine using cold water and mild soap. Mould can be removed from solution-dyed fabrics by brushing the area with two tablespoons of oxygen bleach mixed with a gallon of warm water. Prevent staining by immediately wiping spills with a wet soapy cloth.