Mother nature can be cruel to outdoor furniture, especially in the warm summer months. Not only does the sun age and fade any wood, wicker and the cushions, but the wind and rain have damaging and lasting effects. Winter will also take a toll so storing it properly is essential. Since you’ll want to enjoy your outdoor furniture for many years to come, here is a guide to protecting it from the elements.
Protect from Summer Elements
Before you can properly prevent the heat and sun from damaging your outdoor furniture, you’ll want to make sure it’s clean. Just about all types can be cleaned with mild soap, water, and a sponge. Maintaining its appearance is the first step in preventative care.
· Remove all of the cushions from the frame
· Using the sponge, wipe down the frame with soapy water
· If wood furniture, you may want to use a scrub brush instead of a sponge
· Rinse frame with water (a hose will be fastest)
· Allow the frame to dry completely before putting the cushions or upholstery back on
· Apply a furniture protector (can be purchased in a home improvement store)
While the furniture protector is drying, start cleaning the upholstery and cushions. They can also be cleaned with a sponge and mild soapy water, and then rinse them with clean water. Make sure to let the cushions and upholstery air dry completely before using or storing them in order to prevent mildew. To prevent the cushions from fading or discoloring from being exposed to the sun, apply a fabric protector at the beginning of the season.
Another way to protect and prolong the life of your outdoor furniture is to use waterproof covers when not in use.
Protect from Winter Elements
While it may be tempting to leave your patio furniture out all year round, if you live in a climate that experiences cold weather, you’ll need to store it for the season. We recommend investing in quality waterproof covers and storing in a dry location such as a shed or garage.
If storing in a dry location isn’t possible, at least remove the cushions and put indoors, then make sure as much of the frame is covered as possible.
Additional Preventative Care and Maintenance Tips for Outdoor Wood Furniture
· Try to avoid using natural oils as this will lead to mildew fungi which speeds up the deterioration process
· If possible, avoid placing wood furniture directly on the grass because the moisture from the ground may promote early decay of the wood over time.
· Avoid using water repellents because particles in the air tend to stick to the surface, causing the need to be cleaned more often.
Once you’ve taken the time to choose the perfect outdoor furniture for your porch, patio, or deck, you want to be able to enjoy it for as long as possible. Protecting it from the effects of mother nature is the best way to ensure that!
Take a look at Outdoor Furniture Comforts variety of seating and table options to make your outdoor porch, patio, deck, or yard the perfect gathering spot. Don’t forget the accessories and once you’ve created your outdoor retreat, take a picture and share it on our Facebook Page wall!
Other articles you may be interested in:
Prepare Your Home For Sale
Home Maintenance Articles
Green Living Articles
Other Home Staging, Decorating, and Redesign Articles
Contact Lori Dickert for any and all of your home decor questions, as I am always happy to help! You can also connect with me on my Home Staging & Redesign Facebook Page for daily tips about home ownership, home maintenance, decorating, preparing a home for sale, and much more!
This blog post was written for www.OutdoorFurnitureComforts.com.
Other Client Blogs – get a taste of how I could blog for you and your business!
Hi there thanks for your helpful guidelines for protecting outdoor furniture form summer and winter season. I am really very much tensed for my outdoor furniture which I have purchased from a white furniture store. They provided me some instruction on how to protect the furniture form different seasonal harms. Would you please tell me which furniture protector is truly helpful. In summer my sweet outdoor furniture will loose it’s new looking form burning in the sun. You told to avoid the placement of the furniture directly on the grass but alas my furniture is directly on the grass. I will surely replace it from there. Thanks again for your guidelines which honestly I have found helpful.