When you purchase new patio furniture, you should think of it as more of an investment. While quality patio furniture
can be more expensive, with proper care it will last for years and retain its beautiful appearance. Following are simple
things you can do to care for and clean the most common types of patio furniture and accessories.
Caring for Aluminum Patio Furniture
Cleaning Teak Wood Patio Furniture
Caring for Teak Wood Patio Furniture
Wicker Patio Furniture
Cleaning Wicker Patio Furniture
Caring for Wicker Patio Furniture
Caring for Wrought Iron Patio Furniture
Caring for Aluminum Patio Furniture
No matter what type of
aluminum patio furniture you choose, there are a few steps for basic care that will help it last for as long as possible.
While aluminum patio furniture will not rust, it is highly susceptible to staining and pitting from outside elements.
Here are some simple steps to maintaining your aluminum patio tables, chairs and gliders.
- Keep it clean –
If you notice any discoloration or staining on your aluminum patio set, wash it using mild detergent and warm
water. For more ground in dirt, you can also add a mild household acid to the mixture, such as lemon juice or lime juice,
you should avoid using chemicals such as ammonia or baking soda. There are also a variety of commercial cleaners available to
clean aluminum furniture that has become extremely dirty, but these cleaners should be avoided if you have
anodized aluminum furniture. - Remove stains and pitting –
While aluminum furniture will not rust, it is highly susceptible to pitting from the elements and staining from
the stainless steel bolts that are used to keep it held securely together. To remove these pits and stains, use some steel wool
filled with soap and water. - Wax your furniture –
Applying a light coat of spray auto wax can help protect your aluminum outdoor furniture from pitting and
corrosion due to rain and sun. - Keep it covered –
While aluminum furniture is well-known for its durability against outdoor elements, keeping it covered during
winter months will give the added protection to help it last for many years.
Whether you use a water-based teak wood protector or allow your teak wood furniture to age gracefully, regular periodic
cleaning is recommended to remove any dirt that may have built up over time. To clean your teak wood furniture, you
can purchase teak wood cleaner form your local hardware store or simply create a 75/25 mixture of strong detergent
and water. Use a stiff-bristled scrub brush to clean areas with ground in dirt. After you have wiped down your teak
furniture, thoroughly rinse away any soap residue using a garden hose.
Even though teak wood is known for its durability against moisture and resists warping and,swelling and wood rot, it
is not advisable to let your
teak patio bench or
teak lounge chair sit on wet ground for long periods of time. It is also advisable to remove puddled water from
your teak patio furniture as soon as possible.
Because of teak’s natural oils, painting and staining teak furniture can be difficult. In fact, most manufacturers
recommend not painting or staining because if you choose to return your teak furniture to its natural beauty it can
require many hours of sanding. If you do wish to stain or paint your teak wood, you should use only paints and stains
recommended for teak use.
While the process can be difficult, there are products that can restore teak wood furniture to its original coloring.
Once your teak wood has been restored to the original brown, you will need to apply a water-based teak
protector in order to maintain the color.
Lightweight, durable and simple to clean; it’s easy to see why wicker furniture has been popular for so many years.
Along with it’s usefulness, wicker furniture has the ability to add an elegant and classy appearance to any setting,
whether indoors or outdoors on your patio. As with any
patio furniture set, however, it is important to car for and clean wicker furniture properly to help ensure it
retains its appearance for as long as possible.
Wicker Furniture requires regular cleaning to help keep it looking as good as new, especially if you keep your
wicker chairs and wicker patio sets outdoors most of the time. Cleaning your
wicker patio furniture
is very inexpensive, however, and does not require a large amount of your time.
-
Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment or a soft bristled paint brush to regularly dust your wicker furniture.
Vacuuming or dusting will remove loose dirt particles that over time can cause buildup that may be more difficult to remove. -
Use a damp sponge or washcloth with a mild detergent to clean areas that have caked on dirt. For hard to reach crevices, use a
soft-bristled tooth brush. Make sure the sponge or toothbrush is not soaking wet and lightly rub a small area of the
wicker furniture at a time. Then use a clean, damp sponge to wipe away any excess soap suds. -
For periodic cleaning of ground in dirt, use a soft sponge and detergent and scrub the area. Rinse your wicker
furniture with a garden hose and leave out in the sun to dry. Wicker Furniture should be dried as
quickly as possible to avoid damage. (Do not soak wicker furniture that has been painted or that has wooden
parts as they water may damage the paint and wood.
Proper care of your wicker furniture will help ensure it retains its form and look for as long as possible.
While wicker furniture is not easily destroyed by the elements, excess humidity, rain, snow and direct sunlight can
cause damage over time. You can protect your wicker investment, however by utilizing some simple wicker care
suggestions:
-
If you live in a dry environment, wipe your >wicker furniture with a damp cloth to keep the wicker from cracking
when stress is applied, such as from sitting on a
wicker chair. -
Never use wet wicker. If your wicker furniture has been left out in the rain or was recently washed as
described above, wait until the wicker is completely dry before use. If you allow wicker to dry naturally, this may take several
days or you can speed up the process by using a hair dryer. -
Keep painted wicker looking like new with a fresh coat of paint. If you use spray paint to paint your wicker
furniture, make sure you perform the procedure in a ventilated area, preferably outdoors. -
To help your wicker furniture retain its glossy finish you can apply a thin coat of liquid furniture wax after
the paint is completely dry. Once your wicker has been sealed and waxed properly, you may be able to keep it clean through
without having to soak the furniture. -
Move your wicker indoors during inclement weather and when not in use for a long period of time. Sun, heat and rain can damage
your wicker patio furniture over time, so you should keep it protected when possible. If you cannot move
your wicker furniture indoors, invest in furniture covers or cover it in plastic and move your wicker to a
safe area.
Proper Care of Wrought Iron Furniture
Like all other types of patio furniture, however, if you don’t properly care for your
wrought iron dining table or bar set, it will rust over time. Fortunately, keeping your wrought iron patio set in top
condition requires only minor maintenance.
- Proper Cleaning –
Whether it’s a
wrought iron dining set or serving cart, all wrought iron furniture will need to be cleaned from time to
time. Unlike wicker patio furniture, cleaning wrought iron only requires you to wash it with mild soap and water and
then allow to air dry. - Apply Wax –
Once or twice a year it would be wise to apply an automotive spray wax to your wrought iron patio set.
Applying wax will give your wrought iron some added protection against the elements. - Remove Grease Spots –
It is important to remove any grease spots left from suntan lotions or bug sprays as soon as possible. While most finishes on
wrought iron patio furniture are resistant to these greases, if they are left to long they could cause the
wrought iron’s finish to become discolored. - Keep it Covered –
Consider using plastic furniture covers
or placing your wrought iron patio furniture indoors during the winter months. While this is not a necessity
because of wrought iron’s durability, it may still help extend the life of your outdoor furniture
set. - Rust Removal and Painting –
Over time, your wrought iron furniture will more than likely be scratched or chipped due to normal wear and
tear. If your wrought iron patio furniture does experience mild rusting, you should wash the rusted area
with soap and water, allow it to dry, remove the rust with a medium sandpaper and then reapply some touch-up paint.
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