Essential Tools For Maintaining Your Outdoor Furniture

While you may be eager to set up your outdoor furniture for the season, it is essential that the items look and perform at their peak performance. With the correct tools, you can keep your garden looking as pristine as new all year round.

When cleaning outdoor furniture, it’s essential to adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions and care guidelines. Proper upkeep of your patio furniture can extend its life expectancy and save you money in the long run.

1. Vacuum

The sun, wind, rain and other outdoor elements can do damage to your patio furniture. Regular cleaning is key in order to prevent rust, peeling or cracking that would require costly replacement.

Outdoor furniture comes in many varieties and each requires its own type of maintenance. Teak, for instance, is an incredibly beautiful and durable wood that’s naturally resistant to weathering and water damage. To keep it looking its best, be sure to wipe down surfaces and cushions after using them to remove dirt and spills.

Vacuum your home every few weeks to eliminate dust particles that could trigger allergies, asthma or rhinitis.

Another essential step is vacuuming upholstery on sofas and lounge chairs regularly. Doing this helps prevent mold and mildew from growing, which could aggravate allergy or asthma symptoms.

Vacuuming outdoors can remove up to 99 percent of dust and other allergens from your space, so it’s essential to do this regularly. Vacuuming also helps reduce pet dander – which is often responsible for hay fever or asthma flare-ups – by up to 100 percent.

Many homeowners neglect vacuuming the interior of their home, even though it’s an essential step in creating a healthy atmosphere. Vacuuming windows, doorways and computer keyboards is an effective way to ensure they’re free from allergens.

If you live in a humid climate, be aware that wicker furniture can quickly become home to mold and mildew if not cleaned regularly. According to Better Homes & Gardens, it is best to clean wicker pieces with a gentle cleaner four times annually. This involves gently scrubbing them with a soft-bristled brush in order to get into hard-to-reach places.

2. Soap

No matter the material of your outdoor furniture – wrought iron, wood or plastic – soap is an indispensable tool for keeping it looking like new and preventing mildew buildup and other stains. Not only does this keep the surface of the item spotless, but it also eliminates bacteria that could otherwise clog up its pores.

Soap is a type of detergent created through the reaction between water-insoluble fatty acids and an organic base or alkali metal. While some soaps are primarily composed of these materials, others contain synthetic detergents which may be hazardous for your skin as well as the environment.

Additionally, soapy water breaks down the surface tension of water – essential for aquatic insects to survive. That is why you often see signs cautioning people not to pour soapy water into lakes, rivers or ponds.

Therefore, it’s essential to select a natural soap with no harsh ingredients that could be hazardous for yourself and the environment. Soaps made from pure, untreated vegetable oils are ideal.

If you want to clean your outdoor wicker furniture without using chemicals, simply wipe it down with a sponge and warm water. Alternatively, you could use commercial cleaner or soap that has been specifically designed for wicker.

Maintaining your outdoor wicker furniture requires a steady supply of pH-neutral soap in your pantry. You may even want to invest in some lint-free towels and rags for extra cleaning power.

Another advantage of natural soaps is that they’re non-toxic and leave behind no hazardous residue, unlike many commercially available products. This makes them the safest option for you and your family; plus, using them helps avoid chemicals which could irritate skin or disrupt hormone balance.

3. Water

Rain, snow, sleet, sun and other weather elements can wreak havoc on outdoor furniture if not taken care of. To prevent damage during storage during winter months, it’s wise to cover all furniture when not in use.

Keep a garden hose with spray attachment handy to quickly eliminate loose debris from furniture before it becomes rusted, stained or yellowed. Water stains can be eliminated from most types of outdoor wood and fabric by using a mild soap solution (one part dishwashing liquid to one gallon of water).

Another essential part of maintenance is regularly wiping down all pieces. This can be as easy as using a damp cloth or sponge. For more stubborn stains, use an all-purpose cleaner suitable for most materials.

Metals such as wrought iron and stainless steel require minimal upkeep; simply wash them with a mild detergent solution. However, if your outdoor furniture has rust spots or discolorations, use a paintbrush to apply touch-up paint over the affected areas to restore its shine and aesthetic.

Teak, acacia and pine are naturally resistant to mildew due to their natural oil production and low porosity. As such, these woods make excellent outdoor furniture due to their inherent durability and longevity.

Some people prefer to keep their outdoor furniture under cover, but this may not always be feasible. When the weather turns bad, it’s advisable to move all your outdoor items indoors – under a tarp or into a shed for secure storage.

4. Wood Polish

Wood furniture requires regular upkeep to keep it looking pristine, especially outdoor furniture which is subjected to harsh weather conditions and moisture. To preserve the shine and protect the wood, apply wood polish.

Wood polish comes in many varieties, such as linseed or tung oil, shellac, lacquer and water-based formulas. These sealants protect wood surfaces from stains and abrasions and are easy to apply.

Your choice of wood polish comes down to both your budget and desired aesthetic. If all you’re after is a glossy, clean finish, opt for an oil-based product like this:

Oil-based polishes use a mixture of mineral oil and solvents, creating an even thin film that highlights wood grain. Unfortunately, it attracts dirt quickly so a thorough clean may be necessary after application. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to sunlight may lead to harmful fumes – so protect your eyes while using this product!

If you’re after a more penetrating finish, wax-based wood polishes can be used. These products come from natural plant and animal sources in paste or liquid forms.

Waxes come in a range of consistency from creamy to paste and produce a dust-repellent, high-gloss sheen. They can be used on wood with both lacquer finishes or unfinished wood for improved aesthetic appeal.

Another option for maintaining outdoor furniture is to make your own wood polish using readily-available grocery items. Vinegar removes stains and grease from wood, while lemon adds a refreshing smell and natural shine to the surface.

5. Sunscreen

Outdoor furniture can fade in the sunlight, so it’s essential to use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on all types of seating – including recliners and loungers. You may also purchase outdoor furniture covers which shield your furnishings and keep them dry from external elements.

Chemical sunscreens work like sponges that absorb UV rays before they can damage your skin. Common active ingredients in chemical sunscreens include oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate.

Physical (mineral) sunscreens, on the other hand, sit on your skin and scatter UV rays before they can penetrate. Common ingredients in these creams are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

When selecting a sunscreen, look for one with a high SPF and is labeled as broad spectrum, according to Nada Baalbaki, senior manager of global scientific communication and clinical research at CeraVe. This ensures protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

If you’re seeking an eco-friendly option, Romanowski recommends choosing sunscreens without octocrylene and octisalate–chemicals which bleach coral reefs and harm organisms. Furthermore, steer clear of any chemical sunscreen containing benzene.

An alternative solution is to invest in outdoor furniture covers that fit your chairs and tables comfortably. These products can be found online through websites like Coverstore and Outer.

It’s essential to take into account the type of furniture you purchase when shopping, as different materials respond differently to rain and weather conditions. Fabric is more susceptible to fading and cracking while wood may discolor or rot over time. Fabrics and wooden furnishings can both be protected with a coating of paste wax which helps prevent them from fading or cracking.