If I had to choose between clothes and furniture, I’d choose furniture. – Julianne Moore. 

If you have an outdoor area, you’d be wasting your life not making the most out of it. Either you have grand estates or a small cottage, you need an outdoor space for parties, dinners, and hangouts. It’s super important to utilize your outdoor space to the fullest and make the best sitting place with the best furniture that you can find. Decorating your place is not the only thing, maintaining it and keeping it clean is also important for increasing the lifespan and appearance of your outdoor furniture. Some of the targeted and important pointers that you can follow are as follows: 

Check my article on “How to Buy Outdoor Furniture That Lasts” to know tips and ideas to buy outdoor furniture.

Some basic pointers to get you started

●        For starters, read out the manufacturer’s instructions about the specific piece and how to take care of it. Follow the instructions carefully because what is a better guidance source than the manufacturer himself? 

●        The day-to-day cleaning is a must, and it goes without saying. Get the dusting cloth, put on your favorite song, and let’s get dusting. Dust away all the apparent dirt before getting into further detail. 

●        Start the cleaning process from the very gentle and mild cleaning agent and then work your way up to the harsh cleaners if the stains do not get cleaned.

●        Always keep your furniture in your mind either indoor or outdoor while going on an adventure and spending some days away from home. Cover all your furniture with plastic sheets to avoid water and dust in the surrounding.

●        Always use gentle, cotton, or wool cloth for cleaning. Apply the cleaning agent on some other rough surface to check the effectiveness and harshness before applying it to the main item of furniture. It is important because valuable furniture items can cost up to thousands of dollars so it’s good to not risk anything. 

●        Tap, smack and flip each piece to check and inspect for any damage inflicted by any accident and take care of it right away before it gets worse. 

●        Keeping furniture outdoors is kind of difficult and you would have to continuously check for any insect infestation and bird droppings and get rid of them as soon as possible. 

●        Furniture is kept in place with nuts, bolts, and screws and it is important to check for their fixtures. It is also necessary to make sure they are not corroded or brittle. 

●        If you have a sturdy piece of furniture in the storage, don’t throw it out, paint over it, check it for corrosion, and put it outdoors. Buying new furniture is getting more and more expensive. 

●        It’s good to invest in good cleaning products. Using cheap cleaning products on expensive furniture is straight-up an injustice with the furniture. 

●        Raid out yard sales to find a decent piece lying around, a couple of tweaks and you can get yourself a new addition to your outdoors. 

 Some common types of furniture material and their maintenance

Teak furniture

Teak belongs to a hardwood species of trees. It has clustered white flowers and the wood smells like leather. It has essential oils and resists many natural diseases that other wood items are susceptible to. It is a very common choice for outdoor furniture. However, teak is an expensive option in comparison to other wooden furniture because of the natural benefits, but it is worth the price because it is a very easy maintenance material. 

Taking care of teak furniture

Teak produces natural oils which prevent it from drying out, it produces resins that repel insects. Teak wood is already self-sufficient and needs no extra maintenance. You just need to dust it off and use mild soap in ¼ concentration with water to clean it. If you are scrubbing the surface, be careful not to tear the soft grains of the furniture’s surface. A weathered surface can trap dust. This deep cleaning can be done after every 2 months interval. The basic dust off is enough for daily use.  

Metal furniture

Metal is durable and strong, there is no doubt about it. It can withstand high winds and mechanical pressure. A popular choice for outdoor furniture. Among its types, Aluminum is the only metal that is immune to rust, and damage caused by the weather.  

Cleaning metal furniture

Start the cleaning and dusting off with dishwashing detergent mixed with water and a sponge. You can also use a lint-free rag in place of sponges. For cleaning out the rust, use liquid rust cleaners. Paint it over the rusted area after cleaning. You can also paint over your metal furniture regardless of rust to change the color, appearance, refresh the scenario, and also prevent rust in the long run. Metal coated with a thick layer of paint doesn’t have any problem with water cleaning. 

Wicker furniture

Wicker is a name of a technique that is used to make woven furniture from any soft, flexible and easy to bend plant like bamboo, rattan, and split reed. It is woven delicately in different patterns to make light yet sturdy items that are easy to move around inside and out, and it is super flexible. A very reasonable option for outdoor furniture.

Cleaning wicker furniture

Cleaning depends on the origin of the furniture. There is synthetic wicker made of reinforced plastic and metal and there is natural wicker. Natural wicker is easier to clean and can be done with mild detergents. Synthetic wicker needs a more detailed cleaning. In the case of wicker, no matter the origin, use a brush with bristles to clean the woven structure. Further, use a toothbrush to reach into corners and curves. Water cleaning is not suggested as it is the fibers that are woven, these fibers can get weak with water exposure over time. Use mist or spray of water mixed with cleaning detergent for this material. 

Wooden furniture in general

Wood is a common and preferable choice for furniture indoor and outdoor because it has a natural appeal and the brown color blends with all kinds of surrounding areas. Wood is both sensitive and strong. It is natural so it can mix and keep up with natural conditions. But it is sensitive to excessive chemical use and too much water exposure. 

Taking care of wood furniture

Wooden furniture with varnish on can withstand mild detergent and water cleaning. Powdered oxygen bleach can also be useful while cleaning your wood furniture. This kind of bleach is nontoxic, so it is safe. Make a mixture of bleach with water starting with a minimum of amounts. You can also apply sealant which is totally up to you. Because wood works fine without the sealant as long as it is polished regularly. The sealant needs to be renewed after every 2 years. So, it can either be an added expense for some or a necessity for others. Users can also use wood bleach to get rid of the fur that comes on the surface of the wood. It will brighten the color and improve the appearance of the furniture but be very careful while using it and start with small amounts. You can use sandpaper to remove tough stains that won’t go away with detergent and water. Dry the furniture quickly as it can weaken the structural integrity by seeping inside. Clean the wood using water during sunlight so it can dry quickly. 

Plastic and upholstered furniture

Plastic is made synthetically in the factories and is a replacement for wood and metal. It is a cheap option and can be modified to withstand the weather extremities. It is light in weight and easy to move in and out. It is water-resistant and heat resistant however excessive heat can damage the plastic and make it brittle. Upholstered furniture has a lot of cushions and foams and cotton in them, and the material is enclosed and covered in leather or other fabric. Both materials are a super decent choice for outdoor furniture. 

Taking care of Plastic and upholstered furniture

Plastic like PVC, Polyethylene, and acrylic are washed off with soap and water. Simple as that. You can also use a pressured water stream from a hose to clean the dirt and stain. Plastic is however prone to fading out in color with prolonged exposure to sunlight. To fight discoloration, use protectant spray to protect it from UV rays. For cleaning upholstery and cushions use fabric protecting spray that not only makes the furniture water-resistant but also protects from the sun. It will also protect the fibers from dirt particles adhering to the fabric of the furniture. And yes, do not forget the occasional dusting of the items. 

To know more about caring garden accessories check this article Keeping your garden accessories safe and last for a long time.

Experts’ Advice

Decorating your home is important but taking care of the decor is more important. It would help you pass down the items you so dearly purchased and took care of, to your generations. So, sort out the material and take care of it according to the above-mentioned manual. Follow the super simple steps and get yourself long-lasting and strong outdoor furniture. Happy Cleaning!