Protect Outdoor Furniture
During the warmer spring and summer months, many people will spend their time outside in their backyards, on their porches, and by their pools. Outdoor furniture can be an appearance-enhancing and practical addition, but some people are hesitant to invest in such options. For the most part, outdoor furniture tends to be expensive and--unlike indoor furniture--requires regular maintenance in order to fight the inevitable accumulation of dirt, rot and rust. However, if you are willing to put in the necessary work, learning how to protect outdoor furniture can help keep your furniture clean and looking new for years.
Steps
- Clean the furniture before protecting it. Make sure that your furniture is in good condition before you go through the effort of protecting it, or else you may find that your efforts were wasted in light of internal rot and decay.
- Remove all of the upholstery and cushions before cleaning.
- Wicker furniture can be sprayed with a hose. Wood and metal furniture should be scrubbed and wiped down with a sponge. Use cleaning solution that is designed specifically for your furniture's material.
- Protect the frames of the furniture. A good portion of the damage caused to wooden furniture comes from UV radiation in the sun's rays as well as water from rain and humidity. Protection against the elements is important if you want to prolong the life of your furniture.
- For metal and plastic furniture, purchase a container of outdoor furniture protector, which is applied directly to the furniture's frame. This will minimize the impact of heat and UV radiation. The protector can be applied directly using a wide paint brush. When applying, be sure to be in a well-ventilated area. If you want to be extra safe, it is recommended that you wear rubber gloves and a mask.
- For wood furniture, paint is the best way to protect wooden furniture from the elements because the pigments in paint offer a good degree of protection against the sun's UV radiation. Some forms of paint can even protect against heat and water. However, paint on outdoor furniture tends to chip and peel when used regularly, so you will need to reapply the paint once or twice every year.
- Protect the upholstery of the furniture.
- Make sure the upholstery has been thoroughly cleaned with soap and warm water. Dirty upholstery will reduce the effectiveness of protection.
- After washing, make sure that the upholstery dries completely. Wet or damp upholstery may interfere and reduce the effectiveness of protection. Furthermore, if the upholstery does not dry completely, there is a good chance that it will develop mildew.
- When the upholstery is both clean and dry, take every piece and spray them with fabric protector. Be sure to check the can or bottle to make sure that the fabric protector will not damage or discolor your furniture.
- Reapply the fabric protector at the start of every season to minimize upholstery damage.
- Protect the furniture against stains and water. Stain and water repellents can help prolong the aesthetic beauty of your furniture, especially if you have a lot of wooden furniture. Not only do water repellents help prevent water from soaking into your furniture, but they also quicken the evaporation of moisture from within the wood. This reduces the chance that your furniture will warp, weaken, or rot. Keep in mind that stain and water repellents typically need to be reapplied every 2 to 3 years for maximum protection.
- When choosing a repellent, avoid repellents with high oil percentages. High amounts of oil will promote the sticking of particles to your furniture, which can detract from their appearance.
- Store the furniture correctly to minimize damage. If possible, store your outdoor furniture in a shed or a garage when not in use--especially during the winter months. This reduces the amount of exposure to sun, weather, and temperature. If you must keep the furniture outside, invest in a water furniture cover. A cover won't protect against temperature, but it will protect against sun and weather to a degree.
- Finished.
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