When summer's over and the leaves begin to fall, it's easy to forget about outdoor furniture. Patio furniture can be a big investment, however, and one that's worth protecting. Properly cleaning, protecting, and storing your patio furniture prolongs the life of the furniture and ensures that you can enjoy your investment for many summers to come. Does this Spark an idea?
Cleaning Your Patio Furniture
You wouldn't store dirty clothes or dirty dishes, so why store dirty patio furniture? To begin protecting your patio furniture for the fall and winter start with a clean slate, literally. The best method of cleaning your patio furniture is determined by the furniture's material and construction.
Scrub plastic furniture with a mild detergent.
Clean wicker furniture with a mild detergent, using a soft brush to clean in between crevices.
Clean wrought Iron, aluminum and metal furniture with a mild detergent applied with a soft cloth.
Clean wood furniture, such as teak or cedar, with a mild detergent applied with a soft brush.
Clean patio furniture cushions by mixing a cleaning solution of 1 tsp. dishwashing detergent and 1 tsp. borax in 1 qt. warm water, and put in a spray bottle. Saturate the cushions with the cleaning solution on both sides, taking care to soak crevices. Scrub any stains with a soft brush or plastic dish scrubber, and allow the dishwashing liquid/borax solution to set for 15 minutes before spraying the cushions with a garden hose turned on high. Stand the cushions on edge, or hang to dry.
Clean canvas furniture or accessorie by rubbing with a soft brush or plastic dish scrubber over a bar of laundry soap.
For each of these cleaning methods, use a hose to rinse the furniture after cleaning to remove all the dirt and soap.
Protecting Your Patio Furniture
Before storing your patio furniture, take care to protect it from the damaging effects of extreme temperatures, wet conditions, and other factors. Some patio furniture needs special attention to protect it from the elements or simply from the effects of storage. Before storing wicker for the winter, check for weak spots or spots where the paint or clear coat has worn off, and touch up accordingly.
Sand off rusty spots on wrought iron or metal patio furniture, and touch up the paint with a rust-deterring paint.
To prepare unfinished wood furniture for storage, first clean, then apply the appropriate protectant and/or sealant for the specific wood.
Storing Your Patio Furniture
The best method, hands down, to store your patio furniture is to store it indoors or in a protected area. If you must leave the furniture pieces themselves outdoors, use furniture covers to protect them from moisture, and store them in an area that is at least somewhat protected from the sun and extremes in temperatures. Remember to always store patio cushions indoors or in bins that will keep them dry.
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