Garden furniture can make your outdoor space more functional and more attractive. To keep it looking its best, try using these tips for storing and caring for outdoor furniture:
Garden Furniture Storage Tips
Outdoor furniture is designed to withstand the elements. That doesn't mean, however, that you should leave it outdoors year round. Storing it indoors during the harsh winter months can extend the life of the furniture, keeping it looking its best much longer.
Ideally, outdoor furniture should be moved into a shed or garage during the winter months. If you don't have either of these options available, you may want to consider creating a sheltered area in your yard where the furniture can be stored. Having a place where your furniture can stay dry during the winter will help it last much longer and reduce the chances of weather-related damage occurring. This is especially important for furniture that has fabric cushions or covers.
If you don't have a place to store your furniture, you may want to consider covering it. Using specially designed covers is a great way to protect outdoor furniture from the elements if you don't have an indoor storage option available.
Tips For Cleaning Outdoor Furniture
Even if you store or cover your outdoor furniture during the winter, it most likely will still get rained on during the summer. Luckily, most outdoor furniture is designed to handle this type of weather exposure. Over time, however, it can cause your furniture to become a little bit dirty and dingy. You should periodically clean it to keep it in the best shape possible.
If you have plastic furniture, the cleaning process is simple. You just need a little bit of dish soap, some warm water, and a sponge. Scrubbing down your furniture periodically will help keep moss, algae, and dirt from affecting the surface, extending the life of your furniture pieces.
Fabric furniture is a little bit more difficult to clean. If your furniture has removable covers, you can most likely take them off and wash them indoors in the washing machine. Just read the care tag on the furniture first to make sure that the fabric won't be damaged in the wash. If you need new furniture, these guys at Soothing Company have a nice selection.
Tips For Maintaining Garden Furniture
Cleaning your outdoor furniture is only one part of the process when it comes to maintaining it. There are other maintenance steps that you need to follow - particularly if you have wooden furniture or if your furniture has parts that move.
Furniture that is made from hardwood usually needs to be oiled every couple of years. Choose a restorative oil that is designed specifically for outdoor furniture, following the instructions on the bottle closely. You may also want to provide additional protection for your outdoor furniture by applying a coat of varnish over the surface.
Furniture with moving parts like folding chairs may periodically need to be greased to keep them moving smoothly. Regularly check the chairs to make sure that there is no resistance when you try to open them. If they are difficult to open, apply grease or another type of lubricant to the parts that move.