Adorning every corner of your house speaks to your style. Especially when it comes to outdoor furniture, you can infuse your personalized touch and a cozy vibe into your space. Outdoor seating with comfortable chairs, tables, and sofas creates a charming and more welcoming look.
Taking a seat on your patio furniture can help you enjoy your evening tea with the striking natural views of your yard. However, maintaining the beauty of your space with outdoor furniture is essential to enjoy your patio for years.
Outdoor Furniture Maintenance Tips: A Seasonal Guide
Outdoor furniture is a valuable investment that enhances the aesthetics of your home. Whether you have a spacious garden, an open backyard, or a wide terrace, patio furniture can enhance your space in no time. From metal and plastic to wicker and wood, outdoor furniture is available in an extensive choice of materials.
Each element has its own significance and cleaning requirements, and the maintenance needs for each piece of furniture also differ depending on the season.
Let’s learn how to clean outdoor furniture and maintain the beauty of your spaces.
Summer: Protect from the Sun and Rain
Summers come with scorching sun rays and temperature rise. The strong sunlight can fade the color of your furniture, causing aging and deterioration. Therefore, it is important to protect your patio furniture from the torrid heat of summer.
The best you can do is to minimize the exposure to direct sunlight by placing your outdoor seating in a shady place. You can also place weather-resistant covers, umbrellas, and canopies to prevent sun rays from falling directly on the furniture.
In addition, summer brings rain. Moisture accumulation, especially on wooden furniture, can damage it, and prolonged exposure can significantly result in mold and rot formation. Moreover, trapped moisture on the surface of metal furniture can cause rust.
Thus, you need to protect your patio furniture from rain and humidity. Cover the outdoor furniture with thick weather-resistant material or move it indoors or to a shady place to prevent moisture build-up.
Autumn: Clean from the Dust and Cracks
As the summer winds up, the weather turns dry, with the leaves falling from the trees. Autumn can be tricky to maintain your outdoor spaces as the season brings dry air, dust, and leaves. Regular cleaning is required to keep the aesthetics of your patio and prevent material damage.
The dry air can crack the wooden furniture, so avoid placing them near vents or heaters and keep them covered when not in use. You can apply a protective finish like teak oil, varnish, or sealant to protect it from moisture and UV damage.
Winter: Protect from Chilly Winds
It’s the time of the year near Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Moreover, the temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius, resulting in chilly winds and freezing conditions. Many people prefer spending time in-house near fireplaces and heaters.
Therefore, storage of patio furniture in winter is recommended indoors. You can drag your outdoor furniture inside to avoid seasonal damage, especially due to freezing temperatures and frost.
In addition, you can apply anti-freeze varnish on the wooden furniture to protect against the potential damage caused due to winter.
Spring: Clean from Pollens and Dirt
Nature starts to wake by the end of March or the first week of April. The rich flora shakes off the snow blanket with a gentle sun glaring into the sky. That’s the time of the year when people enjoy outdoor fun.
From organizing parties to enjoying evening supper, a yard, or patio is most commonly used during the spring. You may encounter pollens and debris if the furniture is placed in your garden. Therefore, keeping the furniture in good condition and staying sharp for the next season is important.
Spring is the best time to give your patio a complete refresh. One of the best outdoor furniture maintenance tips is frequent cleaning. Regular cleaning protects the longevity and maintains the furniture in optimal condition.
Use a clean and damp cloth to prevent moisture damage and to wipe off stubborn stains. You can also use mild detergents and soapy water without harsh chemicals to clean the surface without fading or deteriorating its beauty.
How to Clean Outdoor Furniture Around the Year?
It is important to maintain the aesthetics of outdoor furniture from January to December, from summer to spring. The patio furniture is available in plastic, wood, plywood, wicker, and aluminum to provide comfort and style to your outdoor seating.
However, you need to keep them looking and feeling their best.
Here’s how to clean outdoor furniture and maintain its integrity around the year in all seasons:
- Shake and fluff the cushions to prevent dirt build-up, and store them in waterproof ventilated cushion boxes.
- Spots and stains can be cleaned using mild detergents, soapy water, and specialized fabric cleaners. As directed by the manufacturer, deep cleaning should be performed once a year with pressure washing or brushing.
- Prevent moisture build-up and wetness to ensure the longevity of your furniture without fearing mold and rust.
- Apply protective coverings. For wooden furniture, apply oils to prevent deterioration.
- Store your patio furniture in a shady place to avoid direct damage, and place them indoors, especially during peak sunny days, rainy weather, and harsh environmental conditions.
Bottom Line: Maintain the Integrity of your Outdoor Spaces
Thus, patio furniture enhances the look of your space. With regular cleaning and proper maintenance, outdoor furniture will remain a comfortable and stylish addition to your yard for years. However, every season requires a slightly different cleaning method, depending on the temperature and environmental conditions.
Additionally, quickly fix minor issues before they turn big to save time and money. Take preventive measures to avoid damage and ensure your pieces stay in good condition throughout the year.
At Patio Life, we offer timeless options to create the backyard of your dreams that matches your style and budget. For outdoor furniture in Idaho, reach out to our customer care representative today and explore the perfect pieces to reignite your love for a cozy and stylish patio.
