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Be a Patio Pro
Tips for extending the life of your outdoor furniture
To retain wood’s honey color, try conditioning.
NOMATTER WHAT the description promised, “weather-resistant” fabrics and finishes on outdoor furniture are affected over time by rain, sun and everyday wear. Danielle Hoff, an outdoor furniture expert for Frontgate, offers advice to help your investment look better longer.
Consider conditioner
With time, teak frames weather to a soft gray color. “If you prefer the original honey tone of the wood, condition frames every few months with tung oil or linseed oil,” Hoff says. To remove stains from wood frames, lightly sand the area with fine-grade sandpaper.
Wash synthetic wicker
Rinse off resin wicker furniture every few weeks, or weekly if it’s regularly exposed to salt water or chlorine. If debris becomes lodged in the textured surface, remove it with an extra-soft toothbrush.
Wax works
Once a year, apply clear automotive wax to aluminum frames, to protect the surface. As for regular washings, avoid using abrasive cleansers on aluminum. Instead, opt for a soft cloth and a nonabrasive product, and rinse well.
Care for cushions
When your outdoor cushions aren’t being used, pack them away. Otherwise, after storms simply wipe them dry and you should be OK. If you think moisture has seeped inside any seams, “unzip the cover and stand the cushion upright with the open side down to speed drying,” Hoff suggests. If a stain shows up, treat it ASAP. Beyond that, an occasional shaking out and cleaning with warm, soapy water should suffice. —Marie Proeller Hueston