Having beautiful patio furniture in your yard can make the summer months more enjoyable. It’s quite fun to lounge back after a long day watching your kids play in the yard, or host an outdoor barbecue and actually have somewhere for your guests to sit. While outdoor furniture is sturdy and built to last, it does wear down over time. In order to combat that, here are few tips and tricks to help your patio furniture last as long as possible.
Regularly Clean Your Furniture
You should clean your patio furniture at least one or two times per month. If your furniture is aluminum, vinyl, or plastic, get out a bucket of soapy water and scrub it down. When you are finished, rinse it off and let it dry. If your furniture is wooden, do not use soap. Just spray it down with water, wipe it clean and leave it out in the sun to dry. For canvas furniture, use an upholstery cleaner. If your furniture starts to get mildew, thoroughly clean it with a bleach and water mixture (about ¾ cup bleach to 1 gallon of water).
Cover Your Furniture
When you are not using your patio furniture, cover it with a custom cover or with a large tarp. This will help protect it from the elements — sun, rain, and even bird droppings. You can order patio covers online and they should fit your furniture nicely, or if you are using a tarp, use bungee cords or ropes to tie them down.
Put It Away In the Winter
While your patio furniture is designed to withstand all types of weather, it is best to put it away for the winter. Harsh winters will wear down your patio furniture faster than anything else. An outdoor shed will do quite nicely, but if you don’t have one, you can always put your furniture in your basement or in the garage. If those are not an option, rent a storage unit.
Remove Rust Immediately
Keep an eye on your furniture and if it starts to rust, make sure you clean it off immediately. Take a wire brush and scrub off the rust. You can apply a paste wax on new furniture to prevent rust, or you can powder coat your furniture.
Try Powder Coating
Powder coating will give your patio furniture a protective coating to help it withstand all types of weather, from intense UV rays to extreme bouts of rain. You also can powder coat your furniture to give it a unique look. You will be surprised at how many options you have to make your patio furniture durable yet personalized.