Outdoor furniture can transform the way your facility exterior appears to those driving or walking by or coming into your facility. When clean and fresh, outdoor furniture can create a welcoming and appealing environment. When old, dingy and dirty, outdoor facility furniture can create a negative impact on its appearance.
While these pieces are designed to withstand the beating sun and pouring rain, harsh outdoor elements can damage furniture. Know how to take care of your outdoor furniture to protect it through severe weather and the wear of time. Proper storage, monthly spot cleaning, and annual deep cleaning can make your furniture last for years to come.
How to your clean your furniture depends on what it is made of. Never use corrosive cleaners like bleach unless directed by the furniture manufacturer. Whenever you are using a new solution, test it on a piece of the furniture that cannot be seen before using it on the whole piece.
Keep your outdoor furniture in good repair with a light cleaning at least once a month, even if it doesn’t look like it needs it. This can be as easy as wiping it down with a wet rag or dusting it off with a soft-bristle broom. If you see bird droppings, sap, or a stain starting to develop, clean the area immediately. Bird droppings can be corrosive and cause damage if not cleaned immediately.
Metal Furniture
Most often, metal furniture is made of iron, steel, or aluminum. Since iron and steel rust, most metal furniture has a rust-resistant coating. But bird droppings can still destroy your furniture’s protective finish. Wash off any droppings as soon as you see them. If your furniture has rust or mold, use fine-grit sandpaper to remove it from the furniture. Wipe it clean with a soapy solution.
Coating on metal surfaces with custom colors can also give metal pieces a durable, long lasting finish. Coatings are tested for the reactions with cleaners and salts to help extend the life of the coating’s appearance.
If your wooden patio furniture has been coated with exterior-grade varnish, you can clean it with a solution of oil-based mild soap and water. Just a few drops of soap will do the trick! Soft woods, like cedar, should be scrubbed with the direction of the wood grain. Wipe the furniture with a wet rag; never hose it down, this can cause mold and mildew. Dry it with a towel. With most wood furniture, you should give it a coat of oil after cleaning, but check with the manufacturer first.
Fabric Furniture and Cushions
Outdoor fabrics for patio furniture undergo chemical treatments to increase moisture and stain resistance. While these fabrics are hardy, that doesn’t mean you should leave them outside. One rain storm can ruin cushions, making the padding clumpy and adding grime. Worse yet, if the water seeps down into the cushion padding, mold can start to grow.
Outdoor fabrics are extremely durable but that doesn’t mean you can wash them any way you like. Before using a new solution on your cushions, test it in a small, unnoticeable section. Spot-clean your cushions using a solution of ¼ cup mild detergent in a gallon of water. Do not machine wash or dry your pillows and cushions unless the manufacturer lists otherwise. Be sure pillows and cushions are completely dry before storage to avoid mold and mildew.
For more information about exterior furniture contact KC Restoration today. We can perform a free evaluation for deep cleaning and restoring your exteriors that need attention.