By Ken Adney
All jokes aside about how Washington State’s “official” plant is mildew, the weather here can be hard on your outdoor furniture. With a little periodic maintenance, you can do battle with the elements and maintain those items so that you can enjoy them for many years to come.
Outdoor furniture is not as expensive as indoor items, but it is still an investment. You will want to take care of your items so you don’t have to replace them any time soon. The care will depend on the type of furniture you have on your patio and the degree of protection from the weather provided. The following are some tips for maintenance on various materials.
Iron, Aluminum or Steel
The first step is smart shopping. Steel holds up the best because it isn’t as brittle as cast iron or as soft as aluminum, but it is prone to serious rust problems. The most durable of finishes is powder coating. These are polymer granules sprayed on with a gun that uses an electrostatic charge to get the particles to stick. Then the product is baked at about 390 degrees so the particles melt and flow together. Unless the powder coating flakes off, you shouldn’t need to paint it.
If you have patio furniture with any type of metal frame, your biggest concern will be rust. Some newer metal frames come with rust resistant aspects and they do not require as much maintenance. If your frame is older, you might want to seal it with a paste wax after you clean it with soap and water, to help prevent rust. If you already have spots of rust on your furniture, treat it with a rust remover. Personally, I prefer the Rust-oleum line of paints if you need to repaint.
Wood
Wooden outdoor furniture should be sealed with exterior varnish so the wood is well protected from the elements. You can then clean the furniture with soap and water on a regular basis. If your wood furniture is not sealed, you will want to do this as soon as you can. It is also a good idea to store wood items in a garage or shed in the winter so the material is not damaged from the extra moisture.
There are some exceptions to the rule of exterior varnishes. Some woods (such as teak or cedar) have naturally high contents of oil. Although this oil provides protection against rot, it can also make a surface sealer, like varnish, not “stick” very well. I’ve had the best luck with spar varnish, originally intended for use on ship or boat spars. It has the benefit of being elastic, or less brittle, than other finishes but it usually is only available in a high gloss, which may not be the look you want for your wooden furniture. An alternative is to use tung or linseed oil. Cleanup for either of these will require alcohol or turpentine.
Wicker
It is a good idea to hose wicker furniture down on a regular basis. If the material is really filled with dirt, use a mild soap along with the water. Once the wicker dries, you can seal it with paste wax to protect it from stormy weather.
Resin
Plastic outdoor furniture takes the least amount of maintenance. There is really nothing you have to do to keep it looking decent. If it gets dirty, simply hose it off.
Fabric
Fabric takes the most maintenance because you have to wash it thoroughly on a regular basis to keep it clean. If you have cushions on your outdoor furniture, make sure you buy materials that can be machine-washed. Wash the cushions every month and lay to dry, outside in the sun. You will also have to worry about the fabric fading in the sunlight on your patio. Of course, a polyester fabric (the most famous being the Sunbrella brand) is the most durable. You can wash these with a mild soap like Snow or Woolite and be sure to rinse them completely.
Umbrellas
Umbrellas are a nice way to gain access to extra shade on the patio, but you will need to keep the item clean. Use a soft brush along with soap and water to get the dirt off your umbrella. If the item has a metal frame, you might need to oil it in order to ensure that the umbrella will be able to move up and down smoothly. Wooden frames will need to have paste wax applied to protect them from moisture.
Ken Adney owns Furniture Works in downtown Olympia, selling an eclectic mix of gently used and new home furnishings.
