When properly maintained and cared for, patio furniture can last a lifetime. Unfortunately, many homeowners neglect their outdoor furniture, believing it will withstand the hands of time without any additional work. Granted, some furniture is stronger and more resilient than others. If you want your patio furniture to last, though, you should take some basic precautions by following the tips listed below.
Choose High-Quality, Durable Furniture
Choosing the right type of patio furniture is essential to making it last a lifetime. As explained in a previous blog post, wicker furniture is inexpensive and easy to care for. However, it’s also susceptible to damage. Typically made of either natural reed or synthetic PVC nylon, it’s easily damaged from falling tree limbs, weather and even regular use.
Instead of wicker, you should consider stronger and more durable furniture for your patio. Teak is arguably one of the best materials for patio furniture. This tropical hardwood is characterized by a pleasant leather-like smell and a rich mahogany finish. The greatest feature of teak, though, lies in its composition of natural oils. You see, these oils work to repel mold, mildew and bacteria; thus, protecting teak — and furniture made of teak — from rotting. You can expect to pay a premium price for genuine teak furniture, but most homeowners will agree it’s a smart investment.
Bring in Metal Furniture
Don’t leave metal furniture on your patio for long periods of time, especially during the winter. While teak furniture may hold up under the cold winter temperatures, metal furniture will not. This is because metal furniture contains iron, and when exposed to moisture, iron turns to rust. Some metal furniture is less susceptible to rusting than others, but the fact remains that all types can and will rust when left outdoors for long enough. The only way to completely safeguard your metal patio furniture from rusting is to bring it indoors when you aren’t using it.
Place Furniture in Shaded Area
If possible, try placing your patio furniture in a shaded area. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays will take a toll on uncovered furniture, causing it to fade. A chair that was once a pristine forest green color may not possess a lime green color. By placing your furniture in a shaded area, however, you’ll protect it from this phenomenon. Furniture, placing your furniture in the shade will protect it from bird droppings, falling limbs and debris, hail and more.
Alternatively, if there’s little-to-no shade on your patio, consider adding a UV-protective finish to your furniture. Many commercial varnishes are designed to protect against UV and moisture. Once applied, it creates a barrier of protection between your furniture and the outside elements.
Store Cushions
Assuming your patio furniture has cushions, consider storing the cushions in a storage container or box. Seat cushions don’t handle the heat and moisture of being outdoors. If not properly cared for, they’ll develop mold and mildew, which is nearly impossible to fully remove. Bringing your seat cushions indoors is one way to protect them from this type of damage, though you can also use a separate storage container. There are actually some containers designed specifically for storing patio seat cushions. They are large, heavy duty and waterproof, making them ideal for this purpose.
Wash and Clean Patio Furniture
There’s no other way around it: to make your patio furniture last, you must wash and clean it regularly. As long as it doesn’t have cushions, you can typically clean patio furniture by hosing it down with a garden hose. Some consumers go the extra mile by using a pressure washer, but this usually isn’t necessary. In fact, the high PSI of a pressure washer can damage certain types of furniture. Because of this, it’s recommended that you clean your patio furniture with a basis, low-pressure garden hose.
If a garden hose doesn’t suffice, use mild dish soap and a bucket of water to scrub your furniture by hand. With a little bit of elbow grease, it should come clean
Keep Patio Clean
In addition to cleaning your patio furniture, you should also clean your patio. Allowing your patio to accumulate leaves, pine straw and other debris can shorten the life of your furniture — not to mention the fact that it’s difficult to use a dirty patio. When debris such as this begins to accumulate, it encourages mold, mildew and insects, all of which can damage your furniture. So, if you want your furniture to last, try to get into the habit of cleaning your patio on a regular basis.
Patio Furniture Covers
Of course, you can also prolong the life of your patio furniture by covering it. Most home improvement stores sell vinyl covers for patio furniture. You can toss them over your furniture, protecting it from rain, insects, hail and more.
If you have any questions regarding how an S&S Fire Pit can enhance your outdoor living space; We can help. https://ssfirepits.com/contact/
