Investing in a beautiful patio, if you can do so, is truly a gratifying thing - just think of the dinners, laughter, and conversations that will be shared in your garden. On that note, to keep your garden furniture in top shape so that you can enjoy it the most, there are a couple of maintenance measures that must be taken, about which we will be talking in this article.

Since we are talking about the outdoors, the biggest risk factors for furniture damage are extremely hot or cold temperatures, as well as the rain and humidity. But, you should know that maintenance is probably quite easier than you would initially think, especially if you are buying quality outdoor furniture. Experts from FeatureDECO explain that all the quality outdoor furniture is built to be durable, and to do so, the furniture features rust-free powder coated aluminum, UV light-resistant fabric and well as foam, and, of course, wood that isn't prone to rot. Still, as with pretty much any product, a little care, and maintenance can go a long way, so, here are a few tips on how to do that.

Using covers

Maybe the most obvious and the most important step in ensuring that your garden furniture is going to last longer and stay in top shape is using covers for it when you're not using it. The most important thing when it comes to using covers is to ensure that you are getting full coverage, and hence full protection against weather, dust, insects, etc. So, what you are looking for in covers are highly durable, low porosity polymer materials, like heavy-duty polyester fabrics for instance. This way, no matter the outside circumstances, your outdoor furniture will be kept safe.

Cleaning

Although it's recommended that you clean your outdoor furniture a couple of times in the period that you're actively using it, it is even more important to thoroughly clean it when you are preparing it for storage during the winter months. If there is any dirt, moisture, or other debris left on your furniture for a long time, you are risking mold growth, and that is a problem that can't be solved with a simple rinse. Not only mold doesn't give your furniture a very presentable look, but it also smells really bad and even poses a health hazard.

The way that you are going to approach the cleaning varies depending on the materials, so, pieces that are made from wicker, hard fabric, or polymers can be easily cleaned by using a sponge that is soaked in a mixture of dish soap and water, you don't need to use any stronger chemicals. Afterward, you can simply rinse the pieces with a hose and let them dry. On the other hand, as far as pieces made from wood are concerned, you need to be careful not to damage them by using inadequate products, or by scrubbing too hard, which can lead to chipping of the paint. If you ruin your furniture this way, no warranty can help you. So, for whitewashed or painted wood it is enough just to wipe it down with a damp cloth. Also, after you are done with cleaning and you are going to store the furniture afterward, be sure to let it dry first!

Coating

It is very important to properly treat your outside furniture! As well as cleaning, the way that you are going to coat the object heavily depends on the material, and since there are a lot of variations on this topic, it will probably be best to consult the recommended care instructions or a professional about your specific garden furniture set before you do anything. Here, we are going to cover (pun intended) the basics.

  • Plastics: Well, materials made of plastic are probably the easiest ones for maintenance. Plastic materials are the only ones that don't require coating since they are resistant to pretty much anything but melting.
  • Finished metal and aluminum: Since the biggest problem with metal is rust, if there are no signs of it, it is enough to coat the metal pieces with paste wax for further protection.
  • Textiles: As we said earlier, with textiles, your biggest enemy is the mold. But if you are taking good care of your textiles, you probably won't encounter this problem. So next time that you thoroughly wash and then dry tour textiles, treat them with a good fabric protector and that would be enough.
  • Wood: The most important thing about wood is not to let it retain moisture since it leads to cracking and rotting. You can achieve this by coating the wood with a sealant.

Storing properly

If you can do so, it will be best for your outdoor furniture if you store it during the off-season to protect it. A garage, basement, or storage shed is ideal for this occasion, but just be sure that everything is covered properly and that the furniture isn't stored while it's still wet.

Taking that bit of extra care for your outdoor furniture really goes a long way. Be sure to follow all the steps mentioned above, and you will surely be enjoying your patio for years to come!