In the Midwest, spending time outside on the patio is an essential part of summer. Whether you’re having people over or just enjoying a relaxing night outside during the week, if you have a patio, you’ll be getting a lot of use out of it during this time.
That’s why keeping your patio furniture maintained and cleaned regularly is so important. With this guide, you’ll be able to keep your patio furniture in the best condition all summer long, while prolonging the use you’ll get out of it over the years.
Regular Cleaning
In an ideal world, you would be keeping up with cleaning your patio furniture on a weekly basis. However, we all know life gets in the way sometimes and that isn’t the number one priority all the time. Keeping a bi-weekly cleaning schedule is still very good, and will go a long way in keeping your furniture well-kept. An easy step to keeping everything clean and tidy is staying on top of the removal of any debris that may have fallen into or blown near your patio. This will help keep everything visually clean without requiring too much effort.
To dig a bit deeper and clean the surfaces of your furniture, mix soap and water and gently scrub the surface. Avoid the use of harsh chemicals or bleaches, since these could do some damage to the material and potentially discolor your furniture.
Once you’ve covered everything, use a garden hose to thoroughly rinse everything off. You won’t want to use a nozzle, since those increase pressure and could potentially cause damage to your furniture. After you’re done hosing off the furniture, leave it outside to air dry naturally.
Protect From UVDamage
The sun’s UV rays can be extremely harmful to your patio furniture, causing the color to fade and discolor, or even weaken the materials and surface, making everything look washed out, worn down, and old. Luckily, there are a few ways you can combat this with one potential fix costing you nothing at all!
The easiest option is going to be utilizing an umbrella to cover tables, chairs, or couches. This will minimize direct exposure to the sun, acting as a barrier to those harmful rays. For things away from your umbrella, you could opt to use covers. When your furniture isn’t actively being used, you can use a cover to place over it. This will also protect the furniture from rain and water damage, but we’ll cover more of that in a little bit.
Lastly, you can avoid the sun depending on where you place your furniture. If you have natural shade on your patio, place your furniture items in those areas. This will keep everything naturally protected in case you can’t get it all covered using some of the other methods.
Guard Against Moisture
Moisture can be an absolute killer for your patio furniture, especially if you have any seating areas that feature cushions of any type. Moisture can lead to mold and mildew, causing unpleasant smells and weakened materials. The first step you should take to guarding against moisture should be investing in some water-resistant covers. As mentioned earlier, it’s good to keep your furniture covered when not in use. Not only will you get the sun protection, but you’ll get moisture protection as well.
Additionally, if your furniture is not actively being used, it’s also a good practice to bring your cushions or cloth materials inside when you’re not using them. If you plan on taking them in only whenever it’s forecasted to rain, you’re putting your cushions at risk on those days when rainfall comes at unpredicted times. If your furniture does get wet, it’s best to dry off everything by patting it dry as soon as you can, to prevent water from seeping too deeply into the furniture or cushions.
Invest In High-Quality Covers
As mentioned in both previous sections, a nice, durable cover can go a long way in keeping your patio furniture protected not only during the summer, but year-round as well. Starting off with a good cover might be pricey, but it will no doubt save you time, money, and stress in the long run. In the end, you’ll extend the life and quality of your furniture so that it will last you many years.
Look for covers built with durable, weather-resistant material. Some covers are even made with built-in ventilation that will help prevent mold and mildew from building up while keeping everything protected from the elements. Obviously, you will also want to ensure that the covers fit your furniture properly, as a cover that’s too small won’t do you much good.
Keep Up With Routine Maintenance &Repair
Throughout the summer, you should regularly check and inspect your patio furniture for any signs of wear and tear. If you see something small that can be fixed quickly, take care of it right away. This will prevent spread to any other areas which could lead to larger issues, and it’ll be good to get it fixed before you forget about it.
Some examples of typical maintenance you will encounter would be tightening any loose bolts or screws, repairing or replacing any lost parts, pieces, or attachments, and repainting or refinishing any faded or scuffed marks.
Material-Specific Care
Depending on what material your patio furniture is made of, your overall care recommendations will differ. Here are some of the more popular types of furniture, along with some tips and tricks for keeping them looking brand new year-after-year.
Wood
- Sealing: Apply a sealant to the exterior of your wood furniture to protect from UV damage and moisture from rainfall.
- Cleaning: Use a wood-specific cleaner and a soft brush to avoid harsh damage to the wooden material.
- Sanding & Refinishing: Periodically sand and refinish the wood to keep it looking fresh, new and in great shape.
Metal
- Rust Prevention: Apply a rust-resistant finish to prevent rusting from moisture, and touch up any rusted spots with paint to cover up those problem areas.
- Cleaning: Use a mild cleaning soap and avoid the use of abrasive brushes that could scratch and damage the surface of the metal.
Plastic
- Cleaning: Use mild soap and water to clean the surface regularly and avoid using harsh cleaners or bleach that could cause discoloration or damage to the plastic material.
Wicker
- Cleaning: Use a vacuum to remove any dirt, then wash mildly and lightly with soap and water to avoid damage.
- Protection: Use a UV-resistant spray to prevent fading of the wooden color and deterioration of the wicker from sun damage.
Fabric
- Cleaning: Regularly wash any removable cushions or covers according to the instructions on the manufacturer’s tag.
- Protection: Use fabric protection spray to prevent stains and moisture damage.
Keeping up with patio furniture care throughout the summer will help you get the most out of your furniture for years and years to come. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to impress everyone that comes and visits your patio during every backyard party and gathering.
You can check out our entire selection of patio furniture, and patio furniture care supplies online at FleetFarm.com and at your local Fleet Farm store.
