Outdoor furniture for patios, sunrooms and gardens requires similar care as does your indoor furniture. Outdoor furniture needs to be wiped down from time to time to remove dust, pollen and other debris, and have stains removed as soon as possible. However, there are some obvious differences between indoor and outdoor furniture, such as their tolerance to sunlight and moisture. Outdoor fabrics, such as the Sunbrella® brand, have stain resistance and UV fade protection and are easily maintained, and have proven durability.

Luckily, protecting your furniture is easy when you have a plan! Here are some maintenance and storage tips to extend the life of your outdoor furniture in Sarasota County, FL.

Cleaning and maintaining patio furniture

Here are some tips to make cleaning manageable:

• Remove the cushions : Remove the cushions and set them aside to clean, after you have cleaned the frames. You might want to wear disposable gloves to protect your hands.
• Get the hose: Adjust the setting on your garden hose, take aim at the dust and dirt on the furniture and spray away. Never use a pressure washer on wicker resin or powder coated aluminum furniture because the powerful blasts can damage these surfaces.
• For easy day-to-day maintenance of cushions: Blot, don’t rub liquid spills with a clean, dry cloth. For oil based spills apply an absorbent such as corn starch, then remove with a straight edge. Spray on a mild cleaning solution of soap (such as Dawn or Woolite) and water. Rinse the fabric thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
• Rinse, repeat and dry: Once stains are gone, rinse thoroughly and repeat as needed. Leave wet furniture to air dry before using it or putting it away in storage.

Storing outdoor furniture

With proper and regular cleanings, you can extend the life of your outdoor furniture. Storing your furniture correctly also helps a great deal. If you know you won’t be using your outdoor patio furniture for a while, take the time to cover it to protect it from the elements. A possible thought is when you buy your furniture, also buy the covers that will fit the collection that you just purchased. Be sure to tie the covers securely in place.

When shielded under weather-resistant protective covers, patio furniture should be just fine. Even better, the sun, rain and other elements won’t be able to damage items that are stored in an enclosed shed, garage or in your home. Check that everything is clean and dry before storing under covers.

Visit Rattan Wicker & Cane today to check out our selection of outdoor furniture in Sarasota County, FL!

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