OVERVIEW
While enjoying our outdoor furniture can bring us relaxation and recharge us for the next day, sooner or later, we must step up and clean it. The furniture cannot stay in pristine condition without proper care, and if you happen to live in an area where storms are common, you will have to walk an extra mile. Some materials require less care than others. Depending on the materials and size of your patio set, you might have to clean it often and store it during storms.
The best thing you can do to keep your outdoor furniture looking good is to prevent it from ever getting dirty. To do that you can either store it inside, or protect it with a weather-resistant cover.
Storing it inside is an easy and simple solution as the furniture will never be exposed to dangerous weather conditions. The downsides to it are having to carry the furniture every time a storm is approaching. The task can get tedious. However, if there is no free space inside, if the furniture is too big to easily move, or if you plan on using it all the time, then a nice cover will do the trick.
General Tips On How To Store Your Patio Furniture
What Are The Potential Threats?
If you leave your outdoor furniture without protection, it could in serious danger. UV rays, snow, dust dirt, pollen, leaves, insects, rain, salt, tree sap, droppings, ice, and others are threats your furniture will likely face during its lifetime. The winter especially months might be the most dangerous out of them all. And, to prepare the needed tools. Some tips to follow are:
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast. Extreme sunshine with high temperatures, freak snow storms, strong winds, or rain are the most common threats to your patio set.
- A good idea would be to check for historical seasonal behavior for your area and prepare way in advance for what is to come.
- If you plan on using a cover, never put it over wet furniture. Doing so will trap the moisture between the patio and the cover. The risk is long-term damage. You will also have to clean it afterwards. Trapped moisture in an enclosed space is the ideal condition for mold and mildew.
- Don't leave other items on top of the covers. That will help trap moisture and might leave marks on the furniture and cover.
- You can leave pillows and blankets on the patio or store them inside.
General Tips On How To Clean Your Patio Furniture
Cleaning The Patio’s Surface
- During the year, all sorts of dirt, grime, leaves, and debris might have made their way to your patio. If you don’t have the time for furniture winterizing, or prefer to play it safe, you may prefer to hire a professional instead.
- Sweep leaves, debris, and snow during the winter. By doing that, the patio will remain rodent-free. If your patio set remains clean before storage, it can prevent staining and corrosion.
- You must keep wicker and stone items indoors or use waterproof covers for them. Insulated covers might also work because the temperature extremes can create small cracks in the stone.
- Don’t forget to freshen up the base of your patio as well. It would be wise to get the summer grit off of the patio before the colder months arrive. You can either wash the patio base or use a hose with an attachment nozzle to remove any piles of dirt and debris.
After the cleaning is over and the furniture is dry, it is time to store or cover your set. If you prefer to cover it, we have the right solution. ALCO's Furniture covers are made from either 12oz or 18oz vinyl. The 12oz vinyl is great if you live in an area with mild weather and need a secure protection at all times. 18oz vinyl costs a bit more, but can withstand in harsh weather conditions.
How To Care For Different Furniture Types
Wood
- Some types of wood are naturally more resilient than others. Examples are teak and acacia. But, even they require some care
- Wipe away any traces of dirt by using a damp, non-abrasive cloth
- If you notice a particularly dirty spot, use pH-neutral soap with warm water and wash it off with a cloth. Use a second, dry cloth to make sure everything is nice and dry. If the day is sunny, you can also leave the furniture in the open to dry off naturally
- Teak specifically is resistant to water warping, but it is better to keep it dry as well
- Wood furniture will require cleaning more often than other materials.
Plastic
- Plastic is much more resilient and durable than other materials. It is easier to clean, but still needs care
- Mix hot water with liquid dish soap in a bucket. A gallon of water should be enough
- Use a sponge or rag to to soak in the cleaning solution and wipe the plastic furniture
- If the dirt is too stubborn and doesn't come off, wait for at least ten minutes until the cleaning solution soaks in
- Spray your plastic patio with a hose to remove any remaining soap and dirt. Use some extra water pressure to to guarantee the patio is clean
- Place upside down to dry.
Wicker And Rattan
- Be sure to go through and brush all surfaces and angles. You can use a damp cloth or sponge for this. Natural soap will easily remove nasty stains. After that, wipe it with water
- Always be gentle with these materials as they can easily be damaged
- You can also add salt to the water for more cleaning power
- White vinegar can be great in dealing with mold and mildw buildup
- Next, you should rinse with a hose. You can use a hand steam-cleaner
- If the furniture has teak, use a teak protector
- Rinse with water to remove remaining dirt.
Metal
- Go through every angle with water and metal washing powder. You can use different tools to scrub it away
- Polish the metal surface with some metal wax. Doing that will guarantee a few months of protection against negative weather effects such as UV rays. Add in a cover, and the furniture will remain in top shape
- Check every angle for rust. If it starts building up, it might ruin the surface. To remove it, you could use white vinegar, lime with salt, baking soda, potatoes with natural soap, chemical removers, or citric acid. After cleaning, spray the surface with matching color paint.
Composite Stone
- Composite stone is one of the toughest materials in our list, but still needs a bit of care
- If you want to extend the life of your composite stone patio furniture, you could add a cement sealer once every few months for increased protection. If it gets too cold during the winter, the stones might begin to crack and you should bring them indoors if possible
- Use a soft cloth and avoid adding too much cleaner or soap as it may cause streaks. Do not use solutions with lemon, vinegar, or acids
- Leave the composite stone to dry off naturally to prevent water spots and mineral deposits before storing or covering it.
Fabrics
- Outdoor fabrics tend to get dirty quite easily, but at least they have strong resistance to mold, mildew, fading, abrasions, and stains
- Often brush them down with a broom which will eliminate most dust and debris. If something doesn't want to fall down, it's time to get the vacuum cleaner.
- Always pat close attention to the seams
- For nasty stains, prepare a cleaning solution made of water and pH-neutral soap. Spray it on the furniture and let it remain still for awhile. Rinse away the remaining soap and leave the furniture to dry
- Never cover it if it is not dry yet.
The Perfect Solution – ALCO’s Custom Made Patio Covers
Full Cover Customization
The best way to keep furniture in pristine condition is to prevent dirt from reaching it in the first place! And, one of the best things you could do would be to cover your patio set while not in use.
We offer a wide range of choices when designing your own cover. Once you choose a specific cover type, it will be time to fill in a quote form with:
- Custom dimensions based on the type of furniture you have
- Materials (usually between 18oz and 10oz vinyl)
- One of many cover colors
- Add special accessories such as Velcro splits, grommets, and others
With nearly countless possibilities, we rarely make the same cover twice. Every client wants a different cover, and that is what makes our work even more enjoyable. Your backyard is an extension of your home. It is natural to keep it as comfortable as your house is. After you’ve chosen the right cover for your patio, add it to your shopping cart and follow the checkout process. To view the items in your cart, click the cart icon in the top-right corner of the screen.