Nowadays, the outdoor look of a home matters just as much as its interior aesthetic. Some people even spend more on their lawn than they do in their kitchen. If you are new to outdoor styling and just recently bought outdoor furniture, then here are a few tips on how to care for them:
• Make sure they are built for the outdoors to begin with. Pieces of furniture that are specifically made to be placed outside are made to be tougher and more stain-resistant than their interior counterparts. Be sure that you are not just buying a random sofa and placing it outside. The weather, humidity and other factors may destroy your furniture before you even get to use it.
• Read the manual. This is absolutely important if you want to maintain your furniture. Make sure to follow directions and avoid doing anything that may damage your item (such as using the wrong type of cleaner). Also, take note of the scope of the warranty.
• Be gentle. Use a gentle formula to wash your furniture’s surface. Make use of soft brushes or sponges and pat-dry with a soft cloth (preferably lint-free). Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive brushes, unless they are specifically recommended on the manual.
• If possible, store some items indoors or cover them when they are not in use. This is especially true for wicker chairs, sofas or tables, as they tend to be ruined when exposed to direct sunlight for too long.
• If your outdoor furniture is made of wood, consider using appropriate sealing products. Water-repellent solutions can be applied every year (depending on the wood, it may be applied every 2-3 years). Solutions to prevent mildew are also good additional protectors for your furniture.
• Some furniture can be vacuumed every now and then. Make sure to keep it on low, and as always, check the manual for confirmation or ask the manufacturer.
Source URL: http://homeworldfurniture.com.au/en/blog/Outdoor-Furniture--How-to-Take-Care-of-It.html
• Make sure they are built for the outdoors to begin with. Pieces of furniture that are specifically made to be placed outside are made to be tougher and more stain-resistant than their interior counterparts. Be sure that you are not just buying a random sofa and placing it outside. The weather, humidity and other factors may destroy your furniture before you even get to use it.
• Read the manual. This is absolutely important if you want to maintain your furniture. Make sure to follow directions and avoid doing anything that may damage your item (such as using the wrong type of cleaner). Also, take note of the scope of the warranty.
• Be gentle. Use a gentle formula to wash your furniture’s surface. Make use of soft brushes or sponges and pat-dry with a soft cloth (preferably lint-free). Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive brushes, unless they are specifically recommended on the manual.
• If possible, store some items indoors or cover them when they are not in use. This is especially true for wicker chairs, sofas or tables, as they tend to be ruined when exposed to direct sunlight for too long.
• If your outdoor furniture is made of wood, consider using appropriate sealing products. Water-repellent solutions can be applied every year (depending on the wood, it may be applied every 2-3 years). Solutions to prevent mildew are also good additional protectors for your furniture.
• Some furniture can be vacuumed every now and then. Make sure to keep it on low, and as always, check the manual for confirmation or ask the manufacturer.
Source URL: http://homeworldfurniture.com.au/en/blog/Outdoor-Furniture--How-to-Take-Care-of-It.html
