Caring for Your Patio Furniture

Maintenance of furniture is necessary to make it lasts longer.  However, the upkeep differs depending on the material used specifically if it is located in your patio.

Maintenance of fabrics for patio furniture, cushions and umbrellas is not a tiring and difficult task.  There is no need for you to clean it often although you need to observe some tender loving care.

It is essential to cover your cushions when they are not being used.  It would also be wise to remove them when winter is worst and bring them out when the weather is better.

For fabrics

For patio fabrics, choose those that are resistant to weather as well as mold and give them a wash occasionally.

• Use the gentle cycle of the machine when washing patio furniture fabrics.
• Bleach those that are in white color.
• Hang them outside to dry.
• Stretch back over the frame chair covers to avoid them from getting smaller

 For acrylic cushions

• Remove them from the frame first.  Have a mixture of soap and water to clean the area and finally rinse it with water.
• Make sure that you dry them totally prior to storing them, as mildew can build up if they are kept when they are still a little moist.
• If you see any mildew build up, mix a cup detergent soap, a cup of bleach and 1 gallon of water.  Mix them carefully and spray it on the entire cushion.  Wear goggles to protect your eyes from the spraying solution.  Let the mixture stand for 30 minutes before scrubbing it with a rag.  Rinse it with water and let it dry totally.
• Keep the cushions as is.  Do not attempt to wrap or put them in plastic.  The latter will cause mildew to the cushion.

For umbrellas

If you have umbrellas, give its covering an occasional wash and oil its frame to safeguard it from rust.

• Make a mixture of cold water and mild soap and use a brush with soft bristles
• Buy some spray lubricants (from hardware stores) to oil the frame of umbrella.

How to Choose the Perfect Patio Furniture Materials

You may find that choosing patio furniture is quite taxing especially that there are a myriad of selections to choose from. Almost anyone would consider appearance as the prime factor in choosing patio furniture. However, similarly essential are comfort, durability, use, etc. just like design and style. A patio is an additional room in your house and therefore should mirror the same mode you have inside your abode.

Equally essential are the materials your patio furniture is made of. It can spell the distinction amid getting pleasure from your patio furniture set for one or two years or for a longer period of time. It is best to evaluate the various components that your patio furniture will be exposed to prior to selecting your patio set.



You may want to have a wood furniture ensemble. Wood may be simple but it could also bring out a sophisticated touch. Teak wood furniture is the best when it comes to strength. Teak wood may survive through strong weather changes. It does not perish easily and inhibits presence of bacteria. It is simple to take care of and comes in various attractive designs.



Metals are also good for patio furniture. They are especially made to resist rust and corrosion. Iron and steel are perfect if you want greater stability and may go along around watery areas.



Aluminum, on the other hand, is much better as it is economical, stylish, and flexible. Aluminum has this unique ability to resist rust and corrosion because of its innate shield-forming characteristic when out in the air. You only need to wash it with soap and water to keep it clean too.

There are two main kinds of aluminum furniture. You may have the furniture to be made of full metal or have metal frameworks with fabrics or rattan woven onto them for a more unique set-up. Both types are durable for a long time but if you are after more comfort, better choose the second one.