subject: Tips For Outdoor Furniture Upkeep [print this page] Outdoor furniture is designed to be protected under the elements. The wooden designs have a special coating that prevents them from rotting away under even the harshest weather. The metal designs are protected from erosion and rusting often accompanied with the older models. We commonly use to see this rust on old picnic tables and benches. With todays technology though, these nuances are a thing of the past. Of course you still need to do your part to ensure the longevity of your outdoor furniture.
After a bad storm, you should wipe down your furniture of any wetness or moisture. Remove any sticks or leaves that are wedged in the webbing of your wicker furniture. Plan ahead, by looking at the weather reports. If you know a storm is coming consider covering your furniture with plastic sheets and weighing them down with weights. Make sure the plastic sheets fit snuggly. If there are strong winds, the plastic sheets may blow away. If your outdoor furniture is not too heavy, consider bringing them into the garage when a storm is coming. It is also a good idea to bring them into the garage during the winter time. Simply covering them with a plastic over the winter is not a good idea. That will cause wear and shorten the life of your furniture. Finally, no matter what the weather is, you should wipe down your furniture at least once a week.
Some protective sprays are also available on the market to help prolong the life of your patio furniture. If you use spray, be sure to spray it outdoors. You do not want to be breathing in toxic fumes while spraying in your garage. Dust your outdoor table daily to maintain that nice look. These tips will prolong the life and wear of your outdoor furniture.
Do not neglect your outdoor grill. Be sure to wipe your unit once per week as well. Those grills are real rust magnets. Most of the grills today come with nice covers to protect from dirt and grime that normally build up. Do not cover the grill while it is still hot. In fact it is recommended that you do not cover the grill for at least twelve hours after use so that you do not melt the cover to the grill. What a mess that is! Finally make sure your gas tank is shut off after each use. Wipe down your gas tank as well.
