Over a period of time, weather — bad or good — can do a lot of damage to your patio furniture. A little precipitation, too much wind, or excessive sun can all affect the look and durability of your expensive patio furniture. Regardless of the type of patio furniture you use, it’s important to know how to care for it, so it lasts through the years. Below, we’ve listed a few tips to help you protect the furniture in your outdoor living space.
Keep it clean: Even if all your furniture pieces are covered, they will collect dust if you don’t clean them once in a while. Every couple of weeks, pick a sunny day and wash your furniture with warm water and mild dish soap. If you spot any built-up grime, use a sponge and hose to rinse it away. Let your furniture dry out in the sun before replacing the cushions or moving the pieces to a shady spot.
Protect your cushions: Cushions are great for uncomfortable wrought iron or wicker chairs, but they can easily be ruined by precipitation and sun bleaching. To clean your cushions, give them a wash every week. Let them air dry fully, and then spray a fabric protector on top. When you aren’t using your outdoor space, store the cushions somewhere cool and dry.
Bonus tip: Spray the protector on a small piece of fabric to make sure that it won’t discolor or stain the cushion.
Store your furniture during the off-season: Unless you live in a region where the weather is pleasant and sunny all year round, you’ll need to store your outdoor furniture carefully during the off-season. During heavy downpours, use a cover to protect your furniture pieces and keep your cushions from getting soaked. Extremely cold weather and snow can significantly reduce the lifespan of your furniture pieces, while proper storage will help them last years. You can store your patio furniture in a garage or shed or a storage facility if you don’t have space within your property. Just make sure to clean and dry your items before you stow away your furniture so they are in good condition when sunny days come back.