Caring for Your Outdoor Furniture

While today’s outdoor furniture is built for looks and longevity, routine care and maintenance can help keep your outdoor living spaces looking fresh and extend the life of your furniture. Whether your patio set is made of wicker, wood, metal, fabric or a combination of materials, here are some easy care instructions to keep your furniture looking great for years to come.

Teak

Our Kingsley Bate pieces are made from Grade A Teak, harvested from the center of the log - knot-free with a rich golden color and beautiful grain. When used outdoors, teak will gradually adopt a handsome silver-gray patina. This process usually takes nine to twelve months depending on exposure and climate. While some love the natural silver color, others prefer their teak to maintain the honey color, so a teak protectant is applied once each season. This is purely a cosmetic process. The only real maintenance teak furniture requires is periodic cleaning. This can be easily done by first wetting down the furniture, then using a solution of ⅔ cup laundry detergent, ¼ cup of bleach and a gallon of warm water applied with a soft bristle brush to remove dirt and debris. Finish up with a clean water rinse. Pressure washing is not recommended, as it can erode the surface of the timber. 

Wicker

For wicker pieces, such as our Lloyd Flanders Lloyd Loom furniture, we recommend hosing down or wiping clean with a damp sponge. Pressure washing should also be avoided for this type of furniture. For more soiled areas a mild detergent, cold water and soft bristle brush can be used. Rinse well with water and let dry. Lloyd Loom wicker can be repainted as needed, but painting woven vinyl furniture is not recommended. 

Metal

Aluminum, iron and stainless steel can all be wrought and cast from molds or formed into hollow tubing for patio furniture. Because most of these materials except for aluminum are subject to rust, most metal outdoor furniture is coated with layers of clear varnish, paint or powder coating. Cleaning these pieces can be done with a pressure washer using fresh water. For deeper cleaning, refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations on specific cleaning solutions and methods. 

Cushions and Fabric

Most outdoor cushions are made to stand up to the elements, so you shouldn’t have to bring them in every time there’s a shower. Cushions upholstered in Sunbrella or other solution-dyed acrylic fabrics can be cleaned with one cup of chlorine bleach diluted in a gallon of water with a small amount of dish detergent added. Do not, however, use bleach on printed fabrics, and always test out your solution on an inconspicuous spot first. When in doubt, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning, especially for deep set stains. 

Our new collection of outdoor furniture features woven, wicker and teak pieces by Kingsley Bate and Lloyd Flanders. To see our new arrivals, visit our Old Saybrook or Glastonbury showrooms today!