Organization & Cleaning
How to keep your outdoor furniture in tip-top shape
Image: Robin Stubbert | Design: Viki Mansell
Organization & Cleaning
How to keep your outdoor furniture in tip-top shape
Our care guide will teach you how to keep your patio pieces as beautiful as the day you bought them.
Materials matter
Not all outdoor furniture is created equal. Here's the lowdown on how to maintain some common materials.
Upholstery and fabric
Brush off surface dirt regularly. Spot-clean spills using dish soap and a soft-bristled brush. If possible, remove cushion inserts first; if not, stand them on their sides. Watch for mildew during hot, wet periods; if needed, soak in a mild bleach solution.
Synthetic wicker
Tightly woven plastic cords tend to trap all manner of filth, from dry leaves to dirt. Clean with a low-sudsing soap and a soft-bristled brush, then rinse thoroughly and allow to air-dry.
Powder-coated metal
Debris can cause nicks and scratches in the plastic coating. Over time, the metal will rust if left unprotected, so hose pieces down regularly and keep an eye out for exposed metal; treat with touch-up paint.
Teak
Teak is super low maintenance. Unlike most other woods, it's water-resistant and impervious to rot. It will take on a beautiful silvery hue as time passes and its surface oil evaporates. Once every season, brush off dirt, rinse and allow to air-dry.
Deep clean
Begin and end patio season with a thorough furniture cleanse, and dust and wipe down surfaces regularly throughout the summer. Harsh, uninterrupted UV rays can cause some textiles to fade and plastics to warp, so block the sun with an umbrella or pergola to prolong the life span of your furnishings. And thwart the damaging effects of cold temperatures and moisture in wintertime by storing pieces indoors or using protective covers.
Tool kit
Arm yourself with the essentials to tackle these tasks.
Full Circle Be Good Dish Brush, $9, bedbathandbeyond.ca. Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Dish Soap, $6, mrsmeyers.com. Euroscrubby XL Scrub Pad $14/pkg of 2, euroscrubby.com.
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