Under Cover: proper care keeps your outdoor furniture as good as new
The outdoor entertaining season extends into crisp fall evenings, yet it's during this time that you should to start prepping your outdoor furniture for colder weather. Winterizing is easy to do and will keep your patio furnishings beautiful for the long term by protecting them from rain, sleet, snow, and winter sun.
When you're ready to winterize, you have a few choices. If you have extra room in a basement, enclosed garage, or shed, you can stow furniture indoors. If storage space is at a premium, high-quality outdoor furniture covers are a viable and simple solution. Plus, covers are convenient to use throughout the year during storms or while on vacation. Covers protect from the elements, as well as keep off dust, dirt, leaves, animals, and other debris.
It's important to properly clean your furniture before storing or covering it. Vacuum or shake off outdoor cushions, spot clean with mild detergent, and let them air-dry thoroughly before storing indoors or in a watertight cushion keeper for winter. Brush loose dirt from tables and chairs, then wash with mild soapy water, if needed (refer to the furniture care instructions below). Once dry, move to storage or affix the covers, and you're finished for the season.
If you choose to use covers, you'll want to take detailed measurements of each piece of furniture to ensure proper fit. Purveyors of better outdoor furnishings typically offer covers that are custom-tailored for each of their collections, which eliminates any guesswork. Regardless, a well-made cover should be made of heavy-duty, water-repellant fabric that protects against moisture damage from rain and snow, and resists cracking in extreme temperatures. You'll want to be sure it has built-in venting that allows air to circulate to prevent mold and mildew growth. Reinforced seams ensure durability, and drawstring ties and/or an elastic hem should securely hold covers in place even on the most blustery days.
Caring for your outdoor furniture before wintry weather sets is an easy process that will extend its life and your enjoyment of it.
Care and Cleaning:
Different materials call for particular methods of care and cleaning. For all types, we recommend the use of furniture covers or inside storage when not in use.
Resin Wicker:
Resin Wicker is made from 100% high-density polyethylene (HDPE) has many positive attributes, including antimicrobial properties that inhibit fungus and mildew growth. It also holds up well in extreme temperatures. That said, a furniture cover to help protect your wicker furniture is highly recommended.
To care for resin wicker, clean with mild detergent. Avoid direct contact with chlorine and salt water. If near salt water, we recommend weekly rinsing with water from hose. You'll want to keep it away from open flames and artificial heat. Avoiding extended periods of direct sunlight—through the use of furniture covers or inside storage—will minimize fading over time.
Teak:
Teak is a close-grained hardwood that is naturally resistant to moisture, repellent to insects, and impervious to the drying effects of weather. Its density creates natural resistance to fungal decay, water, rotting, warping, shrinking, and swelling. These characteristics make teak furniture extremely durable.
Care:
Left to age naturally outside in the elements, teak develops a silver-gray patina. The color change does not affect the durability and strength of the teak, so it can be left alone or it can be revived to its original patina by light sanding and the application of teak oil or teak sealer. Teak sealer lasts longer than teak oil, but needs to be regularly re-applied to provide continuous protection.
Teak can be cleaned with a hose. To remove stains, lightly sand away areas that are stained with fine-grit sandpaper. We recommend high-quality covers, but if you intend to store your furniture indoors, it is best not move teak furniture from the garden straight into a heated indoor room for storage, as the sharp differences in temperature and humidity may cause the wood to split.
Aluminum
Premium-quality aluminum is strong and lightweight. Some aluminum furniture is fully casted; others incorporate both casted and extruded aluminum parts. The best aluminum furniture is made of heavy gauge of our aluminum with superior welding techniques for additional strength, and also is powdercoated to prevent rusting.
Care:
Aluminum furniture should be cleaned periodically using mild soap and lukewarm water. Do not use abrasive cleaners. To extend the life of your aluminum furniture used seaside or near salt water pools, weekly cleaning helps remove the concentrated salt deposits that can lead to finish failure. We also recommend a yearly application of a clear automobile wax for maximum protection.
