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The American Leather Living Room Aiden Chair blends the classic look of Mid-century style with the scenic outdoors.
Summer’s long gone and with the colder seasons taking center stage, it is time to prepare your patio now for the long hibernation ahead. This is also so that when spring comes, you’d be ready to enjoy the outdoors once again. So how do you keep patio furniture safely tucked this fall and winter?
Rust-free Metals
It is, of course, always best to read the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to taking good care of your outdoors furniture. Most of the aluminum pieces that are out in the market these days have been powder coated. This is so the pieces are kept free from rust.
Experts also suggest that you wash aluminum furniture pieces then apply a single coat of automotive wax. This is a simple and affordable maintenance tip that you can do annually. Touch up if you see any scratches. Use car paint with the right color.
As for wrought-iron pieces, know that you will encounter rust somewhere down the road. You can remove rust accumulation using a wire brush. After this, coat the furniture with an exterior paint that was specifically designed for wrought-iron pieces.
Let dry then cover with tarp that will keep the furniture intact until spring.
Galvanized metal is known to be more durable than regular metal. While this is so, it is not exempted from the eventual rigors of the cold climate. It is always best to keep your metal furniture in a spot where they won’t be exposed to the elements during fall and winter.
All these maintenance steps are necessary to keep the metal furniture from developing rust and eventually weakening.
Stain-free Fabrics
If there are a few fabric pieces in your patio, then you should work extra hard in keeping those mildew, mold, and stain-free throughout the cold seasons. The easiest way to avoid black spots is to shake them off or to vacuum them.
Detergent and bleach mixtures are best for tough stains. A cup of bleach can be used for every gallon of water. You can then add a little detergent. Use these on non-cotton or printed fabrics. For these, just use a simple solution of water and soap.
Clean Cushions
Ain’t it just wonderful to lay down in a cushioned seat during summer? You would want to go back to that lovely feeling once the holidays are over. There are now many outdoor furniture pieces that come with removable cushions.
When not in use, you can store these cushions inside a storage box. Be sure to use the heavy-duty type or you would be left with fabrics that need to be thawed later on.
Additionally, you should store the cushions so they are kept free from mold and mildew. Cover them with plastic or tarp so that dust won’t accumulate while they are awaiting their reuse.
Elegant Natural Materials
One of the most durable types of woods that are often used in patios is teak. It offers an elegant look that just keeps getting better with time. Use specialty oil once each year. For painted woods, be sure to keep them shielded from the sun’s rays. If they remain exposed, you will soon see that they’d lose their color plus the paint would begin to fade as well.
For an all-year-round furniture, be sure to use synthetic wicker or rattans. Paint the areas that are already flaking.
As for wood patio furniture, make sure that they are sealed for the colder seasons. Use a protective sealant to keep your wood furniture from being damaged by moisture. Snow brings with it a lot of moisture which would eventually cause wood cracks. A sealed furniture will not be soaked in moisture.
Do this same thing with raw wood.
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