Pascale’s Garden

How to Keep Your Outdoor Furniture Clean

Investing in good pieces of furniture is a tough job. It requires discipline, utmost care and deliberate cleaning. Harsh elements such as sunlight, dirt, mildew, breakage, bumps and scratches are just some of the few causes of premature damages of your outdoor furniture. The first step in maintaining them is cleanliness so it is important to regularly check on them to keep track of all these negative elements.

Outdoor furniture are classified by the materials it is made. They can be made of wicker, wood, steel, aluminum or cast iron, and plastics. Each of this material requires distinctive ways of caring and cleaning.

1. Wicker Outdoor Appliances

Wicker Outdoor Appliances are usually painted with latex paints. However, as time goes by, the paint gradually tears off and the furniture began to loose its moisture which is the number one factor for it to sag. Painted outdoor appliances are easy to clean. You need a soft-bristle brush or soft dampened cloth to remove the dust or any unnecessary residue in your furniture. Then, let it dry overnight or until the next day. If stains are hard to remove, the furniture can be repainted. You can attach loose ends with wood glue and make a finishing touch using a good amount of latex paint. Make sure that the paint used matches the original paint color. For better protection you can apply an oil finish.

2. Wood Outdoor Furniture

There are different types of wood that can be used in making outdoor furniture. To know the best suited way of cleaning, consult the American Hardwood Information Center at hardwoodinfo.com. They offer information on suitable cleaners for a specific type of wood furniture and other tips on caring for wood furniture. They are the experts for this kind of cleaning.

In polishing your wood furniture, use lint-free cloth such as cotton. Apply just enough amount of furniture polish on a cloth and rub the surface following the direction of the wood?s grain. Follow the same direction all throughout the polishing for a more defined look. Use one specific type of furniture polish on each type of furniture to prevent smudges and stains.

3. Cast Iron and Steel

Cast iron and steel are two materials that are prone to rust and corrosion. They are often protected with paint and clear finish. You can clean this type of furniture using mild detergents. For a fresher look, you can treat it with car wax. Scratches can be hidden through light coats of paint. Some cast iron is done with ?powder coat? finish. For this kind of finish, the touch-up can only be done by the manufacturer, so you better keep the calling cards for their service.

4. Aluminum

Compare to cast iron, aluminum outdoor furniture are resistant to rust that is formed during the oxidation process. Maintaining its cleanliness will prolong the life of the coating of your furniture. You can hose it down regularly and treat with car wax for a fresh finish.

5. Plastic

Plastic outdoor furniture is the most easy and convenient to maintain. Upon purchase, you can protect stains to sink in it by applying car wax. If stained, it can be removed with mild detergent or dishwashing soap. For hard-to-remove stains, you can try 10 percent bleach solution or water with vinegar.

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Do?s and Don?ts About Your Outdoor Furniture

Although your outdoor furniture may be built and designed to weather the elements, it is still not indestructible and here are some do?s and don?ts about your outdoor furniture.

As outdoor furniture are being subjected to the elements and are actually getting repeated torture and blows from the sun and rain, aside from the fact that it also gets scratched or scraped with occasional bumps and gusts of wind carrying sand or grit particles that can dull a chrome metal finish and can also cause discoloration of paint finish.

Unless necessary steps are taken to protect outdoor furniture from the elements like covering it when not in use or stowing it away indoors during bad weather, it does not require as much care as what is usually being done for indoor furniture.

Outdoor furniture can be as much similar as cars, especially when it comes to protection from the weather, since basically it is subjected to as much pressure as it does under the heat of the sun.

But essentially, outdoor furniture is designed for durability, but prices also has a way of providing that extra heavy-duty protection.
So, it is safe to say that relatively the more expensive outdoor furniture, under standard conditions and quality, are afforded with more protection compared to its less expensive counterparts.

How is it so, taking for example outdoor furniture made of metal. Except for wrought ?iron and stainless steel, metal ?based outdoor furniture, especially the more expensive ones, are painted with an epoxy based primer that protects metal from getting on contact with heat or water that could cause it to corrode and get damaged in time.

So it is best to take note that even if your outdoor furniture is made of metal, make sure to have it protected as well by either covering it when not in use.

It also requires at least hosing it down with soapy water once every two weeks to prevent spills or substances that cling to metal and eventually seep through the metal?s protective covering.

Avoid using cleaning agents not made for your outdoor furniture, unless it is specified in the product label or information.

Cleaning products designed for cleaning outdoor furniture are formulated to make your outdoor furniture last longer and provide protection as well, compared to regular household cleaners.

However, if a standard cleaning formula is also compatible or suitable for materials that make up your outdoor furniture, then you can rest assured that it is safe for use.

Always make it a point to read the product labels or specifications first before using one on your outdoor furniture.

Those that are likely difficult or a bit more challenging to maintain are the fabric cushions that are sually added to accessorize most outdoor furniture.

Although most fabric material used for outdoor furniture cushions tend to resist dust from clinging to the fabric material, moisture and water could still get absorbed into fabric, causing mildew to form in the padding so always keep cushions covered when not in use.

During winter time, make sure to either cover your outdoor furniture or if possible, you can stow away your furniture into the garage until the season passes.

So try and save yourself the money by not having to buy new outdoor furniture simply just by ensuring that your existing outdoor furniture is adequately protected and as long as you know how the do?s and don?ts about your outdoor furniture.

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What Can be the Best Outdoor Furniture

What can be the best outdoor furniture will always be the one that will provide the best comfort and convenience of use.

This is how it should always be considered in the first place, especially if you are somebody who wants to get the best deal for his money and besides, who wouldn?t want to?

Although outdoor furniture has been designed and built to last through tests of time and weather, it is still important to know that keeping it still needs to be kept away from things that could potentially damage it in the long run.

Frankly speaking, the best outdoor furniture that you can have is not the most attractive, most expensive or even made of the most durable material ever used for outdoor furniture.

But the best outdoor furniture that you can ever have is the one that you have ever sold your heart into, the one that you chose that stood out from among the rest, the one that you ever wanted to have and finally it has been like a dream come true as you see it being unwrapped into your patio, garden or backyard.

It is the devotion to care and protection of what you have and cherish most that will determine how you will be able to see to it that what you have sitting at the back of your lawn or balcony is one investment that should be worth protecting.

For those who do not may not have a general idea of how to take care of that long ?cherished outdoor furniture, here are some tips to keep it in tip top shape and make it last for years on end.

Outdoor furniture made of light or water- absorbent materials like fabric, wood- except cedar and teak, and mixed materials may need to be stored indoors or made sure to have it covered when not in use.

This way the elements will not be able to cause damage to the material.
Although cedar and teak are two of the most common yet durable materials used for outdoor furniture, the only concern that you may have in maintaining it would be to simply sand it at least once a year to remove any signs of stressed wood particles that could potentially spread out and damage the entire structure over time.

Cedar and teak wood are both characterized by their durable and hard wood properties that make them ideal materials for wood ?based outdoor furniture.

These two wood materials continue to stay durable as they age, both characterized by retaining a silvery grey color as it ages and in order to make it appear rustic or natural, all that it simply needs is to apply wood stain or dye to help it achieve a more natural look.

But all the same, regardless of whether it is made of wood, metal or plastic, it is still best to keep it away from standing water.
As you know, water can be a corrosive agent for metal and a decomposing agent for organic material like wood, same with fabric and textiles.
Lastly, prevent your outdoor furniture in coming to direct contact with damp soil for extended periods of time.

These are but common tips to protect your hard ?earned and cherished investment and may allow you to may as well keep what can be considered your best outdoor furniture.

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Make the Most Out of Your Outdoor Furniture

Aside from its functionality, you can make the most out of your outdoor furniture by putting it to good use not just for practicality, but for aesthetic and artistic aspects as well.

Knowing how to make the most of the artistic approach of your outdoor furniture, it will require a bit more artistic flair, but sometimes, just having an eye for beauty is enough to make you feel more fulfilled and satisfied with what you have done with your outdoor furniture.

Mixing and matching is one of the most common things you could do with your outdoor furniture, especially in making it an appropriate and attractive fixture in your patio frame.

Just so you have an idea, one of the most common and easily matched material used for outdoor furniture are those made of wood, be it wicker, cedar or teak.

Wood furniture adds a rustic and natural element to your backyard, especially those bedecked with gardens and plants.

Adding accessories like cushions, skirts or mantle pieces also add a bit more southern style to your outdoor furniture.

Wood furniture, especially cedar and teak, may appear grayish in color when aging, especially when subjected to the elements like the sun and the rain, but it does not damage the wood, since these are two of the most durable and weather proof of woods used for outdoor furniture.

To add a bit of a rustic appeal to the seemingly monotonous grayish color, the wood can be stained with wood dyes or tainting varnish to give it a woody and grainy appearance, making it blend with the green surroundings of a wooded or grass covered lawn or garden.

Tables and chairs can also be accentuated with a garden umbrella to make it appear a bit more outdoorsy and also provide you with a canopy when lounging outside the patio or garden during daytime.

On the other hand, for patios or balconies made of concrete or bricks, metal ?based outdoor furniture like alimunum and wrought -iron can be a more compatible option, since metal would be more associated with concrete and stone- made platforms or terraces.

Another good alternative with purely wrought ?iron furniture are using accents made of wood, especially those for the seat area and the backrest, while the wrought -iron fixtures provide the framework for the chair.
This can also be done for the table, where a wood ?carved base can be crafted to serve as the table top secured at the center of the table.
Another good thing about these wood ?carved accents are it can be made to suit your design preferences.

There are pre-fabricated and pre-cast wood designs in many hardware or do-it-yourself stores, or you can also have one made by a custom maker at a much higher cost.

Still, having your own carved designs can be a good thing, especially if you have the flair for the unique and the original, since it is most likely that your designs can be the only one in existence, which cannot only an assurance that you have the lone design of such in existence, but also can be a sense of pride.

Finally, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, so goes the same with your outdoor furniture.

If you can provide protection to your outdoor furniture by making sure that it is carefully and well-maintained, it will last for a very long time, thus help you save costs from buying new sets or replacements in the near future.

So make the most out of your outdoor furniture, you?ll be surprised at how it can help you go a long, long way.

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2009 Trends in Outdoor Furniture

The year 2009 is the time where trend in outdoor furniture is shifting from the mere purpose of relaxation to decoration. People tend to focus more on the aesthetics value. Stylish, creative and carefree designs are in high demand. Tempered glass tops and aluminum frames are just few of the changes happening in outdoor furniture designs. There is also modification in the materials being used as some old materials were hard to maintain especially with extreme weather conditions.

Timber, wicker and aluminum are still immensely used but there are innovative changes for a durable and maintenance-free furnishing. Aside from style, the latest trend in outdoor furniture also brings in a spirit of entertaining and sophisticated outdoor living. Colors are either vibrant or simple but the lines are more defined in tune with the lifestyle preferences.

1. Wicker

A combination of real wicker and a resin material was developed as armor against unpredictable weather conditions. Stylish and comfortable design was launched by Derwent collection, made from durable wicker and rust resistant aluminum. Wicker is known for its extra caring requirement to last for years. A design using a combined material with wicker is an excellent step to upgrade outdoor furniture.

2. Teak

Teak is a hard durable yellowish brown wood of a tall tropical Asian timber tree related the vervains. It is originally used on boats and is easy to maintain with its natural silver gray finish. Its timeless look and durability is one great factor that makes it a good investment.

Another popular design today is the gorgeous and stunning combination of timber and aluminum frame. Warmth and striking contrast of these two materials will make your outdoor living space very modern and warm.

3. Acrylic fabrics

Acrylic fabrics are very in demand today. This is probably because this type of material is easy to maintain in outdoors. Acrylic fabrics doesn?t rot or fade and dries quickly.

4. Aluminum

This material is not just visually appealing but is also easy to move and maintain. Cast and casual aluminum are very common in outdoor furniture designs today. The casual aluminum is hollower tan cast aluminum but both are lightweight and rustproof.

5. Wrought Iron

Gone are the days when you worry so much about wrought iron exposed in heat and other elements outdoors. Aluminum outdoor furniture nowadays doesn?t require frequent repainting. A wide range of colorful cushions are also available to spice up your favorite wrought iron outdoor seating.

6. Lamp

Widely used indoors to create a cozy setting and provide light, lamp is your new wonderful addition to outdoor furniture. Lamp shade comes in waterproof and washable a material which makes it hassle-free to expose to sunlight and rain.

Another popular option for outdoor furniture today is the use of comfortable, weather-resistant fabrics. Your family will surely love innovative and stylish designs like convertible swing and daybed with weather-resistant cushion seat and pillows. Decorative gazebo now also comes with durable galvanized steel and heavy duty polyester cover. Basking in the sun is fun with their do-it-yourself assembly.

An outdoor shower made of hardwood with chromed brass fittings is also a great addition to your outdoor collections. The shower is easy and convenient to use, all you need to do is connect the garden hose to it. This outdoor accessory is perfect in swimming pools.

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