It's official: spring is here. That means it's time to drag the outdoor furniture from hibernation or, if you live in sunnier climes, add it to your spring cleaning list to get ready for dining al fresco. Don't know where to start? Here's our cheat sheet on how to clean and care for outdoor wood furniture.
Stay tuned—in the coming weeks, we'll tackle tips for metal, wicker, and plastic furniture (plus a special report on how to clean and care for outdoor fabrics). In the meantime, consult our checklist of General Cleaning Tips below:
Above: Weathered teak and metal outdoor furniture dusted off and ready for spring. (See how the Gardenista Team planted this patio.) Photograph by John Merkl.
Furniture Covers
Above: A Veranda Patio Chair Cover is available in four sizes at prices starting at $34.99 from The Living Quarters. Inexpensive generic outdoor furniture covers are also plentiful through Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe's, and other furniture retailers.
Protective covers are often available for specific lines of furniture, such as Brown Jordan's Lounge Chair Cover and Custom Fit Outdoor Furniture Covers from Restoration Hardware, for an exact fit.
Weather Resistant Woods
Above: Designer Piet Hein Eek's Wooden Garden Bench is made from recycled materials. For more, see 10 Easy Pieces: Garden Benches.
The key to longevity of outdoor wood furniture is to start with good quality pieces made with wood that is appropriate for outdoor use. Teak, cedar, white oak, and even the less expensive acacia woods are naturally rot resistant and durable enough to withstand all kinds of weather conditions.
Routine Cleaning
Above: Photograph by Erin Boyle.
Light cleaning of wood outdoor furniture is best done with a cloth moistened with water or a mild soapy solution. For deeper cleaning at the start and finish of each season or in the instance of tougher stains or mold, you can scrub with a soft brush and a mix of water and dishwasher detergent or oxygen bleach. Scrub in the direction of the wood grain. Remove challenging stains by lightly sanding (again, with the direction of the grain) and rinsing the surface.
A Silvery Patina
Above: Weathered teak loungers with a silvery patina tucked amid the greenery of Vanity Fair art director Julie Weiss’ Manhattan Garden. Photograph by Nicole Franzen for Gardenista.
Above: The maintenance needs of outdoor wood furniture primarily depends on the look you're after. Left untreated most woods develop a silver weathered patina, and because of their natural rot resistance, require little upkeep.
Sealants
Above: From Scandinavian design house Skargaarden, a 79-inch teak Djuro Trestle Table has a slatted top and is $2,700 from Horne.
If you want to keep the wood looking like new, it can be treated with a sealant to preserve the color and provide added protection. Generally sealants need to be reapplied every few years depending on weather conditions and wear and tear. To do so you will need to wash, sand, and reapply the sealant. Consult the manufacturer for recommended products.
Above: A Preserved Teak Folding Chair and a Preserved Teak Dining Table are available from Terrain. For more, see The Gardenista 100: Teak Dining Tables.
Care and Cleaning Tips
- Always start with a light cleaning, sweeping surfaces as needed with a soft brush or cloth. Then assess if further care and cleaning is needed.
- When it comes to cleaning products for outdoor furniture, non-detergent liquid soap (think dish soap) is your friend. It will clean but not harm your furniture and its environs. For tougher stains and mildew, use water and white vinegar.
- Read the manual. Unless you inherit or purchase vintage pieces, outdoor furniture should come with instructions about care and feeding.
- Sunscreens and bird droppings should be cleaned off your furniture as soon as possible. They can be particularly damaging and cause permanent stains and corrosion.
- Consider covering your furniture when not in use for long periods of time (and during long bouts of inclement weather). Even if it can stand up to the elements, cleaning will extend its life and make maintenance easier after the outdoor season begins again. And, use breathable covers to avoid creating a mold incubator.
- If you live in an area with especially harsh winter weather, try storing your furniture indoors if possible.
Are you considering an outdoor furniture purchase? See some of our favorite pieces at:
- 10 Easy Pieces: Picnic Style Dining Tables.
- Budget Friendly Unfinished Wood Furniture.
- 10 Easy Pieces: Outdoor Folding Chairs.
- The Gardenista 100: Best Rattan Lounge Chairs.
More Stories from Gardenista