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Is That Patio Furniture Set New?
by Wendy Croix
Home Improvement Ideas Columnist
When you purchased your patio furniture set it was because you just fell in love with the design and style. From all of the selection possible you chose this one and now you want it to last. You also want to feel confident enough in your patio furniture set to entertain on it frequently. Here is some advice to keep it looking new for years.
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Proper Cleaning
Whether you have a vinyl, wood, or iron patio furniture set, it has a commercial finish that is designed to protect the furniture from the elements. Solutions like pool chlorine, bleach, and many harsh cleansers can damage the finish. With the protective layer compromised, fading, rusting, and staining can occur. Improper cleaning can reduce the life of your patio furniture set by half. The best method for cleaning your patio furniture set is with a pressure washer. This applies only to the non-fabric portions of course. Padded seats and coverings should be hand cleaned. When using a pressure washer to clean the furniture, it should not be so strong that it moves the pieces about. That much pressure could damage the finish. If washing is necessary, use filtered water and mild soap. As the set ages, you can add a capful of bleach to a gallon of filtered water to remove any stains. Once a year it is a good idea to wax the frames of vinyl furniture with a non abrasive car polish.
Care in Usage
When using patio furniture in conjunction with chlorinated pools, use towels or covers to protect the furniture frame from the chlorine on your wet bodies. Be sure to clear your patio furniture set of leaves and seeds. Many types of foliage contain a substance called tannic acid which can stain or break down the finish. To protect against damage from fallen leaves and seeds, brush off furniture daily and cover when not being used for prolonged periods.
Off Season Storage
When the weather turns cold and you are not using your patio furniture set it is time to give it the final cleaning of the season and bed it down for winter. Before storing the set, ensure that all frames and cushions are clean and dry. Stacking your patio furniture set in a garage or basement is ideal with cushions stacked and wrapped in air tight plastic. Even indoors, be sure to cover your patio furniture set with a lined vinyl cover. Secure the bottoms of the cover with supplied ties or soft rope.
The little extra time you spend keeping your patio furniture set in good shape will keep your friends asking it’s new for years to come.
About the Author
Angelique Gervais owns and operates a graphic design business serving rural areas in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada.
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