Your patio looks quite inviting in the warm rays of the spring sun, doesn’t it?
Whether it is enjoying a cup of coffee on the porch on a fresh spring morning, reading a good book on the patio under the warm rays of the afternoon sun, or having a barbecue in the backyard in the evening, the coming spring weather promises plenty of chances for outdoor fun and relaxation. Many of these delightful activities, however, are simply impossible without the comfort of outdoor furniture – practical and lovely, chairs, tables, benches, garden swings, and other patio pieces add a great deal to the charm and convenience of an outdoor area.
After the long winter months, however, your adorable outdoor furniture may not be in prime condition – rain, snow, wind, rotting leaves, and freezing temperatures might have damaged any pieces left outside and even furniture stored indoors may have been affected by the harsh weather conditions and excessive moisture. Besides, dust, dirt, and grime will have inevitably accumulated on the surface over the long period of non-use.
So, if you want to enjoy the first sunny days of spring relaxing on your patio, you need to spare some time and effort preparing your outdoor furniture for the warm season. It’s not too much of a challenge, actually – all you need to do is revamp the materials, clean the surfaces, and ensure adequate protection.
Sill not sure where to get started? Just follow the simple tips below and you will get your outdoor furniture ready for spring faster and easier than you think.
Inspect your Furniture and Take Corresponding Measures
The first thing to do when you take your furniture out of the shed (or remove the protective covers), is to give it a thorough check. Look for broken parts, chipped edges, dented surfaces, missing feet caps, loose screws, rust patches, mold growth, or other damage to your furniture and take appropriate measures to restore each and every piece to its original condition:
Make sure your patio pieces are in prime condition for the warm season.
- Replace broken or missing parts;
- Fill any cracks in the wood with epoxy putty or wood filler, let dry, and sand the piece;
- Use sandpaper to remove rust from metal pieces;
- Replace screws, nuts, or bolts showing signs of corrosion;
- Tighten loose bolts and screws.
If your outdoor furniture has sustained more severe damage, consider calling professional furniture repair and refinishing services – the experts will have the specialized equipment and rich experience required to efficiently restore your damaged pieces and bring them back to life. What’s more, the specialists will know what cleaning products and restoration techniques are most appropriate for the specific type of furniture you have, so that they will be able to ensure the best possible final results. Your outdoor furniture will also be provided with adequate protection against moisture, UV rays, and other harmful elements as part of the restoration process.
Hiring professionals to take care of your damaged patio furniture is, undoubtedly, your most advantageous option – the experienced craftsmen will ensure not only the gorgeous look and feel of your furniture, but also your piece of mind.
Clean your Furniture Thoroughly
It is absolutely imperative to give your outdoor furniture a good cleaning after the winter. Oftentimes, it may be enough to just beat the dust out of the cushions and covers and wipe down the frames. However, if your furniture needs a more thorough cleaning, you are recommended to:
- Use a soft scrub brush dampened with water and a mild oil-based soap to clean wicker or teak furniture. Rinse thoroughly by hosing down and let dry;
- Wipe metal furniture with a clean cloth dipped in a mixture of water and a mild dish washing detergent. Hose off to remove any loose dirt and cleaner residue;
Your outdoor furniture needs a good cleaning to look shiny and beautiful once again.
- Sponge down plastic furniture with soapy water, then rinse the piece well;
- Vacuum rattan furniture pieces or clean them with a damp cloth to make them look bright and beautiful;
- Oil any aluminum hinges, joints, swivels, and glides;
- Clean fabrics and cushions according to the manufacturers’ instructions. You will be able to remove most of the stains with a solution of mild soap and water. More persistent stains should be treated with a specialized fabric cleaner, dissolved in lukewarm water. Use a soft-bristle brush to loosen the stain and make sure to double rinse the cushions in order to remove any cleaner residue. Give the fabrics enough time to dry completely before putting them on your outdoor furniture;
- Use a dust cloth to clean umbrellas and canopies.
Repairing minor damage and cleaning your lawn furniture when preparing it for spring will help prolong the life of your patio pieces and will ensure the comfort and appeal of your outdoor area. However, there is one more step to take in order to get your outdoor furniture completely ready for the warm season – ensure adequate protection.
Protect your Outdoor Furniture
Early spring is the best time to take some precautionary measures against the harmful effects of the elements:
- Provide appropriate UV protection for your outdoor furniture;
- Use wood oil to protect your wooden pieces and keep them shining (quality oils will also help preserve the natural beauty of the material);
- Apply a coat of rust-resistant paint to your metal furniture pieces. Clean the items well, scrape off old paint, and sand away any signs of corrosion before you start painting. Then, give your metal furniture a coating of rust-inhibiting primer and high quality paint to prevent rusting. You can protect any unpainted surfaces with liquid or paste wax;
- If you have aluminum furniture, it is a good idea to apply some touch-up paint on areas that have worn thin to prevent them from corroding;
- If you have tile, granite, or marble outdoor furniture (such as tabletops, for example), consider re-sealing it after the long winter months. You can make a simple test to know for sure if re-sealing is necessary – just sprinkle some water on the surface and watch it carefully:
The time has come to relax on your patio and enjoy the nice weather!
– If it sinks into the stone, you should re-apply the sealant;
– If it beads up, the existing sealant hasn’t worn out yet.
It is generally recommended to reseal stone furniture that stays outdoors all year round every six months;
- Give your outdoor fabrics a water repellent coating.
Consider applying a polyurethane spray to all your patio pieces – it will give your furniture a smooth coverage and will help protect it from outside elements.
When you mark the last of the above-described preparatory steps as finished, your outdoor furniture will be completely ready for the warm season. All that will be left to do is plan your outdoor fun!
