Caring for Your Outdoor Furniture

As summer is winding down, you'll probably want to take stock of the condition of your deck furniture. Tables and chairs that have been exposed to the elements so far may need a good cleaning and perhaps a few repairs before being stored for the winter.

Wood furniture should be kept under waterproof covers as much as possible. To keep in good shape, use a sealant such as teak oil for hardwood. If possible, don't place the wooden legs directly on grass because the moisture from the ground can rot untreated wood. For ongoing maintenance, wipe down tables and chairs every two weeks with a cloth that's been wrung out from a solution of soapy wood cleaner.

Plastic furniture can be protected against fading and brittleness from excessive heat and abrasive cleaners by washing with a mild, all-purpose cleaner. When white plastic ages, it could turn yellow in color. If your furniture gets to that stage, you can use a mildly abrasive cleaner which helps prevent black grime from getting embedded in the rough edges of the plastic. Soaking such a stain in a strong bleach solution (2 and 1/2 tablespoons bleach to one gallon of water) also helps whiten it but you may not get uniform results. If possible, place the chair so the bleach solution covers an even area and let soak. Finally, rinse the solution off after 30 minutes.

Heavy metal furniture usually has a protective finish so all you need to do is wash it with a cloth dipped in soapy water. If the coasting has begun to wear, you can paint it again with a clear metal varnish. Most cast-iron or wrought-iron outdoor furniture will already have a clear varnish but it will wear over time. To repair, sand the damaged area carefully before reapplying paint or varnish. Then periodically wipe the surface with a soapy cloth and dry thoroughly.