NATURAL WOOD

As the snow begins to melt and temperatures rise it will soon be time to pull out our outdoor furniture for a good spring cleaning and prepare for some summer al fresco dining.  Where to start?  Check out our WLDflora Hort Care Clean + Care Guide checklist below: 

1;         Furniture Covers There are protective covers available for most lines of furniture. 

2.         Weather Resistant Woods The key to longevity of outdoor wood furniture is find 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.

3.         How to Clean Outdoor Furniture A moistened cloth with water or a mild soap solution is best when cleaning your outdoor furniture.  For tougher stains or mold a soft scrub brush with a mix of dishwasher solution or oxygen bleach may be required. 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 afterwards.

4.         Silver Patina for Outdoor Furniture Most woods left untreated will develop that silver weathered patina – if that’s the look that you are looking for. Due to the natural rot resistance of the wood they will require little to no maintenance or upkeep.

5.         Sealants To keep your wood furniture looking like new, it can be treated with several different kinds of sealants to preserve the color or look that you desire as well as provide protection. To apply a sealant, you will need to first wash and lightly sand your furniture. Please consult the manufacturers recommendations on your products.  

Care and Cleaning Tips

• Always start with a light cleaning, sweeping surfaces as needed with a soft brush or cloth.

• Non-detergent liquid soap is best used when cleaning outdoor furniture. It will clean but not harm your furniture. 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 cleaning.

• Sunscreens and bird droppings can be particularly damaging and cause permanent stains and corrosion. They should be cleaned off as soon as possible

• Consider covering your furniture when not in use for long periods of time or during long bouts of inclement weather.

Cleaning will extend its life and make maintenance easier after the outdoor season begins again. Use breathable covers to avoid creating a mold incubator.

• If you live in an area with especially harsh winter weather, consider storing your furniture indoors or building a storage bin/shed.

 Wicker Furniture Care

Here’s everything you need to know about caring for your outdoor wicker furniture:

Wicker is a word used to describe nearly any woven material.  Generally outdoor wicker furniture falls into two categories: natural and man-made fibers. Wicker furniture is usually made from weaving flexible rattan, twigs or other thin branches, or manmade fibers.  How to care for and clean wicker furniture:

1.      Natural Fibers The most common natural fiber wicker furniture is made from rattan reeds or paper fiber rush. Some are left in their natural finish, while others are painted or treated with some type of clear coating. Natural wicker should be indoors or under a covered garden element away from inclement weather. If exposed to the elements rattan will eventually rot the fibers causing the furniture to decay, collapse or break after a period of time.   Painted wicker; exposed to the weather may cause the paint to get damaged and peel or flake off as well.  The best way to keep wicker clean is to use a vacuum with the brush attachment or a hand held brush to remove surface dirt and dust.  Spills or stains can be washed with a dampened cloth, mild soap and water. In case mildew has formed, wipe the wicker with a mixture of vinegar and water followed with a dampened cloth. Untreated reed wicker can be rinsed with a hose and left in the sun to dry, but paper wicker should never be sprayed with water. We recommend avoiding excess water as best possible as it can get trapped in the cracks and crevices of the furniture and create a mold and mildew issue. 

2.      Man-made Weatherproof Fibers Wicker woven with resin fibers, (plastics), can be left outside year-round and they are highly resistant to mildew, fading, staining, and cracking. Dirt and debris can be prevented by placing a cover over the furniture during periods of non-use to reduce cleaning when you head back outdoors. Like natural wicker you can vacuum or use a dry, clean brush to dust the furniture. For deeper cleaning, spray with a hose and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Avoid letting water stand on the surface.

 How to Care for Metal Patio Furniture

SPRING is around the corner its time to liberate our outdoor furniture from storage and give it a good once over for the summer months ahead.  Here’s our guide to cleaning and caring for metal furniture:

1.      Furniture Covers Do not protect your treated metal furniture with a plastic tablecloth. It can trap water, humidity, and heat that can damage the finish and metal over time.

2.      Metal Furniture Basics Metal can last a lifetime and is considered the most durable material for outdoor furniture - if taken care of it properly. Most metal outdoor furniture is finished with paint, varnish, or powder coating to prevent rust. However, it is recommended for use in areas other than places near salt water due to oxidation which causes pitting and can dull the finish - aluminum will not rust. 

*If you do like that rusty, earthy, Tuscany colored steel look try some Corten steel products to accent your gardens.

3.      Soaps & Cleaners Metal furniture is best cleaned with a wet cloth or sponge using water and mild, non-detergent soap – then wiped dry. Abrasive scrubbers or cleaners should not be used as they can scratch the finish, potentially exposing the metal to rust-inducing moisture. For ingrained dirt, use window cleaner or a non-abrasive multi-purpose cleaner. Keep an eye out for scratches or any signs of rust, especially at furniture joints. Apply touch-up paint to scratches to prevent rust. If rust or mold is present, sand the area lightly using fine-grit sandpaper and apply rust-proof touch-up paint if available. To remove oxidization from aluminum furniture, use a solution of equal parts of white vinegar and water; avoid alkaline cleaners that may cause oxidation.

Rust vs. Patina Our WLDflora Hort Care General Outdoor Furniture Care and Cleaning Tips:

• Always start with a light cleaning, sweeping surfaces as needed with a soft brush or cloth.

• Non-detergent liquid soap will clean without harming your furniture or use water and white vinegar for tougher stains and mildew.

• Read the manual. Unless you inherit or purchase vintage pieces, outdoor furniture should come with instructions.

• Sunscreens and bird droppings should be cleaned off as soon as possible. They are particularly damaging and can lead to permanent staining and corrosion.

• Consider covering your furniture when not in use for long periods of time. This will extend the life of your furniture and make cleaning easier after the outdoor season begins again. We recommend breathable covers to avoid creating a mold.

• For best protection from inclement weather we suggest storing your furniture indoors or an outdoor storage bin/shed - if possible.