Love & Care | Outdoor furniture

How to care for your outdoor furniture.

To Outdoor furniture needs to be maintained often to keep it looking great season after season. The life of your patio furniture largely depends on its care. With a few easy preventive measures, you can prevent or at least delay having to deep clean your outdoor furniture, and keep it clean and maintain its durability.

Maintenance
Regularly tighten all hardware to avoid loosening which can lead to bolt failure and product breakage. Replace missing hardware (remove product from use until repaired). Regularly tighten the headrest bolts on chaise lounges and recliners. Confirm movement is smooth without binding and that ratchets engages properly at each position.

Although many outdoor fabrics and woven frames are mildew resistant, exposure to the outdoor elements can result in mildew and mold forming. This is why it is so important to clean your outdoor furniture often. The life of outdoor furniture can be extended by simply rinsing down the patio furniture regularly with water.

How to clean outdoor Fabric

• Brush off dirt and clean all spills immediately to avoid embedded stains.
• To remove basic stains on cushions, spot clean your outdoor fabric with ¼ cup mild dish soap and 1 gallon of water (never use bleach on outdoor fabric). If a more general cleaning is needed, gently wash the furniture using a sponge with a solution of mild detergent and water.
• Hose off your cushions as needed to remove dirt, debris and any soap residue.
• Allow at least 24 hours for wet cushions to dry (never use a hairdryer or steamer on your cushions or put them in the dryer).
• Bring your cushions inside or to a protected area when not in use. If bringing your cushions inside to store is not an option, tilt and angle your cushions on the seat after use AND after rainfall. Do not submerse or allow cushions to lie in standing water. This is the most important “TIP” of all. When you angle the cushions it allows for the water to fully drain out of the core and the fabric, and allows for the cushions to fully dry. Doing this after rainfall will greatly reduce the potential for retaining water in the cushion which is the biggest culprit for mildew.
• Use outdoor furniture covers when not in use.
• Cushions used under trees should be kept free of natural debris -- the second biggest culprit for mildew after standing water.
• For a deeper cleaning, mildew and heavy stains can be removed with a quality commercial outdoor furniture cleaner and protectant. Always test in an inconspicuous location first and always follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
• Re-treat outdoor fabrics after deep cleaning or every 5 years (303 High Tech Fabric Guard™ recommended).

Important:

• Do not dry clean or use a washing machine or dryer.
• Do not steam, use heat nor use hot water at temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit when washing.
• Be careful to keep cleaning products for other than fabrics from contact with the cushions, as these products may cause discoloration.
• Do not use chlorine based cleaners in general.
• Do not use bleach or bleach solutions on printed acrylic fabrics unless specifically listed as a cleaning agent for the specific fabric, such as for solution dyed acrylics.
• Do not use solvent-type materials on woven vinyl, woven blend or ultra-woven blend fabrics as they will damage the yarns.
• Do not use harsh detergents or stiff bristle brushes.
• Do not use Pine Oil cleaners or abrasive household cleaners.

Some suntan and sun block products may be harmful to fabrics such as Resin, Suncloth cushions, Versatex mesh and vinyl lace and straps and can permanently discolor it. Do not allow such products to come in contact with any seating surfaces to avoid deep, penetrating stains. If contact is made, cleaning the fabric immediately with a non-abrasive, mild soap and water solution followed by a fresh water rinse may minimize the possibility of discoloration.