Blog | Furniture Maxi
Get Jubilee Weekend-ready with these front garden upgrades
Get Jubilee Weekend-ready with these front garden upgrades From 2nd-5th June this year, the nation is set to enjoy an extended long weekend in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Celebratory events are springing up all over the country, and street gatherings and garden parties are sure to be a common sight throughout the UK. We know that most people usually spend time outside in their back garden, not their street-facing front garden space. In fact, the Royal Horticultural Society say that over five million front gardens in the UK have no plants growing in them at all, as a result of people paving over their unused garden space to make it easier to manage. But with Jubilee weekend on the horizon, people all over the nation are preparing to bring out deck chairs and bunting to front yard spaces so that garden parties and street parties can join together in celebration. If you’re planning a Jubilee garden gathering of your own, the good news is that there are plenty of easy front garden upgrades you can use to impress the neighbourhood, whether your space is green, grey or gravel. Need to get Royal Ready for June? Here’s how. Add potted plants for easy-to-relocate colour If your front garden is normally used for parking, we know you won’t want to decorate with anything that can’t be removed once the festivities are over. That’s where potted plants come in. Whether you favour bright colours or lush green foliage, a few potted plants can bring an immediate visual boost to grey or unloved front garden spaces. Opting for red, white and blue blooms is a failsafe way to bring Jubilee spirit to your garden, and there are plenty of seasonal British flowers to scout out. In late May and early June, forget-me-nots and cornflowers will bring a splash of blue to your pots, while roses and sweet peas can be found in red and white varieties. Position pots around your front door for framing, and dot in empty corners to give a bright and welcoming feel. Once Jubilee weekend has passed, you can either leave in place or relocate the plants to your back garden – or even give away as gifts! Upgrade your outdoor dining arrangements If a few years of lockdowns haven’t already driven you to invest in an outdoor dining upgrade, Jubilee weekend is as good an excuse as any. From switching out flimsy picnic plates to replacing cracked plastic sun chairs, one simple way to give your garden party an uplift is to do away with the unloved items stored deep in cupboards and sheds, and invest in fresh new outdoor tableware and seating. There are plenty of brands now offering luxury outdoor tableware, from break-resistant wine glasses to colourful melamine serving sets. With options for every budget, this is a straightforward way to polish up your public party setting. Equally, if you’re planning to lounge in the sun and watch the festivities throughout the day – and you’d like to keep guests comfortable too – an outdoor sofa could be just what you need to quickly turn your front garden from wasted space to cosy hangout. Our rattan sofas are designed to last for years to come when properly cared for, so you can relocate them to your back garden or patio after Jubilee weekend. Use Royal gardens as design inspiration If you’re planning to go all-in and want something more than a stylish lounge space and a little extra colour, take inspiration from Royal gardens at destinations like Hampton Court Palace. Manicured lawns, trim topiary and historic statues may not seem like something you can recreate in a front garden – not least because many UK front gardens are only the size of a parking space. But with the help of a roll or two of artificial turf, potted buxus bushes and a carefully-placed ornament or two, you can create your own Hampton Court Palace in a small space and on a small budget. With rolls of artificial grass starting at around £5 online, small buxus bushes at £15 and small garden statues at around £40, we’d estimate that you could recreate a Royal feel for between £100-200 depending on the finished look you’re after. Other inspiration It wouldn’t be a classic British garden party without plenty of bunting. To socialise late into the evening, wind fairy lights around your bunting before or after hanging, so that you can switch on a little sparkle as the sun goes down. We’ve previously researched the best places in the UK to host or attend a garden party based on average summer sunshine and rainfall, with Bristol and Southampton coming out top, but don’t worry too much if your home town or city didn’t make the top 10. June is typically one of the driest months of the year in the UK bar July and August, and though warmer temperatures aren’t at their peak, you can expect a mild to warm climate for the Platinum Jubilee weekend. If you’re planning a community celebration for the Platinum Jubilee, why not add it to the event map so that your neighbours can join the fun? Or, just find events in your area at https://platinumjubilee.gov.uk/events/
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Rattan vs. Bamboo Furniture - What is the Difference?
Rattan vs. Bamboo Furniture - What is the Difference? Rattan and Bamboo are two common natural materials used in household furniture, garden furniture, wicker furniture, cane furniture, and patio furniture. Although rattan and bamboo are vastly different materials, many people confuse the two and often use rattan and bamboo interchangeably. However, both materials come from different sources and are inherently different plants. If you’re unsure about the difference between bamboo vs. rattan, then we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you clear any misconceptions about the two most commonly used natural materials for indoor and outdoor furniture. Read ahead to find out more. Differences Between Rattan and Bamboo Furniture Although rattan and bamboo often make similar wicker products and furniture, various fundamental differences set the two materials far apart. Some of the main differences are as follows: Bamboo is a lot stiffer than rattan and does not bend easily. Rattan, on the other hand, is more flexible and can bend. Although bamboo is often grouped with hardwoods, especially when it comes to flooring, it is grass. However, it is used for similar applications are hardwoods since it is harder than mahogany. Although rattan is also rigid, it undergoes a steaming process that makes it pliable. Bamboo is hollow inside, whereas rattan has a solid internal structure. Bamboo is a type of grass and grows vertically like a tree. On the other hand, Rattan is a vine and has a creeping vine structure. Bamboo can be grown with ease and is found worldwide, especially in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. On the other hand, Rattan is typically found in tropical rain forests and regions such as Africa, Asia, and Australia. The largest grower of bamboo happens to be China, whereas Rattan is most commonly grown in Indonesia. Key Points About Rattan Furniture Rattan is a solid climbing palm famous for its use in wicker furniture. Although rattan is produced in numerous tropical rain forests, Indonesia is its central growing region and exporter. Indonesia accounts for nearly 80% of the raw products of rattan. Rattan is quite pliable, so craftsmen can create bends and curves while weaving wicker furniture. Therefore, when looking at wicker furniture, if you notice that there are a lot of curves and the furnishing has small intricate pieces as well, it is most likely made from rattan. Since bamboo does not bend easily, wicker furniture that seems bendable under slight pressure is likely rattan. Rattan is a great material of choice for furniture and home decor because of its fast growth rate, eco-friendly nature, and economical price. We also have some fabulous ideas for decorating rattan furniture in our previous blog. Key Points About Bamboo Furniture Bamboo is a robust and stiff type of plant that belongs to the grass family. Although it is grass, it is often grouped with hardwoods as it can surpass some of the strongest woods in its hardiness. Some species of bamboo can even outperform steel when it comes to tensile strength. Bamboo grows fast and is ready to be harvested in 3 to 5 years. It is produced in abundance worldwide and is a renewable, eco-friendly source of natural material that can be used for interior design and furniture making. Its earthy colour palette and boho look make bamboo a top choice for a rustic interior design. Bamboo is relatively easy to grow and does not require pesticides, fertilisers, or irrigation. The plant also helps to stabilise oxygen and carbon dioxide balance as it produces more oxygen than trees and sequesters carbon dioxide. As a result, bamboo is quickly gaining recognition as one of the best natural materials for making cost-effective, eco-friendly furniture. Uses of Bamboo Furniture Bamboo has a wide variety of usages. These include: Making Furniture Bamboo is used in numerous types of furniture, including wicker-type furniture. It is a robust and hardy material that can produce sturdy furniture. It is most commonly used for making indoor furniture such as a coffee table and garden furniture. Making Infrastructures In many countries, including India and China, bamboo is used to make reinforcement of roads and for building bridges as well. Housing More than one billion people worldwide live in houses made of bamboo. Just 70 hectares of bamboo can produce up to 1000 houses. Bamboo is a cost-effective and quick solution to the global housing issue. People also use bamboo to make scaffolding, here’s a video detailing how. As Medicine Bamboo has numerous medicinal properties and treats kidney diseases, certain types of cancers, asthma, venereal diseases, and bone diseases. As Textiles and Paper Bamboo is processed into a fibre that makes clothing, rugs, nappies, and paper. This video shows you how to make paper out of bamboo. Uses of Rattan Rattan has numerous other uses besides its obvious use as one of the most popular natural materials for furniture. These include: Food In some rattan species, the shoots, as well as the inner core, are edible. Housing Rattan is used to build shelters and houses in rural areas. Handicrafts Rattan is an excellent material to use for making handicrafts. This is why it is used frequently for making wicker baskets. Dye material Rattan plant has a red resin exudate which can be used to make red dye. This exudate is known as dragon’s blood and was used for dying violins. Medicinal uses Dragon blood exudate has medicinal properties as well. Furthermore, rattan is also used in an innovative process known as “wood to one” that is used to make artificial bone. Conclusion Bamboo and rattan are excellent natural, sustainable materials with numerous vital properties and uses. However, there is a common misconception that rattan and bamboo are the same material. Rattan and Bamboo come from different plants and are entirely different species with differing properties. However, some of their uses are similar, so most people confuse the two materials quite often.
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What Is The Best Furniture For A Conservatory?
What Is The Best Furniture For A Conservatory? Building a conservatory in your house can be one of the best decisions you make for your home. This particular room is a family favourite and often serves as an escape from the hustle-bustle of the rest of the house. A conservatory makes the best of both the indoor and outdoor ambience. It can help you be closer to nature, relax and unwind after a long day’s work, get some quiet time in observing the great outdoors, and soak in some much-needed sunlight. A conservatory can double as a garden room, living room, dining room or even just a reading room, depending on how you furnish it. However, the way you design your conservatory has a significant impact on the aura of the space. A well thought out space will have an inviting atmosphere so that you always look forward to spending more time in that area. Before buying furniture for your conservatory, ensure that you have a design plan or theme in mind for how you want the conservatory to look. We’ve compiled a guide of the most important factors to consider when designing and furnishing your conservatory. So read ahead to find out how to optimise your conservatory’s interior design. Things To Consider When you’re planning on converting your conservatory into the room of your dreams, there are a few things you have to consider. These factors are essential in creating excellent living spaces transforming your conservatory into a functional and comfortable room. Light One of the most crucial elements you have to consider when furnishing your conservatory is incorporating the maximum amount of lighting. Your conservatory’s design and its intended use can dictate how much artificial light you should use and where you should place it. For starters, you want to incorporate as much natural light as possible. For this, you must ensure that no large furniture pieces are blocking the glass walls of the conservatory and obstructing direct sunlight. Most conservatories have at least one solid wall, so if you want to place tall furniture, make sure it is against a concrete wall instead of a glass wall or window. When playing with natural light, it is essential to think about the colour scheme of your furniture as well. Light furniture and upholstery help reflect light and keep the whole room looking bright. At the same time, darker furniture options may restrict light and make the room look gloomy. Although you can add a few contract furniture pieces such as a dark footstool, or armchairs, ensure they are placed to create balance all over the room. There are numerous dark and light furniture options that you can vary to make a modern conservatory room while still giving an overall comfy vibe. You can place artificial light around the conservatory in the form of standing lamps and more miniature floor spotlights. If you have a glass roof, putting artificial lights on it could be challenging. However, you can always use an LED strip on the top of your conservatory. If the roof is tiled, you can treat it like any other room in the house and add appropriate ceiling lights. Adding pendant lights creates a focal lighting area around the room. Space Utilising the space in your conservatory well is of utmost importance, especially if you have a small conservatory. You can add some comfortable but light furniture pieces to your conservatory to maintain adequate space using a minimalistic design. A cramped conservatory may be overwhelming and give some individuals a cluttered, untidy appearance. To avoid this, space your furniture out and create various nooks such as an armchair, footstool and a standing lamp in the corner as a reading area. Or you can create a central zone, such as the main seating area with your sofa set in the middle, a nice rug, a coffee table and a side table or two next to the couches. This arrangement makes the room look comfy but not overcrowded. Ensure there is adequate walking space and that your furniture does not hinder movement around the room. You can even add small decorative pieces to your conservatory that can be placed on the tables to add character to your room without restricting space. To increase space for decorative purposes or functionality, you can add shelving to the solid wall in your conservatory. Functionality As with all rooms, you want to make sure that the conservatory in your house is functional and usable. Use the right furniture and place it strategically to create a livable comfy space no matter what type of room it is. After all, your conservatory is likely to be one of the most used rooms in the house. If your conservatory is supposed to have a dining area in the room, ensure that the dining table is not too large to make the room appear cramped but not too small either to be unusable. It should ideally seat at least 4-6 people so that your family and guests can use it. By utilising the central space as a seating area, you can create a comfortable living room space. First, however, make sure the room furniture and the sofa set you use are comfortable and ample space for lounging for your family and friends. For example, if you have a small sofa set, you can add some armchairs to create more seating space. Add cosy corners to your conservatory. Such as a reading nook with a comfortable corner sofa and ample lighting, preferably next to a glass wall. All these elements will help make your conservatory functional so that it can be used frequently. You must also ensure that your conservatory is completely weatherproof. Since there can be some space between the glass walls and their joints, water can seep in causing damage to your conservatory furniture. Style The best part of owning a conservatory is styling it to look elegant. Because of their design, a conservatory is naturally quite an elegant room and is therefore easy to style. However, choosing a theme and using furniture sets and decor according to it will help make the room look well put together and add charm. Whether you go for an Edwardian look or create a modern conservatory, you can have it all with this versatile room. For example, you can use a seater sofa and furniture sets in a neutral colour scheme for an Edwardian look. Incorporating wooden furniture pieces will also give the space a graceful old-timey charm. You can use modern furniture with glass and metal components and unique shapes that draw the eye for a more modern look. Do not overcrowd the space and use a less is more approach when it comes to furnishing. Add statement pieces that can elevate the room while keeping the rest of the decor and furniture set relatively simple. Adding minimalistic decor pieces or furniture such as a strategically placed and well-designed coffee table or side table can tie the whole look together. The art you use in the room can set the room's tone. For this reason, choose your art according to the room’s theme. Although hanging paintings may be challenging because of the numerous glass walls, you can hang them on the solid wall. Comfort One thing you should focus on while considering furniture options for your conservatory is comfort. Your conservatory should be comfy enough for you to unwind in it during any time of the day. There are many ways of making a room comfortable, and most rely upon using the right furniture. To achieve this, add cushions and throws to your furniture and have soft rugs near the seating space. In addition, ensure the sofa sets are well padded and comfortable to sit on. You can even add candlelights to your room and keep the lighting slightly dull to give a peaceful atmosphere. Furthermore, if the temperatures in your area tend to drop significantly, adding a fireplace in the room can go a long way in providing cosiness to the space. Temperature The temperature inside a conservatory may vary greatly depending on the weather and climate of the area. In general, conservatories tend to be quite warm during the day because of all the direct sunlight and trapped heat. For this reason, conservatories make excellent for an excellent garden room as well. All you need is some garden room furniture such as rattan, wicker furniture to help give the space a rustic, outdoorsy look. Incorporating natural materials and rattan furniture, alongside some elegant decor pieces, can give your garden room a truly eclectic feel. Cane furniture is a popular choice for a garden room. However, if you live in colder climates and experience harsh winters, the conservatory will become quite chilly as it does not have adequate insulation. In such cases, you may need to add heaters or a fireplace in the conservatory to stay warm, especially at night. Conclusion Although a conservatory can serve as any room you choose, most people use it as a sanctuary to soothe and realign themselves with nature. Or as a family room to get together and enjoy quality family time. However, no matter how big or expensive a conservatory might be, if it lacks interior design, it simply will not serve its true purpose of being a comfortable place to relax in. You can make the most of your conservatory by using the right furniture interior design, following a theme and using a carefully selected colour scheme and decor. Use our guide to choose conservatory furniture and get some detailed insight on things to keep in mind while furnishing your space.
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How To Clean Patio Furniture Covers
How To Clean Patio Furniture Covers One of the best ways to properly maintain your patio furniture is by getting a cover. It’s incredibly simple, affordable, and super effective. Whenever you encounter bad weather or aren’t using your furniture, getting the patio furniture covers on is a good idea. Not only will they protect your patio furniture from bad weather and overexposure to sunlight, but they’ll also keep dust and other types of debris off the furniture. Consequently, whenever you want to use your furniture, you’ll just need to take the cover off, and it’ll be good to go! However, the patio furniture cover won’t just last forever, especially if you don’t clean it properly. There’s no need to worry, though. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about how to clean patio furniture covers! How To Clean Patio Furniture Covers Before you go about cleaning your patio furniture covers, it’s essential to understand the type of patio cover you have. There are several different materials, and all of them have different properties, which is where it also helps to know how to secure outdoor furniture covers. One of the first things that you should determine is whether the patio furniture is machine washable or not. If the patio furniture cover is machine washable, then it’ll save you a lot of trouble. When a patio furniture cover is machine washable, it needs to be both colourfast and pre-shrunk. Colorfast basically means that the furniture cover will not fade if you run it through the wash. On top of that, the covers also need to be pre-shrunk. If they aren’t pre-shrunk, running through a machine wash will cause the covers to shrink, and they won’t fit your furniture anymore. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the different types of patio furniture covers. Polyester Outdoor Furniture Cover A very popular option for outdoor furniture covers is polyester. It’s a synthetic fibre that’s also popularly known as PET. One of the main reasons why polyester is incredibly resistant. You won’t have to worry about any sort of shrinking, wrinkles, stretching, or mildew and mould. Generally, polyester outdoor furniture covers tend to feature a UV resistant coating. However, with an extra coating, a machine wash will cause the layer to deteriorate. If there’s no layer, you won’t have to worry about the machine wash causing anything to deteriorate. Nylon Outdoor Furniture Cover You wouldn’t typically associate nylon with furniture cover, but it actually works really well. Nylon is among the most robust synthetic textile materials available. It features several natural resistances and is safe for machine wash. Vinyl Outdoor Furniture Cover A vinyl cover is super durable and shiny. It’s also resistant to heat and very effective at warding off a variety of different pests. While you can definitely machine wash vinyl, it’s important to turn it inside out before you clean. Preferably you should always look to hand wash your vinyl furniture over. Polypropylene Outdoor Furniture Cover Polypropylene is a material with many common uses and provides the same feeling that you’d get from a standard piece of cloth. One of the reasons polypropylene is so popular is the price of the material. It’s very affordable, but that means it’s not as durable as some of the other available materials. If you live in a particularly sunny area, your furniture cover will lose its effectiveness after a little while. The best way you’ll be able to clean polypropylene is through hand washing. If you’re feeling particularly tired, you can run the cover through a machine wash. However, running it through a machine wash will cause the cover to deteriorate quicker. With the type of outdoor furniture cover out of the way, let's move on to what items you’ll need for the cleaning. Items Needed For The Cleaning You won’t need a wide variety of products to help clean your patio furniture covers and if you want to go step further, we've written a guide on 'how to repair rusted patio furniture'. There’s no need to get some of the overly complex cleaning products on the market. All you’re going to need is a mild soap and some warm water. If you’re using a washing machine, all you really need is the standard detergent you have available and some warm water. On the other hand, if you’re choosing to clean the patio furniture cover without a machine, then you’re going to need a bucket of soapy water and a soft thistle brush. It’s essential to go for a soft thistle brush because harder thistles can cause the patio cover to deteriorate significantly. The Method There are two main methods that you can go about cleaning your patio furniture covers. You can either choose to do them by hand, or you could go for a machine wash. Here’s a breakdown of both methods. Using A Machine To properly wash your patio furniture cover in a washing machine, you’ll need first to ensure that the cover is machine-friendly. If it isn’t machine-friendly, then you’ll actually end up ruining the cover. If it’s machine-friendly, then you’ll need to fill up the washing machine with the appropriate amount of water and add detergent. When washing your covers, it’s a good idea not to add any other fabrics. There’s a chance that the covers might end up staining the rest of your clothes or vice-versa. Also, it’s important to remember that certain fabrics will react better to certain temperatures. So, make sure that you’re properly familiar with the optimal washing temperature before running the wash. You can usually find all the necessary cleaning instructions on the label. While not washing at the optimal temperature won’t cause any serious damage to the cover, some materials can start to lose their strength when they come in contact with hot water. As a precaution, only use lukewarm water when you’re washing covers. Hand Washing Suppose your patio furniture cover isn’t machine-wash friendly. In that case, you’ll have no other option but to wash the cover yourself. All you’re going to need is a bucket of soapy water and a brush that features soft thistles. Dip the soft-thistle brush into the soapy water and then clean the patio furniture cover. It’s essential to keep the brush strokes to a minimum and use water to clean out the patio furniture cover. When you’re washing out the cover, try to be as thorough as possible so you can get all the soapy water out. You’ll be able to tell if all the soap is out when you try to dry the cover. If soapy water comes out when you twist the cover that means you’ll still have to wash out the cover a bit more. After you’re done washing out the cover, leave it out to dry in an open area away from direct sunlight. Tips to Help Keep Your Patio Furniture Cover Clean Aside from regularly cleaning your patio furniture covers, there are a few other helpful tips that can ensure that you can optimise the life of your patio furniture covers. By taking extra care of them, you can ensure that you get the maximum amount of use out of your furniture covers. Follow The Labels On every type of patio cover, you’ll usually find a label which provides you with all the information necessary to clean the product properly. It’ll also indicate what temperatures are best for cleaning and whether the patio furniture cover is machine-wash friendly or not. Dry The Cover Properly After you wash your cover, it’s essential to ensure that you let it dry properly as well. One of the most common mistakes that people tend to make with their covers is leaving them out to dry in the sunlight. Contact with direct sunlight when it’s wet can cause the cover to fade and damage the UV resistant layer. You should try your best to let your covers dry in a neutral environment. We've also written a detailed guide on how to keep pooling on patio furniture covers too. Brush Regularly Even though the whole purpose of a cover is to prevent any debris or dust from getting on your sofa, it doesn’t mean that you should just ignore the covers. If you notice that dust is starting to accumulate on the cover, brush it off. Regular brushing can help ensure that you don’t have to wash your covers as often. Conclusion Patio furniture covers can play a big role in helping ensure that your outdoor cushions lasts for as long as possible. However, they won’t be able to last forever. Therefore, it’s important that you take enough care and effort to ensure that you regularly clean the furniture covers.
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How To Secure Outdoor Furniture Covers
How To Secure Outdoor Furniture Covers Outdoor furniture is a great way to enhance the look of your patio or garden. However, an essential aspect of getting outdoor furniture is to ensure that it looks brand new throughout its life cycle. One of the most simple and effective methods to ensure that your outdoor furniture remains protected is to ensure that you buy good quality outdoor furniture covers for it. However, to ensure that you use the outdoor furniture covers to their full potential, you must consider a few things. Owners are usually at their wit's end trying to keep patio furniture cover from blowing away., especially during windy days. If you’re experiencing a similar predicament, then we have just the right advice for you. We have put together a comprehensive guide on stopping garden furniture covers from blowing away. How to Prevent Covers from Flying off on a Windy Day You’ve carefully covered your outdoor furniture with a new set of furniture covers, only for it to be blown away by a rogue gust of wind. If you reside in a coastal or windy area, this issue could be exacerbated much more. Furniture experts encourage the use of breathable fabrics and cover designs with vents that allow cross ventilation, especially if the furniture to be covered is made of wood. This is so that the wooden furniture doesn’t “sweat” under the heat and humidity, encouraging growth or mould, making cleaning patio furniture covers more difficult too. Breathable furniture covers are often lightweight and add to the issue of furniture covers flying away in the wind. You must also remember that it is essential to ensure that the furniture cover used is of the correct size. Using furniture covers that are too big or too small and don’t provide a snug fit are more likely to be blown away on a windy day, leaving you wondering how to keep patio furniture cover from blowing away. Not only is it a hassle to bring back the furniture covers and place them carefully around the furniture again, but it also damages the furniture covers themselves and leaves your furniture exposed to the elements. The more your outdoor furniture covers blow away, the more frequently you have to wash them. Furthermore, exposed furniture could easily be damaged by rough weather conditions such as excessive rain, snow, or hail, or by pests and insects. To ensure your furniture covers keep the outdoor furniture well protected, you must ensure that the covers are correctly secured around the furniture so that they don't fly off in the wind. Following are some essential tools you can use to ensure your furniture cover does not fly off during a windy day: Drawstrings One of the simplest ways to ensure that your outdoor furniture cover remains intact is by the use of a good old-fashioned drawstring. This simple, no-fuss method is affordable, effective, and straightforward. It allows furniture covers to be secured snuggly without causing any damage to the furniture or the cover itself. The right size and thickness of the drawstrings depend on the type and size of your furniture covers. Large furniture covers used to cover large-sized furniture will require thicker, and longer drawstrings than a furniture cover used to cover a small or singular piece of furniture such as a stool. Drawstrings are a minimalistic and secure way to ensure that the furniture cover remains in place due to its high reliability. They are easy to put on and easy to remove as well. However, drawstrings may not be as good as some other tools used to prevent the ballooning of covers on a windy day. Furthermore, they may wear away with time and need to be replaced. Still, because of their simplicity, ease of handling, easy availability, affordability, and reliability, drawstring continues to be one of the most popular methods of securing furniture covers. Elastics A popular method of fastening furniture cover is by using elastics. This is a no-brainer for someone who wants to avoid any hassle associated with tying or securing the furniture covers. Elastics are a great way to provide a reliable and secure method for ensuring your furniture covers are not blown away. They can be used to cover furniture of any shape and size and can snap into place in just a few minutes. Elastics are highly adaptable, dependable, and consistent when keeping furniture covers secure and protecting patio furniture from external elements because of their perfect fitting. However, you must ensure that the furniture cover is of the correct size so that the elastics can secure it around the furniture snuggly. These may lose their elasticity over time and need to be replaced. However, depending on the quality of the elastics used, they can last for numerous years. Waterproof Zipper Another conventional way of securing furniture covers without external equipment is by using waterproof zippers. The numerous customization options in zippers ensure that all furniture covers have a secure fit around outdoor furniture. No matter how unconventional the furniture design is, furniture covers with zips can be made to fit around it. However, you must ensure that you use high-quality zippers to avoid getting stuck, breaking, or developing rust while being kept outdoors. The great thing about furniture zippers is that they can help prevent the ballooning of furniture if the covers are made in the correct size and shape. And here are some alternative methods for how to keep water pooling on patio furniture covers. Cover Clamps One of the most effective ways to cover any type of furniture with a cover and ensure that it stays in place is with the help of cover clamps. Cover clamps can be made with a wide variety of different materials. However, they all offer the same level of protection against the wind. They are easy to use and have much higher durability than other fastening covers onto furniture. Cover clamps can be used numerous without fear of their elasticity or quality being affected. Since they can provide the best fit for furniture, they also prevent ballooning of the covers and offer superior protection against strong winds. How to Use Cover Clamps on Your Outdoor Furniture Cover Although high-quality furniture covers that fit the furniture well are less likely to be affected too severely by the wind. However, adding cover clamps is a safe and effective way of ensuring that the covers stay in place even during bad weather. Here is a short guide on how to secure garden furniture cover using cover clamps: Cover the furniture piece with the furniture cover. Tie the drawstrings or straps or connect the velcro pieces securely. Unlock and open the cover clamp by pressing the lever in the centre, then slide the crossbar in the direction of the hook insert. Insert the clamps on the desired location, at the bottom and opposite sides of the cover. Place the teeth of the clamp on either side of the hem and slide the crossbar inwards towards the teeth. This will ensure that it is locked in place The bungee cord must be placed behind the leg or the front wheel of the furniture. Then proceed to attach the hook of the clamp through inserts on the front of the clamp The second bungee cord’s hook is connected via the inserts on the rear end of the clamp. Here’s a video showing how to install a cover clamp as well. How to Store Your Cover When Not Using It Storing furniture covers when they’re not in use is a relatively simple task. However, there are a few things to be aware of. This ensures that the covers don't get damaged and last for a long time. Ensure that the covers are completely clean before you store them. Check for insects, dirt, and debris that could enable bacteria growth on the cover. You can use various commercially available products to clean the covers before putting them in storage. Ensure that the cover is completely dry. If the furniture covers have been out in the rain, or if you have used products on them, then ensure that you have given the covers adequate time to dry before you put them in storage Fold the covers neatly and place them in a storage bag. Keep the bag in a cool and dry area till they are ready for use again. Here’s a video showing how to fold your furniture covers. Outdoor Cover Cleaning Tips Cleaning outdoor furniture covers requires a few special instructions to not damage the cover and ensure its longevity. Firstly you should only hand wash your covers and use mild laundry detergent. Avoid harsh detergents and chemicals, and do not put the covers in a washing machine. For any spots and stains that do not come off with gentle washing, you can use a soft-bristled brush to scrub gently. The cover must be air-dried entirely before it is stored or reused. The following are some common products that work well for cleaning furniture covers: Fabric Cleaner: Fabric cleaners are commonly used to clean upholstery and furniture cover fabrics. They help lift the stain off of the fabric so that it is easier to clean with a soft scrub or brush. Ensure that the product is given enough time to penetrate the stain and lift it completely. This usually takes about 3 to 10 minutes. Multi-Surface Cleaner: Multi-Surface cleaners are high-strength products that can help eliminate even the toughest stains and rejuvenate the cover. These include coffee, wine, and oil or grease as well. You can repeat the cleaning process 2-3 times for heavier stains to ensure the stain is removed entirely. Fabric Guard: This is an excellent product for furniture covers with diminished water repellency. However, the spray strengthens the fabric and protects against oil and water stains. It can be safely used on natural fibres as well as synthetic fibres. Vinyl Protective Cleaner: If you have vinyl furniture covers, you cannot miss out on this product. It helps maintain the longevity of the cover while ensuring there is no cracking, fading, or premature ageing. It also helps to improve the sheen and colour of the vinyl, drying into a clean matte finish. Fabric Nano Protector: A one-of-a-kind protective spray that forms a barrier on the cover's fabric. This helps to protect the furniture cover from stains and dirt. However, you must ensure that you have gotten rid of any old stains on the cover before applying this product. Conclusion Using furniture covers to protect outdoor furniture is an excellent way to improve the longevity of furniture. However, to ensure that your furniture covers provide adequate protection, they must be secured to avoid them being blown away by the wind. If you’re wondering how to secure a garden furniture cover, then use tips from our helpful guide above!
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How To Keep Water From Pooling On Patio Furniture Cover
How To Keep Water From Pooling On Patio Furniture Cover Patio furniture covers are an excellent way to protect your outdoor furniture against harmful external elements, especially bad weather conditions. However, if you do not provide enough maintenance to the covers, chances are they will not last for very long or will be unable to offer a good deal of protection to your furniture. In addition, since patio furniture covers are supposed to protect your furniture, especially from bad weather, it may be difficult to think of ways to prevent water from pooling onto the cover during bad weather. This is where our helpful article comes in. We’ve got some foolproof ways on how to stop water pooling on garden furniture covers. Let’s get started. Why Keep Water From Pooling On Patio Furniture Cover? A common question asked is why it is necessary to prevent water from pooling onto the patio furniture cover, apart from making cleaning patio furniture covers extra difficult. The answer to this is relatively straightforward: if you don’t control the water from pooling, it may cause extensive water and weight damage to the covers. This may affect their longevity, durability, and ability to offer adequate water protection to your furniture. Some of the most important reasons to prevent water pooling on garden furniture covers are: Damage To Seams The water pooling onto the furniture cover can become quite heavy if it is left to accumulate. This excess weight can strain the seams of the covers and cause them to become weakened. Often small amounts of water can escape from the weakened seams of the covers onto the patio furniture itself. This eventually leads to water damage that is quite difficult and costly to repair. Damage To Cover Although most patio furniture covers are water repellant, some have foam inserts that may soak some water after damage to the covers. This is often difficult to reverse and might be irreparable in some cases. Furniture Cover Sagging The weight of the water on the furniture cover can cause it to sag. This destroys the custom shape of the furniture and puts excessive pressure on the seams, causing them to become undone. Furniture Damage Other than furniture becoming damaged due to seepage of water from collapsed seams of the furniture cover, large amounts of water pooling on the furniture cover can also cause damage to its frame. This is because the excess weight of the water can cause strain on the furniture’s frame, causing it to become slightly disfigured in the long run. How To Keep Water From Pooling On Patio Furniture Cover There are several ways how to stop water pooling on garden furniture covers. These include: Using Buckets And Stands Before putting on the cover on the patio furniture, put a small bucket underneath and then put the cover on. This forms a tent shape for the cover and creates slanting slides that allow for easy water draining. The main idea is to create a higher centre than the surroundings. So if you have a centre table that is raised more than the chairs around it, it will naturally create this effect. Self Draining Covers Some manufacturers produce custom covers that can help prevent water from pooling onto the furniture. These revolutionary covers have a shape that differs from conventional furniture covers. Self-draining covers usually have an additional diagonal form in the front that allows water to slide off instead of accumulating on top. Water-Shedding Poles Another great way to allow water to drain off from the furniture covers instead of pooling on top is to use water shedding poles. These are especially great for patio furniture sets with a parasol hole where the cover support pole can easily fit inside. However, it works just as well for other types of furniture. The idea is that the rod creates a slight elevation in the middle of the cover, making a tent shape. This helps to drain the water off from the sides with ease. Here’s a tutorial on how to use a Polytuf table cover support pole. What Should I Consider When Choosing The Best Outdoor Furniture Cover? Sizing The size of the outdoor furniture cover is of utmost importance. If the furniture covers are too short, they will not offer adequate protection to the furniture. However, if the covers are too long, they can create depressions allowing water to pool. Furthermore, ill-fitting furniture may also be blown away easily. Right-sized furniture covers are raised slightly above the ground to allow proper air circulation beneath them and prevent mould and mildew from occurring. Water Protection Furniture covers need to offer some degree of water protection, especially outdoor patio covers. Some patio covers are waterproof, whereas others are water repellent. Although waterproof covers offer a greater degree of water protection, they may have some issues with breathability. On the other hand, water-resistant covers protect against light rain but can get soaked during a heavy downpour. Shape The shape of the outdoor furniture cover is often an overlooked feature. However, the right-shaped furniture cover can offer extra protection to your furniture. Custom-shaped furniture covers allow for a snug fit so that the covers are not blown away. Furthermore, you should always ensure that the furniture covers have slightly dropped shoulders. This will help water roll off the furniture cover and prevent it from pooling. Breathability The furniture cover material often indicates how breathable the cover will be. For example, patio furniture covers made of vinyl are usually not as breathable as organic material covers. However, you can add vents or slits to the furniture cover to allow air circulation. Tie Downs Tie-downs allow the patio furniture cover to be tied securely, and we've written a full guide on how to secure outdoor furniture covers if you'd like to read about this in detail. Not only does this create a snug fit that helps eliminate water pooling pockets, but it also prevents the covers from blowing away during windy conditions. Pricing The pricing of the patio furniture cover can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. In addition to the material of the furniture cover, features such as side vents, customised shaping, and self-draining features add to the price as well. How Do You Keep Patio Furniture Covers From Being Blown Away? Patio furniture covers can be blown away under rough weather conditions. Following are some ways to prevent this from occurring: Tie Downs and Drawstrings Tie downs and drawstrings are an excellent way to secure furniture covers snuggly around furniture. They are affordable, effective, and easy to use as well. Here’s how to tie your Maze Rattan Winter Cover Secure. Elastics Furniture cover elastics are a quick method to ensure your furniture cover is fitted well around your furniture with minimal effort. In addition, the furniture cover stays in its place through rough weather thanks to furniture cover elastics. You can watch this video on how to install an elastic sofa cover. Cover Clamps This method allows the patio furniture cover to be firmly held in place with sturdy clamps. The cover clamps are the most secure method of holding the furniture cover in place and preventing it from blowing away. How Do You Measure Patio Furniture Covers? Measuring patio furniture for custom-sized covers can be a bit tricky. You must first start by deciding what furniture you are ordering the cover for and measure that piece of furniture accurately. The covers should fit securely, but it is always better to get a size bigger than small. This is because if the cover is stretched too much over the furniture, it will lose its protective feature and may become damaged with time. However, too large a cover will accumulate rain and balloon during windy weather. How To Use Cover Clamps On Patio Furniture? If you’re unsure about how to place cover clamps, then here’s a quick guide that will make the process easy: Cover your furniture with the furniture cover and secure it through drawstring or buckles. Press the lever on the centre of the clamp and slide the crossbar upwards in the direction of the hook Place the clamps on the opposite bottom sides of the cover and secure them. The teeth of the clamp should be on the hem, then slide the crossbar in the direction of the teeth till they are locked. The first bungee cord should be placed in the front, and the hook must be attached through an insert in the front of the clamps. The other bungee cord is placed at the backside of the furniture. The hook must be attached via the clamp’s inserts found at the rear. Conclusion Patio furniture covers can easily become damaged if water is left to accumulate on them. This can cause various degrees of damage to the patio furniture covers and the furniture itself. Since patio furniture and patio furniture covers can be pretty pricey, it is best to take a few precautions and figure out how to prevent water from pooling on garden furniture covers instead of replacing them frequently. Use our helpful guide to ensure your furniture covers are well protected from water pooling on them.
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How To Clean Wooden Outdoor Furniture
How To Clean Wooden Outdoor Furniture Having a backyard can be a great advantage to your house. However, if the garden has not been set up correctly, you may not be taking full advantage of it. Wooden outdoor furniture not only serves to turn your garden into an excellent area for lounging and spending quality time with friends and family, but it also adds a decorative factor to an otherwise bare and dull garden. However, wooden furniture requires a little bit of maintenance so that it doesn’t lose its look or longevity. Since the furniture is outdoors, the chances of it being covered by dirt, dust, and debris are more than indoor furniture. Depending on the type of wood used in the furniture, the maintenance and cleaning requirements and frequency may vary. For example, Teak wood outdoor furniture is generally considered more resistant to external elements than other woods. Cypress, Cedar, and Redwood are other types of woods commonly used to make outdoor furniture. However, no matter which type of wooden furniture you get, there are a few universally applicable rules for maintaining your outdoor wooden furniture and keeping it clean. Here are our top tips on ensuring that your wooden furniture remains clean and looks brand new! Wash Your Furniture With Warm Soapy Water One of the best qualities about outdoor wooden furniture, besides its elegant looks, is that you don’t require any additional hi-tech tools to clean it. All that most wooden furniture requires for a thorough cleaning is some mild laundry detergent mixed in with warm water and a little bit of elbow grease! Here is everything you may need to give your wooden furniture a thorough scrub: Things You May Need Clean warm water Mild laundry detergent Splash of vinegar or bleach (optional) Wood Cleaner Once you’ve created your warm soapy water mixture, you can add a splash of vinegar or bleach in it to get rid of any moss or mould on the furniture. This works well for certain types of furniture, such as Teak. But, if you simply want to use a ready-made solution specifically for cleaning wooden outdoor furniture, you can use one of the many commercially available wood cleaners. However, it is not recommended to use harsh chemicals on the wood to strip away the wood’s natural oils. Furthermore, while washing the wooden furniture, ensure you use a soft cloth, or medium bristled brush to scrub and always scrub in the direction of the grain. This will prevent unwanted scratches and dulling down of wood. Many people advocate using pressure or jet washers for cleaning outdoor wooden furniture. Although this may be an attractive choice, it is best to steer clear of these. This is because the pressure washers strip away the wood's natural oils and destroy its internal cellulose structure, leaving it looking lacklustre. Furthermore, the high pressure from such jet washers may cause the furniture joints to become loose as well. Instead, you can simply use a garden hose with steady pressure to wash down the furniture. This will not only do the job of washing off any dirt, residue, or suds well, but it will also prevent any unwarranted damage to the furniture. We've also added a guide including the best treatment for wooden garden furniture. Once you have washed the furniture, ensure it has enough time to dry off properly in the sun before you begin to use it. Moisture retained in the furniture could lead to mold. This is especially common in areas with high humidity. Lightly Sand Away Stubborn Dirt And Stains Simply washing furniture off with warm water and soap may not be enough. There may be some stubborn stains that have seeped into the wood and now seem to have made their home there permanently. Additionally, outdoor furniture that has aged over time develops a silvery patina that is difficult to remove with simple washing. For these stubborn stains, the silvery patina, or any roughness that may have developed on the wooden furniture due to external elements, the best thing to do is to lightly sand away the top surface of the wood. Things You May Need Medium rough grit 80-grade sandpaper Fine grit 120-grade sandpaper Soft lint-free cloth or duster Before you begin sanding, ensure that the furniture has dried off evenly. This will give you a nice, glossy, and even surface area and more control during the sanding process. You can start off sanding your outdoor wooden furniture with rough 80-grade sandpaper. However, make sure that you use light, even force overall. If there are some particularly stubborn stains, you can focus on these areas more. Do not apply excessive force as it may damage the furniture. Once you’ve gently sanded the entire furniture adequately enough with the 80-grade sandpaper. You can move on to the next fine-grit sandpaper of 120 grit. This will help to restore smoothness and lustre in the furniture. You can vary the grit of the sandpaper used in accordance with the type of wooden furniture in use. For example, for hardwoods, rough and medium rough sandpapers would be adequate. However, for softwoods, fine-grade sandpaper would remove the top surface of the wood without causing excessive damage to the furniture. While sanding wooden furniture, it is important to remember to sand in the direction of the grain. Going against the grain may cause the furniture to lose its sheen and develop scratches. Many people use power sanders while sanding wood. Although electric and power sanders are a convenient way to sand furniture, the excessive heat generated by them may cause damage to the wood and leave black marks. Therefore, it is preferable to use manual sandpaper instead. Here’s a video explaining how to sand wood with sandpaper. Protect The Wood With Paint, Oils, Or Stains Protecting wooden garden furniture is essential for prolong it's lifespan. Once you have washed your outdoor furniture and have sanded it down to reveal the smooth and shiny surface underneath, you can coat it in some protective solutions. There are many advantages to this. Using protective paints, oils or stains can help make the colour of the wooden furniture more vibrant, help to maintain this natural colour, and offer a layer of protection against external elements. Things You May Need Wood Polish Wood Paint Wood Protector Wood Sealer Wood Stains Wood Oil Garden furniture enthusiasts often use wood protectors to ensure that their wooden furniture maintains its rustic natural colour and remains protected from UV rays. However, you can also use wood stains to add a protective coating while ensuring that the natural wood can be seen from underneath. Here’s how to stain and finish wood furniture. Wood sealers, polish, and paint cover the top layer of the wooden furniture and protect it from external elements. However, this layer of paint or polish may chip or wear away and will need to be refreshed over time. Wood oils, though used commonly, may not always be recommended for outdoor furniture. This is because, in some cases, the use of wood oils may lead to the growth of mold on wooden furniture. Therefore, checking for the manufacturers' instructions is always recommended before applying wood oils. Should Outdoor Wooden Furniture Be Covered? Covering outdoor furniture can be an excellent way to protect it from unpredictable outdoor conditions. Whether it is rain, insects, or small pests that could potentially damage your furniture, using covers for outdoor furniture is an excellent way to protect it from damage. But, choosing the right type of furniture cover is of paramount importance. Ensure that the fabric used is of good quality and is breathable (and if you're looking for the best fabric for outdoor furniture, we've written a guide). Fabric that does not allow cross ventilation may cause the furniture to sweat, leading to mould and mildew under hot and humid conditions, and if you have gone for metal materials as an alternative, we've written a handy guide on how to repair rusted patio furniture too. Conclusion You can spruce up a backyard or outdoor area by using good-quality wooden outdoor furniture. Elegant, eye-catching wooden furniture is a popular addition to numerous backyards and outdoor areas. However, regular cleaning of the wooden furniture will ensure that it looks new over the years, retains its colours and characteristics, and is protected from external elements.
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Does Rattan Garden Furniture Fade In The Sun?
Does Rattan Garden Furniture Fade in The Sun? A well-decorated patio can ultimately elevate the appearance of your home. Not only does it look visually appealing, but it also provides you with a very useful sitting area. One of the most popular types of outdoor furniture is rattan garden furniture. Rattan garden furniture includes a wide variety of different types. You can choose between dining sets, corner sofas, sun loungers, and much more. All of their furniture pieces feature a lovely design and are reasonably priced. However, one of the most important questions still remains. Does rattan garden furniture fade in the sun? Different Types of Rattan Garden Furniture One of the main issues with outdoor furniture is that it’s prone to eventually fading away and losing its colour. There are many reasons behind why the garden furniture could fade, but UV rays from the sun are one of the most common reasons. While many people believe that rain or snow is bad weather for outdoor furniture, the sun actually ends up doing just as much damage. So, it’s essential to be careful when buying rattan garden furniture sets. To understand if it fades in the sun, it’s first essential to consider the different types of rattan garden furniture. Then you’ll find out for sure if rattan garden furniture is UV resistant or not. One of the most resistant types of outdoor furniture is synthetic rattan. Let’s take a look at the different types of synthetic rattan furniture! PE Rattan PE stands for polyethylene and is one of the most popular choices for rattan garden furniture. The reason behind its popularity is that polyethylene is incredibly durable and will last for a very long time. When we say weather resistant, we really do mean weather resistant or weatherproof. For example, PE rattan garden furniture is UV resistant and can withstand bad weather. As a result, the paint on PE rattan furniture will last for a long while. Due to how long they can effectively last, PE rattan furniture tends to be the most expensive out of all the available options. However, if you properly take care of your PE rattan furniture, it can last between 5 – 7 years. PU Rattan Another option available for those looking to buy synthetic rattan furniture is buying polyurethane rattan. Polyurethane is known more for its flexibility which is why it’s also a popular choice. Thanks to the flexibility, the PU rattan furniture can withstand a number of different conditions. However, it doesn’t boast the same level of durability as PE. Generally, PE rattan furniture will display a level of UV resistance and won’t fade through exposure to sunlight. However, it’s prone to suffering a lot of damage from bad weather like rain. In combination with bright sunlight, that can cause the paint to fade. Due to it not being as durable as PE rattan, PU rattan furniture is significantly cheaper. The only drawback is that you’ll have to take care of the furniture to ensure it lasts for longer than a year. PVC Rattan The third type of synthetic rattan furniture is made from polyvinyl chloride. PVC is also a super flexible plastic which helps ensure that all the weaves in the rattan furniture are as tight as possible. It’s essential to ensure that the weaves are tight because that can significantly impact the durability of the furniture. However, due to its level of flexibility, PVC certainly isn’t among the most durable materials. Generally, you can expect to receive the same amount of durability from PVC as you would from PE rattan furniture. That’s one of the reasons why they’re available for a similar price as well. Does Rattan Furniture Fade? If we’re talking about natural rattan furniture made from vine, then yes, that will fade very quickly. By not being careful, it’s possible that your natural rattan furniture can start to fade in a few months. Natural rattan outdoor wood furniture is not very UV resistant. You’ll need to get proper protective equipment to stop natural rattan furniture from fading. Synthetic Rattan furniture, on the other hand, is a different story. PU rattan furniture can easily last for more than 5 years. If you take proper care, it can last even longer. Eventually, all rattan furniture will start to fade due to exposure to UV rays. However, how soon the furniture will begin to fade depends on the material. The higher the quality of the material used, the longer it will last. Aside from the material of the weave, the frame also plays a significant role. You can typically choose between a steel frame or an aluminium frame. A steel frame is heavy and incredibly durable. However, a steel frame doesn’t offer the same level of weather resistance as an aluminium frame would. Aside from the frame and the material, the quality of the weave is another factor that you should consider. The tighter the weaves, the higher the overall durability of the furniture. If the weaves are loose, then the furniture is likely to fade away quicker. It’s important to consider all those factors when determining whether rattan furniture will fade or not. While all the materials will fade eventually if put under the sun for too long, the duration differs greatly for each. Tips to help prevent rattan furniture from fading Get a cover for your furniture which you can put on when you’re not using Buy a protective spray that you can use on the furniture to increase its longevity You can even get a UV resistant coating applied to the furniture to help ensure that it lasts longer Conclusion When it comes to UV resistant rattan furniture, you can choose to go for several different synthetic options. The synthetic materials are significantly more durable and weather resistant than the natural offerings. However, it’s important to be careful when picking the synthetic material as well. Each type offers its own advantages and disadvantages. Now that you have a decent understanding of rattan garden furniture and its UV resistance, you’re ready to create the perfect outdoor sitting area!
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What Is The Best Treatment For Wooden Garden Furniture?
What Is The Best Treatment For Wooden Garden Furniture? A cute outdoor patio is very desirable. Most of the time, people tend to go for wood as their material of choice. Wood is incredibly versatile and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. However, eventually, the wood can start to lose its original appeal. That’s when you probably start wondering what is the best treatment for wooden garden furniture? With so many different types of woods popular in garden furniture, it can become challenging to understand which treatment method will work best. Learning how to treat outdoor wood furniture is essential in optimising the lifespan and getting the most out of your furniture. Here’s everything you need to know about treating wooden garden furniture. General Treatment Tips Before we get into the details of how to treat particular types of wood, it’s essential to know the basic details that can help you take care of any type of wooden garden furniture. Of course, you might already know some of the tips we’re mentioning, so feel free to skip forward. When you apply any treatment or a protective coating, make sure that you do it on a dry day with a slight breeze. If it’s too windy, that can cause dust to mix with the coating and ruin the whole look of the furniture. Moisture can also slow down the time it takes for the treatment to dry. Avoid using a pressure washer to clean the wooden garden furniture. It can knock the wood over and potentially damage your furniture. Not only that, if there are any cracks or nicks in the wood, the pressure from the water will cause the wood to splinter. You should always use medium pressure at most when cleaning wooden garden furniture. Most people tend to cover their furniture in winter to protect it while storing the furniture away. However, if you don’t use the proper type of covers, it can worsen the problem. Mildew will start to form in warm and damp areas with poor airflow. These include covers that aren’t breathable and fit too tightly. It’s a good idea to use high-quality covers that feature breathable fabric that allow air to flow through the furniture. The airflow will significantly reduce the chance of any sort of Mildew forming on the wooden garden furniture. Even if Mildew does start to form on the surface after all your efforts, then there’s no need to panic. Mildew forms a very undesirable dark stain on your wooden garden furniture. All you need to do is use a mild bleach solution and scrub away at the stain. When you’re using any chemical like bleach, you must wear protective gloves to ensure that no material damages your hands. Bleach can corrode and cause injuries reasonably easily. If you’ve been neglecting your wooden garden furniture for a fair amount of time, it’s definitely possible that several different fungi can have grown on the surface. Then, unfortunately, no treatment options are going to work. The best option available is scraping off the fungi and sanding down the wood. When you’re sanding the wood, it’s essential to always go away from the grain. Familiarise Yourself With The Type of Wood Before discussing the best treatment for wooden garden furniture, you must understand the type of wood you’re using. You’ll only be able to learn how to treat outdoor furniture properly if you learn more about the maintenance requirements of different types of wood. Generally, you can categorise wood into different groups, hardwood and softwood. There’s no complex secret behind typing; hardwood is harder while softwood is relatively softer in comparison. Softwood also tends to be inexpensive in comparison to hardwood furniture. However, when you buy softwood furniture, it’ll probably feature an additional varnish or a layer of paint to help ensure that the furniture lasts as long as possible. In addition, while it may be more inexpensive than hardwood furniture, softwood requires a lot more maintenance. You’ll need to clean it properly three to four times every year. On the other hand, hardwood is more expensive, durable, and will last significantly longer than other types of wood. Most people tend to prefer buying hardwood furniture because it can give off a more natural look and requires much less maintenance. You may need to properly clean your furniture once a year, and you’ll be good to go! While this is a basic introduction to the different types of woods on the market, it’s an excellent place to start so you can learn all about how to treat wooden garden furniture. Why Is Treatment Necessary? Even though wooden garden furniture is designed to withstand a lot of wear and tear, and that's even if you aim to clean outdoor wooden furniture on a regular basis, it’s not wholly immune to losing its original appeal. Luckily, there are several treatments available in the market that can help significantly improve the durability of wooden furniture. When you leave wood garden furniture outside, several different factors can cause the condition of the wood to deteriorate. Weather conditions like rain and snow can cause moisture damage to wood and contribute to the development of mould as well. On the other hand, the sun can cause the colour to fade, and the wood will start to lose its natural look. That’s where wood furniture treatments come into the equation and make it much easier to prolong the life of your tables and chairs. Let's take a look at the different types of treatments available in the market. What Is The Best Treatment for Wooden Garden Furniture? An important aspect of learning how to treat wooden garden furniture is picking the best type of treatment. You’ll need to choose between two main options when looking for the best possible treatment. These are furniture oil and furniture stains. Both treatments work differently and are compatible with different types of wood. Furniture Oil The most popular treatment option for outdoor wood furniture is furniture oil. Furniture oil helps give a much more natural finish and helps significantly improve the aesthetic appeal of the wood. It works exceptionally well with hardwood and effectively maintains the quality of new furniture that you buy. Furniture oil works by seeping inside the wood and replacing the natural oil. Almost every type of wood boasts natural oils that help give the shine and maintain the aesthetic appeal of the wood. As the wood's oil starts drying out, you’ll start to notice cracks starting to become more visible on the surface. The oil can help significantly reduce the chances of these cracks forming and causing trouble. Once you treat your wooden garden furniture with furniture oil, you’re looking at six months of elite-level protection. After six months, you’ll have to reapply the furniture oil again. It’s especially effective with hardwood garden furniture as it typically doesn’t have a protective coating. Furniture Stain Aside from getting furniture oil to do the job, another option available to you is using furniture stain. Furniture stain lasts much longer than furniture oil and provides an additional layer of protection. The finish features an all-weather formulation that will help protect your furniture from all kinds of weather. So, it doesn’t matter if it’s raining or the sun’s shining brightly. Furniture stain will keep your goods in optimal condition. It’s also incredibly effective at helping prevent the formation of any kind of Mildew. Once Mildew starts forming on the wood, it can be a major hassle to remove and clean everything thoroughly. That’s why employing a preventative technique is sometimes the best way to move forward. These are the two main types of treatment options that you have the option of choosing between. Now that you’re familiar with the treatment options let's look at how you can apply the treatment. How To Treat Wood Furniture The very first step that you need to worry about is making sure that furniture is properly clean before you try to apply the treatment. If the furniture isn’t clean, it’ll lead to dust getting stuck between the chair and coat of the product you’re applying. So, before you start applying anything to the chair, it’s the first time to clean everything properly. After you’re done cleaning, leave the furniture to dry in a favourable environment. Once the furniture is dry, you can begin applying the treatment of your choice to help improve the the method of protecting the wooden garden furniture. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to treat wooden garden furniture properly. Step 1 Before you start treating your outdoor wood furniture, it’s important to clean the furniture properly first. You don’t need to become particularly fancy with your cleaning techniques. All you need is some soapy water or a standard wood cleaning fluid. In most situations, all you need to do is clean the wooden garden furniture at the start, and it’s set for the rest of the year. Step 2 If you’re going to apply any sort of treatment on your wooden garden furniture, it’s important to ensure that the surface is completely clean. You can easily achieve this by sanding the surface properly. Then, after you’re done sanding, brush away the surface so you can get rid of any dust. Step 3 Before applying the treatment, always check the weather to ensure a clear sunny day. If the temperature is too cold or too hot, it can have a negative impact on the quality of your finish. Step 4 Apply the first coat of treatment via a long-haired brush that features natural bristles. You should always brush along the direction of the grain. It’s also a good idea to shake the product properly before you apply. The shaking can help ensure that you can avoid any issues. Step 5 If you apply the first coat and aren’t happy with the quality, you can always put on a second layer. However, before you apply the second coat, it’s important to wait for around 40-60 minutes so you can let the product dry properly. Step 6 After applying the second coat, leave your furniture out to dry in an area with shade. It’ll take around 48 hours for the treatment to dry, and then you can start using it again. How to Treat Weathered Wooden Garden Furniture While treating standard garden furniture and weathered garden furniture is mostly similar, there are a few extra steps that you’ll need to take. Step 1 Use either soap or wood cleaning fluid to give your wooden garden furniture an initial cleaning. Make sure you use a hose that features a medium pressure to avoid doing any potential damage to the furniture. Step 2 After the initial cleaning, you’ll need to use a brush to scrape off any excess debris present on the surface. It’s a good idea to wear gloves while doing this because there can be a number of fungi and bacteria present on the surface. Step 3 If you’re done brushing off the surface and there are dark mildew stains on the surface, you’ll need to use a mild bleach solution to clean everything effectively. Test out the bleach solution on an area that’s not particularly visible first so you can get an idea of the strength. Step 4 After you’re done applying the bleach solution, sand down the surface of the wooden furniture to reveal new wood. When sanding wood, it’s essential to always go along with the grain rather than against it. Step 5 Follow the same processes for applying the treatment and letting the furniture dry as you would with standard wooden furniture. After you finish the whole process, your weather wooden garden furniture will be good as new! Conclusion While buying wooden garden furniture is very in vogue, it’s essential to know how to properly take care of the material. If you haven’t been taking care of your wooden furniture, then there’s still time. The nature of wooden furniture means that it’s never too late to restore it to its former glory. All you need to do is clean the surface properly, remove any excess dust or fungus, and then apply the treatment you prefer the most!
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