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How To Clean and Store Your Outdoor Furniture

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Whether you’re storing your outdoor furniture while you’re away on vacation, packing it away for winter, or putting it in long term storage, our tips will help ensure it’s clean, protected, and ready to enjoy again when the time comes!

  • To clean fabric: Give each cushion and pad a good shake, and remove all debris from the cracks and crevices.  If stains or residue are present, prepare a mixture of ¼ cup of Dawn dish detergent in one gallon of lukewarm water and wipe down the surfaces, giving extra attention to stains and buildup.  Use a soft cloth or a soft-bristled brush to gently remove residue.  Make sure all mold and mildew is removed, or else it can continue growing in storage.  
  • To clean plastic: Plastic furniture is easy to maintain, and you can usually get it good and clean by just spraying it with your garden hose and toweling it off.  For persistent mold, mildew, or algae, you may be able to spray the stain with bleach before hosing it off, provided the manufacturer’s label permits this.  You’ll want to test a small inconspicuous area to make sure there are no adverse effects of using the bleach.  As easy as plastic is to clean, however, it’s still important to store it indoors, as it can become brittle in cold weather.  
  • To clean metal: Wrought iron furniture is sturdy, but can still acquire rust spots.  Gently scrub away any rust that has accumulated, using a soft, wire brush.  More extreme rust areas may need to be sanded, and you’ll want to get in touch with the best furniture refinishing service in your area to coat the affected areas or perhaps even paint or finish the entire piece.  Aluminum outdoor furniture is often powder coated, and can be washed using the dish detergent mixture, and then dried thoroughly with a towel.
  • To clean wood: Your wood patio furniture needs to be brought in when not in use, or covered, at the very least.  Painted coatings will fade, and natural wood can warp and splinter when left in the elements, particularly in the extreme weather we often have in Jacksonville in the winter.  Cleaning wood can be tricky.  You don’t want to use bleach on wood, and you don’t want to scrub the surface too hard, or else the wood may begin to “fur.”  In many cases, the gentle dish detergent cleaning solution may be used, along with a clean cloth to gently scrub residue, as long as the solution is thoroughly rinsed away and the surface area is completely dried.  It’s often best to find a great furniture refinisher and make an appointment for your wood furniture to be safely cleaned by professionals when needed, and before putting the pieces into storage.
  • To clean glass: More and more patio tables come with glass tops, and you’ll want to give the glass a good cleaning before covering it for storage.  Gently scrape away wax buildup and other residue, and then clean the surface with glass cleaner and a soft cloth.  If there is extreme residue and soils, wash off the area with your dish detergent mixture, and then follow with the glass cleaner.  

Once your furniture is properly cleaned, you’ll need to find the right spot to store it.  Fold and tie umbrellas, cover any items that can be covered, and store all pieces in a covered area that is as dry as possible.  An outdoor shed is acceptable, but inside the garage is even better.  If you have a sunroom or other such area you won’t be using for the colder months, that would be an ideal temporary storage place.  If your outdoor furniture includes tile mosaic patterning inlays, you’ll definitely want to store it inside, as a cold snap can crack the tiles.

When it comes to fine furniture, antique furniture, and heirloom pieces, Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering is the best service company for your furniture care or restoration project.  We know furniture, and furniture is our passion.  Our highly trained craftsmen can reupholster your tired sofa in a brand new fabric and restore your dusty antique to its rightful splendor, and yes – we can even simply clean and prepare your furniture for storage.  Or, if your patio pieces have been in storage for months or years, we can make the necessary repairs and restore each item so that you and your family can begin enjoying them again when the beautiful weather returns.  Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Riverside, Ortega, and Jacksonville homeowners know we are the best furniture refinishing service and the company to trust with your favorite pieces.

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