• Reupholster – Cushions and padding fades in the sun, and the more hours of direct sunlight your patio gets, the more faded your upholstered furniture will become.  New cushions and pads in a bold, new fabric will definitely give your furniture a new look.
• Re-stain – Hardwoods such as teak make great outdoor furniture, but every so often they need to have oil or a new stain applied in order to keep them in good shape.  Even if you prefer for your teak to have that silver, weather-worn look, it will still benefit from a good sanding.
• Paint – A fresh coat of paint can give nearly anything a facelift.  Furthermore, paint technology has advanced considerably in recent years, and you can find specialized coatings to resist rust or mildew or which have UV protection, and other features that make it great for outdoor furniture.
• Repair – Wicker comes undone, legs become uneven or wobbly, hardware gets rusty, cracks appear, water damage occurs, and other countless issues can befall your outdoor furniture.  A simple repair may mean you get to enjoy the piece more than ever.
• Accessorize – Add colorful accessories to your outdoor seating.  Add bold and bright throw pillows or a new umbrella, and you deck or porch can become your family’s new favorite hangout.
• Clean – Often something as simple as a thorough washing can refresh your patio furniture.  With the right cleaning solutions and a little “elbow grease,” you can get your outdoor table and chairs or other furniture ready to enjoy for the remainder of the nice weather.

Give your outdoor furniture the attention it needs to stay in good shape, and you’ll be able to enjoy it for many days to come.  However, if you’re not sure how to make the repair needed, feel uneasy applying the right stain, or just don’t have the time to give your deck chairs and patio furniture the attention they need, call on a good local furniture refinishing company.  Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering is the best furniture restoration shop Jacksonville, Riverside, San Marco, and Atlantic Beach homeowners call for their furniture needs. We specialize in repairs, restoration, and reupholstering, and would love to help you create the look you’re dreaming of for your outdoor furniture.

The post Refresh Your Outdoor Furniture first appeared on Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering.

To begin with, nearly any type of outdoor furniture can receive the following general cleaning:

1. Wipe down each piece of furniture with a soft, dry towel.  This will remove the majority of loose dirt, leaves, and other debris that will have collected on your furniture while in use outdoors.  
2. Make a simple, homemade cleaning solution to help with any residue or buildup, including mold, mildew, and mud.  Mix no more than a tablespoon of mild dish detergent with 1 gallon of warm water, and you’ll have a solution that is gentle yet effective, and able to be used on almost any type of furniture.  Remember to check the manufacturer’s guidelines for your furniture to make sure this mixture is safe for the type of material it is.  
3. Make sure the surface is then properly rinsed and thoroughly dried.

Depending on the material of your deck furniture, give the piece a more thorough clean, as follows:

• Metal: Wrought iron furniture is sturdy, but is still susceptible to rust when exposed to moisture.  Remove any rust that has accumulated by gently dry-scrubbing with a soft, wire brush or lightly sanding the rust away and wiping it clean.  Aluminum furniture can be washed using the dish detergent solution described above, then thoroughly dried.  If possible, store metal furniture indoors, but if it must be kept outside, cover all pieces in a heavy duty tarp or cover.
• Upholstery: Fabric cushions and padding and other upholstery needs to be properly cared for before being stored.  Acrylic fibers are designed to deter mildew and mold, but can still acquire some buildup, especially in climates that are generally warm and wet, such as ours.  Give each cushion a good shake to rid it of dust, and vacuum any cushions or areas that are especially dusty or dirty.  If you have a fabric umbrella, shake it out and wipe it down.  Examine the umbrella to make sure no insects have built nests in any of the folds during recent months.  Clean all surfaces, even the umbrella fabric, with the dish detergent solution and allow it to dry.  If it is to be stored, all fabric, and in particular anything with foam padding, must be stored in a dry space to prevent mildew from growing on it.
• Plastic: Plastic needs little special attention.  Once you’ve wiped it down with a dry cloth, and cleaned it with the dish detergent solution, hose it off with your garden hose and towel it dry, and it’s ready for storage.  Plastic can become brittle in extreme weather, so it does need to be stored inside, or at the very least, covered with a vinyl or plastic covering.
• Wood: Painted wood will fade, and natural wood can warp and splinter in extreme weather.  Wicker and rattan furniture is delicate, and cannot withstand the winter weather.  Wipe down all wood furniture with a soft towel.  If possible, moisten the towel with a small amount of the dish detergent solution in order to scrub away buildup.  Be sure this solution is thoroughly removed and that the area is completely dry.

With the right precautions and cleaning, your outdoor furniture will remain in great shape for many future seasons of use.  However, it’s still a good idea to call on the best furniture refinishing service in your area when the time comes to refresh or repair your patio furniture.  Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering is the best furniture refinishing service Jacksonville FL homeowners choose.  We specialize in making outdoor furniture look beautiful, whether that means repairing it, refinishing it, or upholstering its cushions in a brand new, exciting fabric.  Call on us to clean and prep your furniture for storage, and then to revitalize it when winter is over!  

The post Cleaning Your Outdoor Furniture for Winter Storage first appeared on Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering.

Tips for getting started on your furniture cleaning project:

• Check the labels.  Regardless of the type of furniture you will be working on, your first step in any cleaning project should be to consult the manufacturer’s guidelines.  The manufacturer will provide at least basic care instructions, whether on a tag on the furniture itself, or on the company website.  It’s important to note that if you ignore the manufacturer’s instructions and damage the furniture, you’ll likely void the warranty.
• Use protective gear.  In most furniture cleaning projects, you’ll get dirty and probably wet, so wear old clothes.  You may want to wear rubber gloves or work gloves and possibly even eye protection, depending on the chemicals you’ll be handling.
• Start with a simple, safe cleaning solution.  Mix ¼ cup of dishwashing soap with 1 gallon of warm water, and you’ll have a simple cleaner that’s safe for most surfaces.  As long as the manufacturer’s guidelines permit it, this simple solution can be applied using a soft brush or cloth to nearly any surface of outdoor furniture, rinsed with plain water, and dried with a cloth.  Start with this basic cleaner before using more expensive and more powerful chemicals.

Tips for cleaning different types of patio furniture:

• FABRIC – Most of the fabrics used in outdoor furniture are designed and treated to resist sun damage, moisture, and mildew, but still need a thorough cleaning from time to time.  Begin by checking the label on your fabric, because in some cases, removable covers can be machine-washed, making your job pretty easy.  For fabric that cannot be machine-washed, begin by rubbing off as much dirt and grime as you can using a damp rag.  Next, try the mixture of mild dishwashing soap, applying it with a rag, and rinsing thoroughly.  If there are stains and debris that are still there, combine 1 quart of warm water, 1 teaspoon of dishwashing soap, and 1 tablespoon of borax.  Use a sponge to apply the mixture, then let it sit for 1 minute.  Rinse it off with a hose, and pat the surface dry with a cloth.  

• PLASTIC – Plastic all-weather furniture is almost always made of either PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PE (polyethylene).  Plastic furniture is easily kept clean applying the mild dishwashing mixture and rinsing with a hose.  To rid your plastic patio furniture of mildew and other tough stains, create a mixture of 10 parts water and 1 part chlorinated bleach.  As long as the manufacturer’s guidelines permit it, apply this solution to the mildew until it is removed.  

• WICKER – The fibers used to make wicker are highly susceptible to sunlight, and are easily damaged by moisture.  For those reasons, wicker patio furniture should always be covered when not in use.  To clean wicker, start by brushing the fibers with a dry paintbrush to remove bugs, leaves, and other debris.  Then, use the attachment on your vacuum to further clean the fibers.  If further cleaning is necessary, dampen a rag with water and oil-based soap and apply it to the furniture, if the product guidelines permit.  Wipe a damp sponge across the fibers to rinse them, and then thoroughly dry the fibers with a cloth.  

• WOOD – Most types of wood used in outdoor furniture are chosen for their ability to resist decay and withstand the elements.  Some woods are also treated by the manufacturer to enhance these capabilities.  To clean wood furniture, begin by wiping away dirt, cobwebs, and debris using a soft brush or rag.  To remove bird droppings, rust, and other surface buildup, scrape the buildup away and then sand lightly along the wood grain, using a fine grit sandpaper.  Then, move on to the mild dishwashing soap mixture.  Apply it with a sponge or rag, rinse it with the hose, and pat it dry with a cloth.  
• METAL – Wrought iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals are often used for outdoor furniture.  Since most metals rust, metal outdoor furniture will often be finished with a clear varnish, paint, or powder coating.  These coatings can almost always be cleaned with the mixture of warm water and mild dishwashing soap.  Apply the mixture with a sponge or rag, then rinse with a hose, and pat dry with a dry rag or cloth.  To remove rust or mold, sand the area lightly with fine grit sandpaper and then wipe it clean with a damp cloth.  Touch up any paint or other coating that was removed, according to the manufacturer.

Tips for long term care of your outdoor furniture:

• In order to preserve your outdoor furniture, it’s always best to begin cleaning it with the mildest solutions and methods and work up to stronger methods.  For example, try to remove stains and dirt using the mild dishwashing mixture, and if that doesn’t work, move on to a more abrasive solution.  Pressure washing, bleach, and other extreme measures may sometimes be called for, but should never be the first method applied.  
• Cover your outdoor furniture when not in use.  If you’ll be out of town for the weekend, pull the furniture under an awning or overhang, or cover it with a tarp.  When you’re finished using a piece for the season, clean it, cover it, and store it safely in the garage or shed.  
• If routine furniture cleaning and maintenance are not your ‎forté, call a highly rated furniture refinishing service in your area and let one of their teams maintain your furniture.  High quality outdoor furniture will last for a long time, even in blazing Florida sun and heavy rains, but only with the proper care.  

The Best Furniture Refinishing In Jacksonville FL

If your outdoor furniture has been neglected, damaged, or is simply needing to be restored to its original beauty, count on Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering for the job.  We specialize in making outdoor furniture look beautiful, whether that means repairing it, refinishing it, or upholstering its cushions in a brand new, exciting fabric.  Let us restore your outdoor patio so that you can enjoy your outdoor space to the fullest!

The post Outdoor Furniture Cleaning Tips first appeared on Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering.

Sunbrella fabric was introduced in the 60s as an innovative alternative to the traditional cotton awnings. Sunbrella quickly gained popularity as its acrylic blend was better at resisting fade and offered a guarantee against the elements. By the mid 70s, Sunbrella had caught the attention of the boating industry, and the durable, high-quality materials were easily adopted as sail covers and boat tops. By the 1980s, Sunbrella had easily transitioned into outdoor furniture upholstery. Their award-winning formula of high-performance, durable material with the look and feel of cotton makes the perfect outdoor upholstery, and is the choice of furniture manufacturers and upholsterers across the nation and abroad.

Benefits of Using Sunbrella in Your Home

Sunbrella is the trusted and preferred fabric among Jacksonville, Florida homes, as well. Northeast Florida gets its share of blazing sunshine, high humidity, sand and salt, and daily rain showers, and you want a high quality outdoor fabric that can withstand the elements. Sunbrella fabric is resistant to mildew, and its high-performance acrylic blend not only resists fade, but is easy to clean. Beyond that, it is soft to the touch and comes in any color and pattern you can dream up! Sunbrella fabric is a perfect choice for your outdoor space, whether you have a sundrenched balcony in Jacksonville Beach, or a shady patio in Mandarin.

Taking Care of Your Sunbrella Fabric

One of the countless benefits of Sunbrella fabric is that it is easy to clean. Keep your Sunbrella upholstery looking great by maintaining it with these tips.

Light cleaning:

• Brush off loose dirt

• Combine ¼ cup of mild soap (such as Dawn dishwashing liquid) per gallon of warm water and use a sponge to clean the surface

• Allow the cleaning solution to soak into the fabric

• Rinse to remove soap residue

• Allow fabric to air dry

Spot cleaning:

• Combine into a spray bottle a mixture of mild soap and lukewarm water

• Apply a light mist to the surface and lightly scrub the cleaning solution into the stain with a sponge

• Rinse to remove soap residue

• Blot excess moisture or water with a cloth

• Allow fabric to air dry, and repeat steps if necessary

Hand washing (for removable fabrics):

• Combine ¼ cup of mild soap per gallon of warm water and soak fabric in it

• Use a sponge or cloth to lightly scrub affected area

• Rinse to remove soap residue

• Allow fabric to air dry

Sunbrella fabric is specially treated to repel water, and after a thorough cleaning, your upholstery may need to be re-treated. The Sunbrella company recommends 303 Fabric Guard .

Applying 303 Fabric Guard :

• Clean the fabric using one of the techniques above

• Allow the fabric to air dry completely

• Apply a thin, even coat of 303 Fabric Guard in a well-ventilated area, and in accordance with the directions on the container

• Apply a second thin coat (two thin coats are more effective than one thicker coat)

Sunbrella fabric is the ideal material for outdoor upholstering, and the first choice among outdoor upholstering companies. Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering, Jacksonville’s premier furniture upholstering company, is proud to offer Sunbrella fabric. Let us give your outdoor living space the best there is for outdoor upholstery.

The post Sunbrella Fabric – A Popular Choice for Outdoor Furniture in Jacksonville, Florida first appeared on Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering.