How to Maintain Outdoor Furniture, Vehicles, & Appliances

It goes without saying that any outdoor furniture or appliance requires a well-fitted, weatherproof outdoor furniture cover, to protect it from moisture and the elements. But many homeowners are not aware of other measures people can take to maintain items, thus saving them time and money in the future.

The first step towards protecting and maintaining your outdoor furniture, vehicles, and appliances is to know a bit more about the types of wear and tear they can be subjected to. There are two main dangers threatening your outdoor items: moisture and weathering. Many people don’t realize that, aside from direct rain or water, general moisture in the air can also affect your furniture, leading to internal breakdown of the wood, even if it is kept inside a shed or garage. A good waterproof patio furniture cover, car cover, or boat cover should adequately protect your items from moist air, even while in a shed. As for weathering, the combined effects of UV radiation from the sun, abrasion by sand and other particles, as well as moisture in the air cause degradation of the surfaces of your items. This can lead to color change, peeling, and erosion of finishes.

With the right outdoor patio furniture covers and proper care and maintenance, you can prevent both internal moisture and external weather damage to your furniture and vehicles. Here are a few general guidelines on preventative care and maintenance:

1. First and foremost, buy fitted, weatherproof, and durable outdoor furniture covers. Be sure to purchase the right cover for your item. You may not think your appliance has a custom cover available, but think again: you can find anything, including golf cart covers, an outdoor grill cover, motorcycle covers, custom car covers, and almost any other type of cover you need. Remember: even if your item is kept under a tarp or in a shed, you still need to purchase a good furniture cover or other cover, to protect it from general moisture, UV radiation, and air particles.
2. Stay away from spray-on water repellants, linseed oils, or other natural oils. These products are not recommended for outdoor furniture, as air particles will stick to them, and they may lead to mildew fungi and surface deterioration as well. A patio table and chair cover will do the trick, without any need for possibly harmful extra sprays or finishes.
3. Wash your furniture or vehicle about twice a year with a mild soap and wet rag. Even with an outdoor patio furniture cover or car cover, your items will still naturally accumulate minimal amounts of dust and grime, which can affect the surface over time. If your furniture is near a pool, hose them down regularly to clean off harmful chlorine, which can damage the finish when not covered with a patio furniture cover during use. Also be sure to wash your items before stowing them away for the winter.
4. If you are varnishing your wooden items, avoid doing so on top of screws. The natural weathering of your furniture, even with an outdoor furniture cover, will cause swelling and shrinking around the screws. If they are clogged with varnish, this process may damage your items.

Again, remember to cover all items with fitted outdoor patio furniture covers, no matter how large, small, or exposed they are to the outdoors. This is the golden rule of outdoor furniture protection. That, along with these other easy steps, will help keep your outdoor furniture and vehicles looking good as new for many enjoyable years.