How to Protect Outdoor Furniture

Alright, folks. We’re tackling a very adult topic today. It’s so grimy, you’ll need elbow grease. So dingy, you’ll need (a mild) soap. Today, we're talking about how to protect your outdoor furniture.

Many of us have never invested in outdoor furniture. And if we have, it hasn’t been the kind we’ve cared much about. But if you’re done with your dingy white plastic chairs and ready to invest, a little TLC will go a long way.

Let’s start with some gentle expectations-setting. Hold the pressure washer and the bleach: we’re going to walk you through how to protect your outdoor furniture so it will live a long comfy, stylish life.

How to care for outdoor furniture materials

Different materials require different levels of care, but there are a few do’s and don’ts you can apply, no matter what material your outdoor furniture is made of:

Do use a gentle soap
Don’t use harsh chemicals
Do use a soft, non-abrasive cloth
Don’t use a pressure washer
Do defer to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Don’t mess this up. (Just kidding … kind of.)

Now let’s get specific.

Wooden outdoor furniture.

Kim and Scott Vargo of Yellow Brick Home keep their Teaka table looking sparkling — probably because they're following these cleaning instructions.

If you can care for a cactus, you can care for outdoor wood furniture. That said, some woods fare better than others in the great outdoors. At Article, we primarily use Teak and Acacia because they’re solid, hardy, and resilient.

We use Teak in a range of products like our Tana Stool, Sardis Table, and Palmera Sofa. We love this material because it’s dense and oily, giving it a natural defense against rain, cold, heat, and wind. The oil seals the wood, repelling both ravenous termites and invasive moisture. Acacia, when finished, has a similar resilience.

Teak is naturally dense and oily. The oil it produces is like a force field. Rain, cold, heat, and wind are no match for it. The oil seals the wood, repelling ravenous termites and invasive moisture alike. Finished acacia has similar resilience, starring in products like the Lubek Dining Set and Callais Coffee Table.

The general cleaning instructions for wood furniture are pretty straightforward. Wipe away dirt twice a year with a damp, non-abrasive cloth. For stubborn spots, dip a cloth in a mixture of gentle dish soap and warm water, wring out the excess liquid, and wipe the spot. Then, dry the area with a second cloth. To remove mildew, apply the same solution to the affected area and gently scrub with a soft-bristle brush.

Of course, external factors force you to clean your furniture a little more often. If you position your wood furniture around a pool or hot tub, wipe it down with water once a week. As chlorine accumulates, it’ll gnaw away at the wood’s finish.

Over time, all wooden furniture will show signs of aging. Teak and acacia develop a silver patina that, like George Clooney’s salt and pepper, just adds to its naughty charm.

Metal outdoor furniture.

Modern, industrial—without the rust, please. While typically easy to care for, some metals can be prone to corrosion, oxidation, and scuff marks. At Article, we use durable materials like powder-coated steel, as on our Sarek Dining Table, and high-quality aluminum, like on our Medan Lounge Chair, to combat these effects.

Contrary to what you’d imagine, cleaning steel and aluminum requires a delicate hand… and a rag and some warm, soapy water. For mildew removal or an extra bit of shine, wipe your metal down with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water. No need to be aggressive, a light wipe will do. Be sure to rinse the metal thoroughly and pat it dry. Leaving excess water or cleaning agents behind can result in stains and discoloration.

Plastic outdoor furniture.

Dot chairs sparkle in the sunlight (thanks to a little soap and water).

Plastic has the potential to be the outdoor living room’s stylish, colorful workhorse. But buyer beware—not all plastics are created equal. Plastic furniture can be durable, UV-resistant, and crack-proof, but only if it’s high quality. At Article, we use polypropylene in pieces like our Svelti Armchair and Dot Chair, so you get all the aesthetic and functional benefits of plastic with none of the flimsy downsides. To keep colorful polypropylene furniture bright, move it out of direct sunlight when it’s not in use.

For day-to-day cleaning, all you need is dish soap diluted with warm water, and a damp cloth. Skip the bleach. A sprinkle of baking soda on a wet sponge is abrasive enough to remove stains but gentle enough not to scratch the plastic.

Rattan wicker outdoor furniture.

Alexandragrater keeps her rattan Avila Swivel chair looking top-shelf by keeping it clean and out of the rain. (Psst: we like her Calova Side Table too!).

Like most beautiful, refined things, rattan is a little high-maintenance. You’ll hear rattan and wicker thrown around synonymously. But there’s a big difference. Wicker actually refers to the weaving technique —not the material— and different types of wicker require different types of care.

At Article, we make most of our wicker furniture from rattan, a climbing vine found in tropical paradises. While robust enough for Tarzan to swing on, rattan is still susceptible to the elements, especially when left in its natural form. Exposure to water can cause rattan to swell. If you live in a rainy climate, store your rattan in a covered place to protect it.

A gentle hand makes for clean, happy rattan. Use a soft cloth and warm water to wipe down your piece, but hold the soap. Avoid scrubbing and water saturation, even when challenging a stubborn smudge. Scrubbing could strip the material and expose its fleshy innards to water damage. Blot away excess moisture and allow the piece to air dry when you’ve finished.

How to care for outdoor fabrics

That moment when your sanctuary is so calm and chill, and then a frothy white dollop of poo drops from the sky and splatters all over your favorite throw pillow. From bird projectiles to UV rays to spilly guests, outdoor fabrics take a lot of abuse. The good news is, they’re made for this stuff. Outdoor-grade fabrics, like the ones used to make our Paras Umbrella, or solution-dyed yarns like Olefin used to upholster our Callais Sofa are resistant to stains, mildew, fading, and abrasions. In other words, these fabrics are capital T tough.

See how Nicole Pankopp of @simplyalignedhome keeps her Lubek Sectional in top form? Very demure. Very mindful.

Day-to-day care.

Unless you enjoy sitting in a bug graveyard, you probably give your outdoor furniture a brush down on the regular. For anything that won’t dust off with a broom, bring out the big guns: your vacuum’s fabric attachment. It’s the small rectangular piece with soft bristles around the suction area often left to fester in our cleaning cabinets. Don’t forget the seams!

Basic cleaning.

Now, there are many types of fabrics you’ll encounter: throw pillows, outdoor cushions, and covers to name a few. To wash, start the same way as you would a new shirt: check the care label for instructions. At Article, we recommend seeing a professional cleaner for most of our slipcovers. For smaller marks, simply blot the stain with a dry cloth, and then flush with soapy water. More information on that in three… two… one…

Spot cleaning.

No need to cry over spilled wine. For any and all stains, always blot, never rub. Spray on a cleaning solution of water and mild soap. Let sit. Rinse away all soapy residue.

If someone spills an oil-based liquid like salad dressing or suntan lotion, use a dusting of an absorbent like cornstarch to sop up the mess and remove it with a straight edge. Then, use a spray bottle to apply a mild cleaning solution mixed with water. Soap and water remains the best option. Rise the fabric thoroughly, paying special care to clear all suds from the affected area. Leave it to air dry.

Mildew.

Mildew: the true nemesis of outdoor furniture. Rain-soaked loungers and wet patio cushions make the perfect breeding ground for mildew, which thrives in humid and damp environments. On outdoor fabrics, mildew looks like a powdery plume of white, gray or yellow. In more severe cases, mildew turns brown or black… which means you are now dealing with mold.

Spot some grossness? All is not lost. Depending on the severity, you can rid the fabric of mildew in a number of ways. Just be sure to work swiftly. If you leave mildew untreated, it gets unsightly, smelly, and potentially dangerous real fast.

First things first, prep yourself and the fabric. Wear a mask to prevent mold spores from entering your lungs. For best results, use a soft brush on the mildew spots to gently loosen the spots from the fibers. Then apply one of the following cleaning solutions:

For major-league mildew, rid the stains with Borax or bleach. (Never use these ingredients together — the mixture will produce a poisonous gas.) Remember to use chemicals with caution and always consult your care label first.

If you opt for a Borax solution, mix 1/4 cup borax into one cup of hot water. Rub the solution over the mildew spots with a rag, allowing the solution to soak into the fabric. Wait an hour then rinse it with clean water.

Only use a bleach solution if you’re one million percent certain your fabric is colorfast. Even then, do a spot test before proceeding, ideally in a concealed part of the fabric. Dilute 1⁄2 cup of bleach into a gallon of water. Use a spray bottle to apply the mixture to the affected area. Don’t let the solution sit for too long. Lightly scrub the fabric until the mildew is gone, then rinse the cushion with water.

Getting rid of mildew:

For major league mildew, rid the stains with borax or bleach. (Not together, of course.) Use chemicals with caution and always consult your care label.

To attend a stain with borax, mix 1/4 cup borax into one cup of hot water. Rub the solution over the mildew spots with a rag, allowing the solution to soak into the fabric. Wait an hour then rinse it with clean water.

Only use a bleach solution if you’re one million percent certain your fabric is colorfast. Even then, do a spot test before proceeding. Dilute 1⁄2 cup of bleach into a gallon of water. Use a spray bottle to apply the mixture to the infected area. Don’t let the solution sit for too long. Lightly scrub the fabric until the mildew is gone, then rinse the cushion with water.

Re-treating Your Fabric.

After a few summers, you might notice some fabrics lose their water-repelling luster. To combat soggy material, treat your materials with fabric-guard from your local hardware store.

How's the weather? Invest in protection

Batten down the umbrella! Secure the cushions! Cover the sofa! Move the whole thing inside! Freak hail storms happen. Like a good adult, it’s important to know the forecast so you can take the appropriate steps to protect your outdoor furniture.

SKU20764-Hofte Sofa Cover-ODS039-2022-03-01

Our line of furniture covers is a good place to start. They’re made with polyester and finished with PU for premium weatherproofing. They may not be pretty, but they’ll shield your furniture even in the most blustering of storms.

The best defense is a strong offense, so consider applying a protective coating. Buff aluminum and plastic furniture with a little car wax to make it look shiny and new. Apply a coat of finish or varnish to wicker and wood. Spray a silicone sealant or protective paint to iron to prevent rust from forming. Not only will a protectant make your furniture sparkle, but it’ll add summers to its lifespan.

Then, there’s always storage. Outdoor storage doesn’t have to mean a large plastic bin that haunts a corner of your otherwise HGTV-ready exterior. Storage can become a part of the aesthetic. Take our ORA storage coffee table. While adorable and delicate looking, this trojan horse is ready to battle Mother Nature. Made of waterproof, synthetic wicker and lined with polyester fabric, your throw pillows, blankets, and lights are safe here.

Before bidding your furniture adieu for the season, give it a good wipe down using the basic cleaning instructions we’ve provided. Protect materials with the appropriate sealants. Make sure everything is completely, 150%, without-a-doubt dry before you put it away.

Store your furniture carefully so it looks just as good coming out as it did going in. This takes a bit more thought than you might think. If your first instinct is to store fabrics and cushions in plastic bags, think again—plastic bags are a hotbed for mildew. Instead, use cloth bags to let the fabric breathe, or better yet, an outdoor furniture cover.

Repeat after us: Cool and dry. Cool. And dry. This is your mantra for any furniture storage. The biggest storage battle you’ll face is humidity and moisture. If you’re lucky enough to own a patio and a garage (wow, blessed), lay down a plastic sheet to prevent moisture from affecting your furniture. Something is better than nothing, so if you’re in a pinch, even a layer of cardboard will do. Then, elevate your furniture off the floor with wood pallets or cinder blocks to prevent water damage. Finally, throw a drop cloth over top to keep everything dust-free. Of course, if you have furniture covers, just use those.

Remember: Outdoor furniture is durable, but not indestructible. With minimal effort and a little TLC, your outdoor living room will be cocktail, lounge, or party-ready for summers on end, no matter what the weather brings.