Outdoor Furniture Care and Cleaning

One of the best ways to keep your cushions or outdoor fabrics looking good and delaying the need for vigorous cleaning is to regularly hose them off with cold water during the summer season, which will help prevent dirt becoming imbedded in the fabric. In most environments, fabrics should be cleaned each year, prior to the summer season. We recommend you leave the cushion covers on and umbrellas be left on the frame during the cleaning process.  We also suggest you clean your cushions and store them in a dry, well ventilated area after they have dried completely.

• Brush away dirt particles including leaves, flowers, branches and dried bird droppings. Use a handy nylon-bristled brush or broom. If you have a leaf blower, this will work well to blow off fallen leaves and accumulated dust and dirt.
• Hose away stuck-on dust and dirt. Use the garden hose to quickly wash away all the grime, animal-related droppings and residue, as well as plant-related sap and stains.
• Scrub off stubborn stains. Use soapy water (1 gallon of warm water with ¼ cup dishwashing detergent) and a nylon-bristled brush or old toothbrush to scrub off any filth or stain that didn't come off with the hosing down. Rinse with clean water.

• Clean, polish and protect aluminum furniture with a soft cloth dipped in water-and-vinegar solution. Avoid abrasive materials that can scratch the aluminum.
• Polish and protect metal and plastic furniture with a couple of thin coats of car wax on all the exposed areas.
• Check the integrity of painted metal furniture. When rust develops or when bubbles and irregularities appear on the painted surface (indication that rust is developing underneath the paint), consider touching-up the piece before the situation worsens.

Left alone to age, the natural color of teak furnishings will weather to a soft, silver grey. This process will take approximately nine months, depending on the degree of sunlight and rain exposure. Imperfections, which are inherent properties of the wood, will show over time, enhancing the beauty of the furniture. In humid or wet climates, or after rains, the wood may naturally expand and contract, causing the grain to rise. This is to be expected with exposure to the elements and will stabilize after the initial weathering occurs. 

To maintain wood furnishings, use a soft bristled utility brush and stroke lightly in the direction of the grain to remove surface dust. For more stubborn dirt, the wood may be washed periodically with a mild solution of four parts laundry detergent or dishwashing soap to one part bleach in water, then rinsed thoroughly and allowed to dry completely. Commercial teak cleaner may be used to maintain or restore the natural color and luster of teak wood, regardless of how long the piece has been outside. Oiling outdoor teak may cause mildew or irregular coloring. Depending on climate exposure, furnishings may need to be treated one or more times a year as desired.

Note: Some suntan and sun block products may be harmful to resin, Suncloth® cushions, Versatex® mesh, and vinyl lace and strap. Do not allow such products to come in contact with any seating surfaces to avoid deep penetrating stains, which are not covered under most warranties.