Not all homes have patios built with them but for those who do have one have the pleasure of selecting the appropriate patio furniture to give beauty to the ambience. Patio furniture also referred to as garden furniture is basically a type of furniture set created and designed for use outdoor; sturdy enough to survive the rigors of rain and recurring sunlight. Usually patio furniture set consists of a table, four or 6 six chairs and a parasol which is a type of umbrella designed to provide shade against the sun. Common in a set of patio furniture would be a picnic table, long chairs often called chaise lounges, some people would also have patio heaters to enable them to sit outside a night or in a particularly cold weather.
Patio furniture are available based on a variety of materials used, some are made of plastic, stones, metals, vinyl, resins, glass and treated woods. What would probably be the cheapest ones are the pieces made of plastic. Though plastic patio furniture sets are naturally waterproof and can be left all year long outside but when rain water is collated the its nooks and crannies a considerable amount of dirt ensues. There are two major types of plastic used in patio furniture, resin and PVC; the cleaning methods for both plastic types are similar but the treating methods are a little different. It is advantageous if you know what type of plastic type you have so that cleaning and treating the furniture pieces after leaving them outside all year long won't be that much of a challenge. When cleaning resin plastic patio furniture it is advisable to make sure that you pre-heat any resin furniture with automotive paste wax and you buy a cover or tarp for winter storage. The simplest way of cleaning this furniture pieces made of resin is through the use of a water hose. If there's dirt or dried leaves caked on them, you can loosen it up with a bucket of warm water, a dish washing detergent and a sponge; just rinse it up with your water hose after cleaning. For PVC plastic patio furniture you can clean it up using water with a mixture of bleach on it then spray it on the furniture. To keep its shine, you can use non-gel toothpaste then wipe it out with a towel.
Another common type of patio furniture and most probably the second most popular selection amongst consumer is the teak patio furniture. Teak used to be considered royal wood and it is relatively found in Asia. What makes teak an ideal material for patio furniture is that it contains silica which make it resistant to fungal decay, the many effects of water and other chemicals. It is said to be resistant to fire and the natural oils found in it protects it from rapid decay and from the infiltration of wood-eating bugs.
Next are the aluminum patio furniture, these furniture pieces are protected by a powder that when compromised would corrode the furniture altogether, when this happens the patio furniture would be rendered useless. No matter what you've decided to buy, money and practicality should be the determining factors. Visit local home improvement shops to get a heads up on the pricing.
As summer comes and you are ready to enjoy the great outdoors, or at least your back porch, you may notice that your patio furniture is not as bright and attractive as it once was. The sun, wind, and dust that your patio furniture is exposed to on a daily basis do quite a number on its looks. If you are looking to learn how to clean patio furniture, here are some tips you should know.
Cleaning Resin or Plastic Patio Furniture
To clean resin or plastic patio furniture that is light in color, make a solution that includes 1-gallon of warm water, three quarters cup of bleach, and 1-tablespoon of laundry soap. If there is any coloring on the furniture, test a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure it will not damage the color. If the color brightens but does not become discolored, you can clean the entire piece.
Use the solution and a scrub brush with soft bristles to clean the entire piece. Then, leave the water solution on the furniture for around 15 minutes. Then rinse it thoroughly.
If the furniture is colored, use a solution made out of 1-gallon of warm water and 1-tablespoon of all-purpose cleaner. This eliminates the bleach, which can damage the coloration of the colored furniture. Again, after washing let the solution set on the furniture for around 10 to 15 minutes and rinse completely.
Unfinished Wood Patio Furniture
Unfinished wood furniture is really abused by the elements. One problem you face when cleaning unfinished wood is the fact that it tends to absorb excess water, which can cause it to warp or crack. To avoid this problem, make a solution out of a gallon of water, 1 cup of ammonia, and three quarters cup of vinegar. Scrub down your wood furniture with this solution, and then rinse it completely. After rinsing, use towels to take up any excess water.
Cleaning Patio Furniture Cushions
The cushions on your patio furniture are probably one of the most likely items to need a good cleaning. Most patio furniture pillows and cushions are washable, but check the label before you attempt washing them. If they are, wash them with soapy water and a sponge. Make sure that you rinse them well and wipe them as dry as you can.
Cleaning a Patio Umbrella
Patio umbrellas often grow mold. This happens because they get wet and then sit closed in the warm weather, making a moist, warm environment for mold to grow in. Not only is mold unsightly, but it is also a health hazard, so you need to deal with it.
To clean the mold off of a patio umbrella, make a solution with 1 gallon warm water, a squirt of liquid dish detergent, and three quarters cup of bleach. Test the color first on the inside of the umbrella. If it reacts well to the bleach, open the umbrella, don some rubber gloves, and scrub the umbrella using the solution and a brush with soft bristles. As soon as you are done, rinse the umbrella. If you find that the solution fades the colors on the umbrella, look on the tag to see what cleaning agents you can use. Always let the umbrella dry completely before you close it, as this can cause new mold to develop.
Aluminum Patio Furniture
To clean aluminum furniture, scrub the piece down with a plastic scrubber or steel wool using dish detergent. Put in plenty of elbow grease to make sure you get it good and clean. Rinse the furniture completely to remove all of the soap.
If the furniture is baked on aluminum, use a sponge instead of the plastic scrubber. Soak it with the dishwashing detergent. Work the sponge and the cleaner into the furniture and rinse. Dry it using a cloth and then finish with some car wax. Make sure the car wax does not get on the fabric or webbing on the piece of furniture. This will preserve the finish the furniture.
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