How To Care For Your Outdoor Wooden Furniture

Often the most attractive outdoor patio and deck furniture is made from wood. Wood is a natural product, but when exposed to moisture and changes in temperature and humidity, wood can respond in a variety of unappealing ways. Proper maintenance of your wood patio furniture will help it last through years of exposure to the elements.

Teak is the most alluring, and often the most expensive, outdoor wood furniture on the market. Teak is a beautiful, honey-colored, dense, tropical hardwood that is resistant to insect infestation and contains natural oils which make it resistant to rot and decay. Unfortunately, teak trees require at least 60 years to reach harvestable size, and, because teak furniture is in such high demand, teak supply is not as readily available as supplies of other woods like cedar, oak, or pine. With supplies not able to meet demand, the price of teak furniture has escalated every year. The advantage of teak, though, is that, with proper maintenance, it can last for more than 50 years, which makes the initial investment worth it for many homeowners. While cleaning teak is not necessary, it is not a bad idea to clean outdoor teak furniture each year to remove any buildup of pollen, sap, or mildew. Follow each cleaning with a coat of teak oil if you wish to keep the wood its original honey color.

Other tropical hardwoods, like Eucalyptus, have gained in popularity as the price of teak has grown prohibitive for many homeowners. Eucalyptus wood, like teak, is beautiful, dense, durable, and resistant to rot and insect infestation. The rapid growth of eucalyptus trees makes them more readily available and more easily affordable. Like outdoor teak furniture, outdoor eucalyptus furniture can be treated with teak oil following an annual cleaning to help preserve the wood's natural color.

Varieties of other outdoor wooden furniture include cedar, redwood, oak, and pine. These woods, though (especially pine), must be treated with a preservative to prevent decay, which can occur in a relatively short time depending on the climate. Protecting this wood furniture with a water-resistant stain, protective oil, or polyurethane is also recommended. A neighborhood garden and home products store has many products from which to choose, and a store associate should be able to assist you in selecting the most appropriate product.

In general, outdoor wood furniture should be cleaned once a year. Mix one tablespoon of bleach, five tablespoons of a gentle dishwashing liquid, and a gallon of water, and softly rub the surface of your wood furniture with a soft bristle brush. Wash the solution from the furniture, and allow it to dry completely in the sun. Repainting or restaining wood furniture could be necessary at this time to cover and protect any worn or damaged areas.

All woods are susceptible to rot and decay if left in wet and damp areas for extended periods of time. Wood that becomes saturated with rain water is more likely to warp and rot, so using waterproof patio furniture covers when your furniture is not in use is very much encouraged to keep your wood patio furniture in good shape. The bases of furniture legs are the most likely to be affected when it comes to water damage. If wood furniture is kept in the grass, at the poolside, or on a surface that collects even a small level of rain water, the legs can soak up the water and quickly rot. Covering the bottoms of each furniture leg with rubberized material or small sections of cedar fencing material will help protect your furniture from rotting from the bottom up.

Finally, exposure to chemicals including solvents and chlorine, and exposure to common items such as alcoholic beverages, plants and flower nectar, and hot items (off of a grill, for example) can ruin many wood finishes. It is also important to prevent plastic objects, like plastic table cloths, toys, placemats, and appliance covers, from lying on wood furniture for a long period of time because plastic can discolor wood. Plastic can also stick to and damage a wood finish.

The lifespan for any wooden patio furniture depends greatly on the type of wood used and the exposure to harsh weather elements. Properly maintaining your outdoor wood furniture can significantly improve its lifespan and maximize your investment. Outdoor wood furniture makes a comfortable, natural addition to any outdoor living area, and, with care, it will continue to make a great impression for years to come.