Garden Furniture

Sitting Pretty in Your Outdoor Room

Look at all the types of outdoor furniture available!  
Here is OGG's primer on selecting and caring for garden furnishings. 

Select all-welded construction.  The strongest finishes are electrostatically applied and baked on.  This makes for a smooth surface that resists scratches, chips and fading in the sun.

The surface will require touchups every three to four years, and a total refinishing will be required occasionally.  You can avoid or minimize refinishing by covering wrought iron when not in use.

Cedar and redwood are also quite durable, but should be protected over the winter months.  Painting and refinishing will be regularly required.  Shorea is a newcomer to the scene - hard and durable as teak, but slightly less grain in the wood.  It is less expensive than teak.

Modern "faux wicker" furniture is now made from synthetic materials which are durable and weather resistant.  Poly-resin plastics on aluminum framing can be made to look identical to wicker, but should be stored under cover during the winter months.

Resin comes in a variety of shades (that hide dirt nicely!), many attractive styles, and it is easy to care for.  Storing indoors in winter will prolong the lifespan of this type of garden furniture.

Umbrellas:  Clean with mild soap and water and a brush.  Spray silicone on the joints of wire frames, and use wax or furniture polish on wooden umbrellas.

Outdoor Wicker:  Use a soft-bristle brush or vacuum with brush attachment to remove surface dust.  Rinse with a hose every month or so, and occasionally clean with a mild detergent.  Completely rinse and allow to air dry.

Cushions:  Vacuum regularly.  Use a sponge and mild soap and water for regular cleaning.  Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry.  If cushions are mildewed, use a solution of one cup of bleach and a squirt of detergent per gallon of water.  Scrub with a soft brush, rinse and dry.  Test an inconspicuous spot before using bleach.

Tempered Glass:  Use commercial glass cleaner, or use a soft cloth and mild detergent and water.

Wood:  Some manufacturers recommend occasional applications of oil.  Otherwise, clean with mild detergent and water.  Some woods like teak can stay outdoors all year.  Others like pine, oak and cedar should be stored indoors during winter.  Painted or stained woods will required re-doing every few years.

Poly-Resin:  Rinse with a hose every few weeks.  Apply a good resin furniture cleaner a few times during the season.  There are products specifically made for resin furniture that will repel stains.  These can be a God-send on table tops that are in the "fly zones" of your neighborhood birds.

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