ALUMINUM
- Aluminum is long-lasting, durable material that requires very little care on the part of the owner. It will withstand most climates.
- High quality aluminum furniture is powder-coated. This high temperature process gives the aluminum a rich finish and helps to reduce scratches and dents.
- It is important to remember that even powder coated finishes can erode in harsh, salty environments.
How to Clean Aluminum Furniture
- To remove dirt and large debris from aluminum furniture, remove cushions and use a garden hose to spray the metal.
- Do NOT use a pressure washer on aluminum furniture as it could damage the powder-coating or the integrity of the metal.
- After you have removed all large debris, fill a bucket with mild detergent and water. Using a soft cloth or brush, go over each piece of furniture to remove any remaining sediment.
- Pay special attention to the underside of the furniture and joints.
How to Protect Aluminum Furniture
- To maintain the luster of the powder coated cast aluminum frame, you must first clean the furniture as instructed above, and then apply a high quality automotive wax at the beginning of each season.
- Touch up paint can be used on all aluminum frames to cover any scratches or scrapes. DO NOT allow scratches to go untreated or it could compromise the finish.
- If your furniture has already begun to oxidize, a clear coat spray can help restore some of the luster.
TEAK
- Teak is one of the most sought after hardwoods for the outdoors due to its beauty and durability. Teak is a very dense wood which contains natural oils that repel water and make it unfavorable to pests and insects.
- Teak furniture is generally sold in a natural wood finish, which is a golden honey color. However, when exposed to the elements, the teak will slowly turn into a soft, silvery patina.
- Like all woods, teak will expand and contract in the heat and cold. With extreme weather changes, cracking can occur. The integrity of the wood remains extremely durable, but we do recommend to cover the furniture.
How to Clean Teak
- Clean using water a mild detergent and a soft bristled brush.
- To prevent mildew growth add a cup of bleach or vinegar to a gallon of warm water.
- To remove stains, a plastic-bristled brush can be used if needed.
- Do NOT pressure wash. This can cause discoloration or splinter and damage the wood.
How to Protect Teak
- To preserve the golden-honey coloration of your furniture applying a teak sealer is recommended. Make sure surface is clean then apply the sealer with a soft cloth. Re-sealing will have to be done once every year; however, if you prefer the teak to have a patina gray appearance, just let the sealer fade and don’t re-apply.
- Adding a teak sealer will preserve the golden look of your furniture, provide UV protection and inhibit mildew growth.
- If applying a teak oil to restore your teak, be mindful that it will patina if the oil is not applied regularly. For this reason, the use of oil is not for everyone.
- Over time, the consistent application of oil will affect the wood’s durability if not applied on a regular basis, as the teak will become reliant on the manual oil application and stop producing its own natural oils.
- It is not recommended you use teak oil on an already sealed surface as it can erode the sealant and promote mildew growth.
- Do not paint or varnish teak furniture as teak’s natural oils will prevent paints and varnishes from properly adhering to the wood.
IRON
Wrought Iron is an alloy that contains more than 99% iron which means it is extremely durable due to less impurities. It is ideal for areas with high wind due to its weight and sturdiness. If cared for properly, wrought iron is more resistant to corrosion and rust than steel and can last a lifetime.
How to Clean Iron Furniture
- Wipe down with a clean rag, water and mild detergent.
- Pay special attention to the underside of the furniture and joints.
- Do NOT use a pressure washer on Iron furniture as it could damage the powder-coating or the integrity of the metal.
- If rust is present, lightly brush away any debris with a synthetic or soft bristled brush, clean, and apply touch up paint to the area.
How To Protect Iron Furniture
- If you notice any scratches on your furniture, immediately apply touch up paint to the area to prevent rust. Many manufacturers sell a touch-up paint kit for your furniture.
- Also, apply two thin layers of automotive wax to prevent rust and maintain the appearance of your furniture.
- Use plastic covers for your wrought iron furniture to protect it from the elements or bring your furniture inside to prevent rust buildup.
Protecting Your Umbrella
The most frequent case of damage to your umbrella is wind damage.
Wind damage IS NOT covered under the manufacturer's warranty. However, through our Guardian 5-Year Protection Plan wind damage is covered. Ask one our Design Consultants for more details.
We recommend that you follow these guidelines to prevent wind damage.
- CLOSE IT UP: Close the umbrella whenever you are not sitting in the area.
- TIE IT DOWN: Thunderstorms come up suddenly and frequently in the summer. Therefore, tie the straps when you are going to be away for any length of time, especially at night. This will help prevent wind from getting underneath the canopy and lifting the umbrella out of the table.
- USE A BASE: Always secure an umbrella to an umbrella base. These bases are inexpensive and will help prevent the umbrella from being lifted out of the table by gusts of wind.
- BRING IT INSIDE: When you are going to be away for several days, or if you know that a severe storm is heading your way, take the umbrella inside. This is the best way to avoid wind damage from a severe storm.
- STORE IT: Taking extra care to store your umbrella properly will ensure longer life and keep your umbrella looking its best. If you are storing away for the off-season, it is always recommended to clean the umbrella canopy according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Always make sure the fabric is completely dry before storing. Protect it with a cover and lay on a hard, flat surface in a well-ventilated location. Be sure not to load heavy objects on top of it.
How to Care for Your Outdoor Cushions
Outdoor fabrics are very durable compared to their indoor counterparts. They are resistant to rot, mold and mildew. While outdoor fabrics are also resistant to fading, depending on the sun exposure and long term care, there will still be some discoloration or fading over time. These fabrics can be made out of several man made synthetic materials, including acrylic, polyester and olefin. All of these have evolved over the past decade to be stronger and more durable, yet they often feel as soft as cotton. Even with all of the advancements recently made, outdoor fabrics still require care and maintenance to give you the longest product life possible.
Follow these steps to protect your cushions and your investment.
- Vacuum or Brush Off Loose Dirt Often. Dust and dirt will accumulate on anything outside, including your cushions. The fabric is resistant to mold and mildew, but mold and mildew can grow on the loose dirt that accumulates on your cushions. The best way to care for your outdoor cushions is preventative maintenance. Vacuum them once a month or so…before you notice dirt on the fabric. If you fail to keep your cushions clean, it becomes more difficult and time consuming to care for your cushions.
- Cover Your Cushions. Covering your cushions is like parking your car in the garage. Your car will stay cleaner, look newer and be protected from all of the elements. While the high quality cushions we sell do not require a protective cover, it is a great way to keep your cushions dry from rain, free of dirt and looking newer longer!
- Store Your Cushions. If space permits, you can store your cushions in a protected area. This will keep them clean, dry and looking brand new.
- Spot Cleaning Your Cushions. Outdoor fabrics can be spot cleaned with warm water and a mild soap, like Dawn. Gently rub with a soft bristled brush on the affected area. You can also visit https://www.sunbrella.com/en-us/how-to-clean for more detailed information.
- Cleaning Your Entire Cushion Set. Start with vacuuming all loose dirt from your cushions. Then use ¼ cup of mild soap per gallon of water. Use a sponge or soft bristle brush and work the solution into the fabric. Rinse thoroughly and let the cushions dry in a sunny, well ventilated area. It is recommended to keep the fabric on the cushions to clean rather than removing them. Do not put your cushions in a washing machine.
- Taking care of your outdoor cushions is as important to do the 1st year you own them as it is 10 years down the road. Every outdoor area is different which will determine the amount of maintenance needed. Some areas have more shade, are covered by trees that “shed”, or simply have more dust and pollen to deal with. All of these factors will play a part in the life of your cushions.
If you have any further questions, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss this in more detail.
Ask Us About Our Guardian Plans!
You can't always predict the weather, but you can predict one thing, accidental stains or damages are likely to occur to outdoor furniture. Relax and enjoy your new outdoor furniture purchase without the worry by protecting it with one of our Guardian Five Year Outdoor Protection Plans.
Our Outdoor Protection Plans provide coverage for many common outdoor stains and damages, such as:*
- All stains to fabric or vinyl upholstered areas and umbrellas
- Breakage of glass components in tables
- Rips, tears, punctures or burns to fabric or vinyl
- Breakage of umbrella mechanism after the manufacturer's warranty has expired
*Some exclusions apply. See protection plan terms and conditions for complete details. A copy of the plan is available for review at your furniture retail location