OUTDOOR FURNITURE CARE & CLEANING TIPS
Outdoor fabrics and finishes are built to withstand the elements, an annual cleaning can go a long way toward making them last for many years to come.
At CF Interiors, we recommend to cover your furniture after use to protect it from rain and wind, and environmental elements in the winter. This is a great way to increase the life span of your outdoor furniture. Typically, outdoor furniture covers are made of polyester, vinyl or canvas, quality covers are waterproof and UV-resistant. Choose styles that are fitted to your specific furniture and easy to use.
Outdoor furniture is the one item of furniture that takes the most abuse of all the furniture you will own. With cleaning, care tips and covering the pieces, your furniture will continue to look and function well for its lifetime.
CF Interiors recommends the below cleaning and care tips for various outdoor furnishings:
General Maintenance on Woven Furniture
Use only mild detergent and water to clean. Rinse and dry thoroughly. If excessive water accumulates on the cushions, stand upright with zipper side down and let dry. To extend the longevity of the furniture, it is recommended to store it in a cool and dry place and protect with furniture covers to keep dust off.
How to care and clean my Cast Aluminum Furniture?
Use only mild soap and water solution, rinse and dry thoroughly. Store indoor or protect with furniture covers during non-use seasons.
How to care and clean my Stainless-Steel Frame Furniture?
All grades and finishes of stainless steel may in fact stain. In order to achieve maximum corrosion resistance, it is important that the surface of the stainless steel must be kept clean. Environments where there is salt, chlorine, air pollution, moisture and humidity, speed of corrosion will increase, and thus, a more frequent cleaning is strongly recommended. Commercial stainless steel cleaners may be used, but if used incorrectly, they may cause discoloration and corrosion on the surface of the stainless steel. Cleaners with strong acid solutions should never be permitted to come into contact with stainless steel.
How to care and clean my Galvanized Steel Furniture?
Galvanized steel is virtually maintenance free. Use only mild soap and water solution, rinse and dry thoroughly.
How to care and clean my Sling Furniture?
Use only mild soap and water solution, rinse and dry thoroughly. To extend the life of the furniture, store in a dry area out of the elements or cover with commercial grade furniture covers when not in use.
How to care and clean my Durawood Table Top?
Durawood is virtually maintenance free due to the fact that it has exceptional resistance to fading, moisture, insects, splintering, and other common outcomes from environmental stress that one observes with treated lumber or wood fiber composite products. It just needs occasional washing with soap and water to remove dirt and debris if desired. Do not leave empty glasses on Durawood surface under direct sunlight as this may cause sun damage to the surface.
How to care and clean my Faux Stone Table Top?
The faux stone tabletop is a man-made composite lightweight stone. It is virtually maintenance free; simply clean it with water and mild detergent. Red wine or juice should be wiped away at once to prevent permanent staining. Never use harsh cleaners; avoid putting hot items, such as pots and pans directly onto the table surface. Always use an umbrella base to prevent the parasol/umbrella from tipping over and possibly damaging the table; and remove the parasol/umbrella from the table during windy weathers.
How to care and clean my Polycarbonate and Polypropylene Chair?
The chair must be cleaned with a soft cloth, dampened with cold water only. Do not use any abrasive cleaning instruments and/or substances that contain any acids, methyl alcohol, hydrocarbons or solvents..
How to care and clean the All-Weather/Outdoor Fabrics?
Today’s outdoor fabrics are extremely durable, but dirt and grime can dull even the toughest weaves. Spills should be blotted up as quickly as possible and loose dirt should be vacuumed before it penetrates into the fabric. It is recommended to spot clean spills with mild soap and water. Mold and mildew can grow on dirt or organic matters accumulated on and embedded into the surface of the fabrics, so cleaning regularly is recommended. Avoid excessive cleaning as it may reduce the longevity of the product. Always check thoroughly on clean codes and instructions, or seek help from professional upholstery cleaners.
What to avoid:
We recommend avoiding the use of a pressure washer at high intensity to clean your furniture. When the nozzle is placed too close to the furniture, there is a chance the pressure washer can damage the material. For plastics, a pressure washer can chew/fray the plastic leaving a fuzzy look to the plastic and allowing atmospheric dirt and particles to get inside the plastic.