How to get your outdoor furniture ready for summer.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WOOD.

Teak garden furniture requires low maintenance.
Let’s start with the easy one: teak wood. Teak garden furniture requires low to no maintenance. The wood can withstand almost any condition. There is a good reason why people build their swimming pool and boat decks from teak. Yet, your teak set will still enjoy a soft cleaning. There are plenty of mild and oil-based soaps on the market. Make sure to read the instructions before you use it. Avoid products with too much chemicals. Not only will it destroy the wood, but the water wastes will aslo hurt the environnement. All you need is a basic soapy water solution. Mix ¼ cup of ammonia with two tablespoons of white vinegar and one quart of warm water. For more details, check our article on how to maintain teak furniture.
After a couple of years, a light sanding will help lengthen the wood life.

METAL FOREVER.

Wear your armor and get ready to fight the metal biggest enemies: oxidation and rusting.
Metal outdoor furniture is usually made out from aluminwum, cast iron, or wrought iron. Cleaning your metal every year will give the furniture a most needed protection.
No need to rush. Before you start cleaning, look for imperfections. Remove oxidized blemishes on your aluminum pieces. To do so, use a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and water. A metal polisher will also do the job. Do not use chemicals like trisodium phosphate or ammonia on aluminum. Those would cause oxidation and damage the surfaces. 
Sand down rusted areas on your iron furniture. Remove the affected paint and apply a rust-resistant primer. After the primer is dry, apply a new layer of rust-resistant paint. 
Once you finish the repairs, wash off your metal furniture with your garden hose.

MIND YOUR WICKER.

Cleaning wicker and cleaning hardwood furniture is similar.
Quality synthetic rattan is easy to use. Put it in your garden and you can use it for years. You don’t need to spend much time cleaning your items. After winter, all you need to do is removing the dust, pollen and dirt. Here again, the process is straight-forward. Mix two tablespoons white vinegar with ¼ cup of ammonia and one quart of warm water. You can also buy ready-made products in your local store. Mild oil soap produces great results. If you buy ready-made product, remember to read directions for diluting. Whichever cleaner you choose, apply it with a soft brush. Using a brush allows you to remove the dust between the weaves.
Rinse the wicker with your hose every two or three weeks during summer.