How to Treat Wooden Garden Furniture
Outdoor wood garden furniture is both appeasing to the eye and lends a nice touch to any outdoor area. As with any wooden furniture out in the elements it must be prepared and taken care of to keep its charm. There are a few things you can do to preserve the furniture and keep it in excellent condition.
When choosing furniture for outdoor use you need to pick a type of wood that is durable and hardy. Most generally, these woods will be teak, cedar or redwood. Those are the hardiest woods. It is also possible to use a pressure treated wood with a preservative to help keep away natural pests and better able to withstand outside elements. You can also treat the wood yourself.
Items you will need:
- Teak oil or a wood preservative
- Waterproof gloves
- Lint free cloths or soft bristle brushes
- Bucket
- Warm water
- Dish soap or mild detergent
- Sponge
- Garden hose
- Very fine sandpaper
- Take stock of the furniture and if it needs a bit of renovating, do that first. This would be in the nature of light sanding to remove oxidation or damage to the surface. Use fine sandpaper (80-100 grit) and make certain it is bonded.
- Wash the furniture down with warm soapy water. Dish soap will do nicely. Use a sponge to remove grit and dirt scrubbing gently to remove the accumulation.
- Spray with a garden hose to remove cleaning debris and allow air-drying overnight.
- Apply the teak oil or preservative with a lint free cloth or a paintbrush. Wear your gloves for hand protection.
- Wipe the furniture down with a dry lint free cloth. Be sure to get into all the tight places to remove excess oil or sealant.
- Store your furniture out of the elements in the off-season to further protect it from the elements. This is particularly necessary if you have harsh winters.