Spring has sprung, and summer is almost here! The birds are out, and the blooms are budding. We’re so excited. We’re dusting off the patio furniture, giving it some love, and preparing to bask in the glow of the summer sun.

Here are some tips from the team for preparing your patio furniture for the summer season and all year round.

Solid Teak And Other Tropical Hardwoods

Patio furniture made out of solid teak and other tropical hardwoods is pretty unique. The wood’s natural properties make it resistant to just about anything. You could do nothing to it, and it would last almost forever. Over time, it will take on a weathered look. It will lighten, and small cracks will appear in the grain. It will continue to look beautiful, just more rustic.

You can keep your natural-looking teak furniture healthy and clean with AquaTeak Teak Cleaner and Brightener. Cleaning it regularly will help keep it in great shape.

Here’s a tip from the yachting crowd who have to take care of their solid teak boat decks. Saltwater kills a lot of things that might grow on your teak furniture, including mold! A simple saltwater solution and a coarse scrubbing brush do a great job cleaning up neglected teak that’s become moldy or black.

You can keep your new teak patio furniture looking brand new with relatively little effort. Oiling it three or four times a year with high-grade linseed or tung oil is all it takes to keep your teak looking brand new. You can also choose AquaTeak Premium Teak Oil. Whichever you choose, apply it liberally with a lint-free cloth and allow it to sit for 15 minutes, out of direct sun if possible, then simply wipe away any excess.

Exclusive VIRO® Wicker

All wicker is not created equal. Our wicker furniture, made with 3MM VIRO® Weave is virtually indestructible. It holds up to extreme temperature fluctuations and intense UV rays. Hose it off. Use a damp cloth to wipe off any cobwebs. You’re good to go.

Sunbrella® Patio Furniture Fabric

For new spills that you can get to immediately, try just blotting with a clean, dry cloth. If you get to it quickly, you may not have a stain to clean.

If you’ve got Sunbrella® fabric on your patio furniture cushions and pillows, good for you! You’re in for easy clean-up and summer prep. Brush off any loose dirt. If your cushions have accumulated any stains, a 50/50 mix of mild detergent and water sprayed on liberally, left to soak for a bit, worked through with a soft brush, and thoroughly rinsed with the hose is all it takes to get them looking good as new. Just let them dry out in the sun and you’re all set.

Sunbrella is pretty durable, but if it happens to get some mold or mildew on it, a simple solution of one gallon of water, ½ cup bleach, and ¼ cup mild detergent should do the trick. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and air dry.

Stainless Steel Patio Furniture

Stainless steel has become very popular over the past few years. It is very modern looking and pretty easy to maintain. Most outdoor stainless steel furniture uses marine-grade 316 stainless steel, so it’s pretty durable and reliable. But stainless steel isn’t really stainless. It will rust if it is unfinished and neglected. It is easy to keep clean and rust-free though. A soft cloth and mild detergent should be your first step. You may be surprised that any discoloration and small amount of rust that was present just washed away.

If that doesn’t work, here are some more tips. Try a little baking soda and water on a soft toothbrush to remove rust. Follow up with a good stainless steel polish made specifically for outdoor use. If the baking soda and water don’t quite cut it, try adding a little vinegar to the mix.

And, if you'd rather just buy a cleaner that’s safe for your stainless steel furniture, 3M and Star Brite both make good products.

Whatever you do, never use anything abrasive, like a metal brush or brillo pad, on your stainless steel patio furniture. You’ll be polishing for days trying to get the scratches out, and they may be permanent.

We hope you are as excited as we are for summer! Come visit us again soon for some new solid teak patio furniture to complete the design of your summer space.