How to get the most out of YOUR patio furniture

Come rain, the country’s unpredictable weather conditions can take a toll on your expensive patio furniture.

With a heat wave one minute and hailstones the next, it is important to know how to cool and protect your garden furniture from the heat.

From cleaning barbecues and fireplaces to preventing color fading in the sun, Paul McFadyen, CEO of metals4U and Ryan Schwarze, Manager of Luxury Rattan, explained how to get the most out of our patio furniture.

Some of the best tips include using white vinegar to prevent rusting on metal furniture, baking soda to get rid of grime from the barbecue, and olive oil to reduce cracking on rattan chairs.

RUST REMOVAL FROM METAL FURNITURE AND OUTDOOR APPLIANCES

Many garden items such as French patio furniture sets, fireplaces and steel grills can easily start to rust as they are kept outside for long periods of time.

Rust can tend to thrive in hot, dry environments, but can also build up in a mixture of rainy and humid conditions. your garden.

“Rust is generally a type of corrosion that is difficult to clean off metal surfaces and therefore needs to be treated with proper care so as not to damage your furniture,” says General Manager Paul McFadyen at metals4U.

“The active anti-corrosion spray can be a very useful product to have in your cupboards, especially during the summer when there is more humidity and heat outside. This style of spray can also be purchased in colors such as white and will provide high coverage and excellent adhesion even to rust.

The best way to remove rust If you’ve ever spotted it on your furniture, it’s simple. Simply pour white vinegar evenly over the surface of the cabinet and give it time to stabilize. One hour should be enough.

“Once you’ve done that, just wipe off with a cloth with gloves on and repeat if necessary.”

AVOID COLOR DISCOLORATION

Paul advises to use a metallic lacquer when you have a new product, in order to have maximum protection against outdoor weather conditions. In the photo, stock image

Do you have an egg chair? Lucky you! These have been the talk of the town in outdoor living, but now it’s time to make sure that the paint colors don’t flake off, the rattan materials stay shiny, and the cushions have fresh air when in the sun.

This also applies to other outdoor furniture materials, which may lose their color with the changing weather conditions in the UK.

“There are several things you can do to help keep the paint shine on surfaces so that corrosion is slowed down,” says Paul. “Using a metallic lacquer is always advisable when you have a new product, so that you get maximum protection from outdoor weather conditions from the start and the color of the metal furniture will last longer.

“Inevitably, the paint can start to flake off, especially when the humidity from the rain hits the furniture regularly. Therefore, we recommend that you peel off the paint from the affected area and start over.

“Once the surface is exposed, you can treat it with an etching liquid, which can be used on all types of metal furniture in stainless steel, copper and aluminum. Once this has dried you can paint over the area and reapply the metallic lacquer to seal again. ‘

Don’t forget the cushions! With all the outdoor summer fun to come, chances are your cushions and patio furniture will fall victim to a few spills and marks here and there, but don’t worry …

To keep upholstery vibrant, Ryan Schwarze, Head of Luxury Rattan, suggests, “We suggest removing cushions from furniture when not in use but will be in the sun all day, for example, if you are on vacation.

“The sun can fade colors very easily on a hot day and to keep that vibrant new look, it’s best to store them indoors when not in use.

“When it comes to keeping cushions clean, use lukewarm water with the mild detergent of your choice to clean the non-removable cushion covers. “

“A soft brush is best to remove the stain before cleaning with a damp cloth. Excess moisture can be absorbed with towels to ensure that as much moisture is absorbed before allowing to dry. ‘

CLEANING OF BARBECKS AND FIREPLACES

Baking soda is a simple cleaning solution for stainless steel barbecue grates. In the photo, stock image

There are many specialty cleaning products available for barbecues and fireplaces. However, you might want to consider using baking soda instead, as it’s a simple cleaning solution for stainless steel barbecue grates.

Paul adds: “Stainless steel is used for barbecues because it is tough and will not rust like most other metals – when cleaning you have to be very careful not to use anything too abrasive that could damage the metal coating. .

“We recommend that you use baking soda mixed with water to form a paste to remove any dirt or grime because it is not toxic. Avoid using metal grid brushes as the bristles can dislodge and are incredibly harmful if ingested.

“Let the paste soak for 10 minutes and wipe it off – be sure to rinse the area well after treatment. To prevent food from sticking to your grill, apply oil before cooking. ‘

MAINTENANCE OF OUTDOOR FURNITURE

Ryan advises using a soft cloth and rubbing a little olive oil on old rattan furniture to clean it. In the photo, stock image

Both hard and soft furniture should be cleaned and maintained regularly when kept outside, which will ensure you have a more durable product that continues to look like new through the seasons.

If you have metal patio furniture, a gazebo, or any type of metal lounge chair, Paul explains how to keep them in top condition.

“If you have exposed metal in your outdoor furniture or structures, it’s important to maintain its quality through cleaning methods,” he explains. “Metal is, of course, stronger than sorted furniture, but it does require maintenance to stop rusting, otherwise it can become difficult to maintain the quality of the product over time and can fall into disrepair.

“We suggest spraying your metal with a strong cleaner that is safe for metals, paints and most plastics. This is a solvent designed to remove dirt, grime, and any stubborn grease that builds up on your furniture when sitting outside for long periods of time. ‘

When it comes to cleaning rattan furniture, it’s important to be gentle and avoid harsh cleaners or chemicals.

For the best cleaning methods, Ryan says, “Fill a bowl of hot, soapy water with dish soap and gently wipe down your furniture with a soft cloth. Be sure to wipe off any soap residue from your furniture before letting it dry outside.

“If you have an old rattan piece of furniture that looks worse, I recommend using a soft cloth and rubbing a little olive oil on the product. This will reduce cracks and add shine to your rattan, making it look like new.