10 Tips for Cleaning and Refreshing Outdoor Wood Furniture

You’ll get the most enjoyment and use out of your outdoor wood patio furniture when it’s maintained and refreshed. Below, we’re sharing our top 10 tips for cleaning and refreshing outdoor wood furniture so you can keep soaking up some rays.

Spray Paint Your Wood Furniture

Yes, you can spray paint your wood garden furniture. Not only is this an easy way to refresh the look of your outdoor space by adding a pop of color or depth, but it’s easy and relatively inexpensive. Metal outdoor furniture can also be spray painted to create a new look.

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1. Purchase aerosol spray paint in your desired shade
2. Prepare an area to lay your furniture on.
3. Spray the wood with a bonding primer first. We recommend flipping the furniture on its top so you can spray the bottom first.
4. Make long, consistent passes while pressing down on the nozzle. Do not start or stop in the middle of the furniture because this can lead to drips or uneven marks.
5. Apply at least two coats for an even, rich finish.

We recommend spray painting your furniture outside on a day with minimal wind for the best results. Take proper safety precautions, like wearing a mask and goggles while using spray paint or other chemicals on your furniture.

Scrub and Wash Your Wood Furniture

A good cleaning can improve the appearance of just about every piece of furniture, especially if you have a lot of buildup or bird droppings currently marring the look of your furniture.

Clean outdoor wood furniture lightly with a damp cloth and mild soapy solution or warm water. If the piece requires deeper cleaning, scrub with a soft scrub brush or toothbrush and mix of water and dishwasher detergent. Always scrub in the same direction as the wood grain. If you have any challenging stains, you can lightly sand and rinse the surface until they disappear. Wipe away all excess water.

Exterior wood cleaners are also available for cleaning wood and may help with stubborn stains. These spray bottle cleaners open the pores of the wood so that the wood can accept stains better and will help remove gray weathering.

Consider the Type of Wood

When cleaning your outdoor furniture, consider the type of wood. Hardwoods, like oak or teak, are scratch-resistant, so you can clean these more aggressively. However, softer wood, like pine or cedar, should be cleaned cautiously.

Never scrub perpendicular across the wood, only along the grain lines. Clean each part of the legs, arms, or furniture parts individually so you don’t cross-grain scratch.

Use Oxygen Bleach for Deep Cleans

If your wood is stained too deeply to scrub off, use an oxygen bleach mixture on the wood. Mix powdered oxygen bleach and water, then use this mixture on your wood furniture with a soft bristle brush. While on the furniture, it should have some foaming action — think of foaming shampoos or hydrogen peroxide facial cleansers on your skin. The foaming action is caused by the bleach reacting to mold, mildew, dirt, and grime. Let this mixture sit on the wood for about 15 minutes or as long as the package says, then rinse your furniture off using a garden hose.

Clean Iron or Tannin Stains

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If the powdered oxygen bleach mixture doesn’t work, you may be dealing with iron, oxidation, or tannin stains which are much harder to get out. However, oxalic acid can work against these stains.

Exercise extreme caution when using oxalic acid because it’s toxic to humans and animals. Do not improvise when using this or mix it with other products. Follow the instructions strictly.

If your furniture is made from redwood, you may need to use oxalic acid solely because oxygen bleach can ruin the color by lightening the wood.

Refresh Your Wood Furniture with a Sealant

Not only do sealants protect wood furniture from water, but they can help your furniture keep its original color. Some sealers also stain your furniture to even out any discoloration or fading.

Go to your local home improvement store and match the color of your furniture to a sealant. Then, use this sealant on individual pieces of furniture. Always apply in the direction of the grain to keep yourself from overlapping.

Pick a clear sealant if you prefer a rustic look. Clear sealers protect the wood but allow it to change to silver-gray as it ages in the sunlight.

Sealants will need to be reapplied every couple of years, depending on the weather in your area, wear and tear, and the sealant’s specifications. Always wash and sand the furniture before applying the sealant again.

Use Painter’s Tape for Unique Designs

Wood furniture can look plain against your colorful garden. If you want your furniture to stand out, consider painting or staining it with a unique color or a specific design to give your furniture some style.

Use painter’s tape, or masking tape, to cover areas you aren’t painting to keep your design even and fresh.

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Here are some fun ideas for refreshing the look of your wood with paint:

Add Colorful Accessories or Pillows

If you have wooden chairs or other outdoor furniture that is looking tired, consider adding new outdoor cushions, throws, or pillows.

Combine fun and exciting colors to create a beautiful effect. This is an easy way to keep up with trends without needing to replace or swap out your furniture.

If you have old seat cushions, consider removing them and simply reupholstering the cushion. All you need is some new fabric and a staple gun. Then, remove the current material or keep it on if it’s thin. Next, fix the new fabric around the cushion and secure it with the staple gun. You’ll be left with a brand-new look that barely costs anything.

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Apply Teak Oil

Teak oil can give your wood furniture a lovely golden finish. Teak oil is typically made from mineral oil, linseed oil, and tung oil. When applied to outdoor wood surfaces, teak oil can protect your furniture from the weather and give it a new golden glow.

To begin, you’ll need a bristle brush, grit sandpaper, a clean microfiber cloth, and the teak oil solution. Start by sanding your wood surface thoroughly, then clean the surface, and apply a coat of teak oil to your furniture. Use another clean, soft cloth to apply teak oil in hard-to-reach areas, like corners and crevices. Wipe away excess teak oil after application with a clean cloth, then allow it to air dry for at least two hours.

Repeat this process three to four times in total for the best results. Teak oil doesn’t last as long as a sealant, so it will likely need to be reapplied every two to three months or when you notice discoloration. However, many love teak oil for the glowy look it gives their furniture.

Final Thoughts

Outdoor furniture can easily make your outdoor space look tired and outdated. Avoid this fate by regularly showing your outdoor wood furniture and the outside of your home some tender loving care.

Regularly apply sealants to protect your furniture from the elements and give it new life. A fresh coat of paint or new, colorful throw pillows can instantly transform your outdoor space to breathe new life into the area.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor