Be it that large picnic table in the garden or your favourite recliner on the patio, all outdoor furniture will wear down faster due to exposure. Inevitable as it is, it is still possible to make them last a lot longer than average by simply following a bunch of easy tips for maintenance and self-repair. Taking Care of the Wicker
Furniture made from wicker is sturdy, as they are made for outdoor environments, but moisture and fungus are their two main enemies. Follow the steps as stated below, and they should last for a long time to come:

• Wipe them with a microfibre cloth once every day or two • Vacuum them twice a week • If the wicker has accumulated enough grime and dirt on it, see if you can’t steam clean it • The water-resistant coating on all wicker furniture will eventually need to be resealed with paste wax • Failure to keep your wicker moisture free for just a few days can be enough for mould and mildew to grow • Anytime you store it (e.g. during the winter or heavy rain), remove all moisture from it with care • If fungal growths do appear, scrub and wipe with vinegar-water solution • Wipe off the solution with a damp cloth and throw away all brushes/cloths/scrubbers to avoid spore spreads • Dry your wicker in sun before storage/use

Metal Management
Exposed metal and outdoor conditions were a bad combination earlier. That has changed though, because rust-resistant metallic alloys are often used in garden and patio furniture to enhance strength and durability today. The following pointers should help you make the best of both worlds:

• Put a coat of naval jelly onto the metallic parts for extra rust protection • Clean the metal twice a week with soap-water • Check for the rust spots once a month at least • Sandpaper and wired brushes are ideal options to remove the flakes and dust • After the scrubbing, apply white vinegar and leave it on for a few hours • Wipe off the dissolved rust with a piece of cloth • Use a rust-resistant primer on it before repainting

Just in case you missed the rust until it was too late, it is possible for the metal to break. In such cases, people either throw away the furniture if it’s cheap, or spend even more money on repairing the expensive ones by calling in professional workers. The good news is that you don’t have to do either.

While repairing metal furniture is generally considered to be a professional job, this is also possible with the right products at your disposal. Metallic glues made from epoxy adhesives and polyurethane can be used to fix broken metallic furniture, utensils, and even for minor automotive repairs.

Artificial: Resin and Plastic
Resin and plastic are the most weather resistant materials for outdoor furniture, and they seldom require too much maintenance. Nonetheless, the few tips as listed below should help you maximise their lifespan:

• Clean them with water by turning the garden hose on them • Scrub if necessary, with soapy water • Extreme cold will make plastic brittle, so store them away before the frost hits • If you notice mould on resin or plastic, removal shouldn’t be too difficult with bleach and water

As a final tip, we would suggest not to spend too extravagantly on garden furniture, because they are always susceptible to faster wear and tear by default. However, with these maintenance tips up your sleeve now, you should be able to keep them in good condition for years to come.

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