How to make Your Pool Furniture Look New

Umbrellas have been raised, pools have been cleaned and the furniture has returned from its winter hibernation. As guests continue to roll in, it's important that chairs, lounges and tables remain cleaned up and looking like new! There is no other types of furniture that take more punishment than outdoor furniture, whether it's taking a beating from the sun or carrying the weight of 6 inches of snow. While most outdoor fabrics and finishes are built to withstand the elements, annual cleaning can go a long way toward making them last (even past their intended life span).

Commercial grade outdoor fabrics are extremely durable, but dirt and grime can work their way into the toughest sports. It is best to start by dusting off any surface dirt, then use a sponge or soft bristle brush to get into the weave of the fabric. Rinse the cushions thoroughly to remove all the soap and allow the fabric to air dry. If wicker pieces are still in good condition, they may simply need a quick vacuuming and a wipe-down with a cloth and mild detergent mixture. Using a soft bristle brush, scrub off any stubborn grime then rinse with a cloth saturated in plain water. In addition to just looking dirty, dirt and grime can cause teak products to mildew so it's essential to give them a thorough scrubbing with a water/mild detergent and a soft bristle brush. Do this once a year and the teak should remain mildew free. Oiling teak can also help it retain its buttery gold color and keep the grain from cracking. Most commercial grade metal pieces are finished with a protective coating that makes them relatively impervious to all weather conditions. Pool furniture is exposed to a lot, and aluminum is built to take the heat and the elements. Prolong the life of the furniture by keeping it clean and properly treating it as needed:

Acrylic Furniture:

Lack of cleaning acrylic surfaces can cause them to become marred with stains, dust, dirt, mold and mildew - however, cleaning them the wrong way can harm the surfaces.

Fiberglass Furniture:

Fiberglass pool furniture is one of the most popular types of outdoor furniture on the market today. It's highly durable, affordable, comes in an assortment of styles and most importantly is easy to maintain. There are certain steps that should be taken to effectively clean fiberglass furniture.

Recycled Plastic Furniture:

Most recycled plastic furniture has been purified and UV protected. It's generally cared for and cleaned with soap and warm water. For certain stains and additional cleaning power, a 1/3 bleach and 2/3 water solution can be used on recycled plastic furniture without affecting the color. The surface characteristics of the furniture may require the use of a soft bristle brush to get into the creases.

Resin Furniture:

Outdoor resin furniture is an ideal alternative to metal or wood furniture, which can rust, splinter, continually need painting or are just plain heavy. Keeping new tables and chairs clean and looking good for years to come is easy - it's the older pieces that take a little more effort to restore to a cleaner, newer looking state.

Sling Furniture:

Get sling outdoor furniture looking clean and fresh with a little elbow grease, and cleaning supplies that is already on hand. If mildew is a problem, a bit of extra effort can help control it.

Vinyl Strap Furniture:

Vinyl strap furniture is ideal when looking for the perfect addition to a pool area. However, body lotions and oils can cause damage to vinyl straps. In fact, if possible, require guests to use a towel when sunbathing or drying off from the pool so that vinyl strap furniture will have a longer life span. Vinyl is porous, so it is important to protect the pool furniture from moisture and chemicals.

Be sure to inspect furnishings and site amenities every spring for general wear and tear. Never throw furniture into the swimming pool unless a hurricane is imminent and there is nowhere else to put it. This is NEVER a good way to clean off pool furniture.Meagan Deacon

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Cleaning tips for Different types of Wooden Home Furniture

Wood furniture can be painted, polished or oiled. How you clean your furniture depends on the variety of wood it is made up of. For example, some types of wood are lightly lacquered and do not absorb oil, while others like rosewood and teak do not have any finish and can be handled with annual oil application.

Let us see how you can clean different types of wood home furniture be it wooden beds, almirah, sofa set or cabinets:

Painted Wood

Excessive rubbing and cleaning can damage the decor, colour and finish of furniture. If your wooden beds and other furniture pieces are of painted wood, least care and maintenance is needed for them round the year. You can clean your painted wooden almirah and other furniture regularly with the help of a brush. Wiping occasionally with sponge can help in removing finger marks and smudges. If you feel the need of wax, use of hard paste wax once in a year can serve the purpose.

Oiled Wood

Oiled wood furniture has a soft, warm glow which requires only occasional oil application. For example, if you oil your wooden sofa set once in a year, it will retain the shine for a long time to come. It is important to note that you should never wax an oiled wooden surface. Wax can block the pores making the wood dry and brittle. If there are white spots on your oiled wooden furniture, rub them with tooth paste spread on a soft cloth. You can also use oil and a mild abrasive to rub those white spots. Such abrasives may be pumice, baking soda, salt or ash. The oils that you can use may be cooking oil, olive oil and petroleum jelly.

Polished Wood

Polished wooden furniture pieces are usually finished with wax, lacquer or varnish. Any wood polish can clean a wooden surface quickly. You have to choose the one which is appropriate for the kind of finish done on your wooden furniture. For example, wax in paste form gives a long lasting finish to the furniture, as compared to liquid or spray polish. This kind of finishing is usually recommended for antique wooden pieces.

Always wear cotton gloves while waxing the furniture, as this will not leave any fingerprints on the surface. Sprinkle some corn starch on the recently polished wood surface, and rub it for better gloss. Corn starch absorbs the excess wax or oil from the surface, leaving a glistening wooden surface free from any fingerprints. If there are white spots or rings on your wooden sofa set, you can apply mayonnaise, allow it to sit for around 60 minutes, wipe it off with a cloth and then polish. All these are terrific techniques to keep your wooden furniture glowing like new.

Specialty Wood

Specialty woods can be bamboo, rush, cane, rattan, wicker etc. These woods have natural finish, but some of them may have shellac or varnish coating. You need to vacuum them regularly with a brush attachment.

Vaiv Jais , the author claims that with all these steps, you can keep your home furniture as shiny as new.

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