Care & Maintenance
In a perfect world, we always remember to store our furniture on a warm, dry day towards the end of autumn. But human nature being what it is, sometimes we leave it to the very last moment, and find ourselves hurriedly dusting off snow from our cushions as we try to jam everything into the shed during the first snowfall.
When that happens, it can feel a little nerve-wracking to open that shed door come spring. It may be that cushions were dirty or wet when they were put away; or it may be that you didn’t do that teak treatment you were meaning to get to.
The entire CARE AND MAINTENANCE section has a lot of specific suggestions to get your furniture cleaned up and looking great. But here are a few quick tips we recommend at the beginning of every spring season as you plan to set up your outdoor space:
Take all of your furniture and accessories out of storage early in the morning on a sunny day. This will enable you to get a good look at any care that is required, and will give fabrics and cushions a chance to ‘breathe’ in a dry environment.
If anything smells a little funky, soft goods are probably the culprit (think fabrics, umbrella canopies, cushion cores). This is not because of any flaw in the material itself; but if anything was stored damp, that gives mildew the opportunity to grow, which can get a little yucky. Thankfully, this is something that is easily treated, and the Cushions and Slings and Stain Fighters Chart has great information to help you make everything as good as new.
Remember, when applicable, that cushion cores can be removed from zippered casings for easier cleaning; and giving everything a good airing is always helpful prior to re-setting your outdoor space in the spring.Wiping down frames with a solution of warm water and mild dish soap, then gently hosing off with clean water works wonders on everything from aluminum to resin to wicker. Barring anything extraordinary, this is usually enough to get your furniture looking new again. And for tougher stains, check out the appropriate page in our Care and Maintenance section below – we have covered everything pretty thoroughly.
Never hesitate to give us a call if you need a tip on caring for your furniture. At THE SIGN, we care about your experience with our products, and we are here to help every step of the way.