When we’re out shopping for patio furniture, it’s usually during the late spring or early summer months. You know, when the weather is full of warmth and sunshine. However, being that we don’t rent the furniture, we buy it, this means that even when it’s cold or rainy or snowing, we still have to maintain the very same tables and chairs that we purchased when the weather was pretty and dry.

That’s what this article is about. Providing you with five tips that will help you to protect your patio furniture in extreme weather so that it’s something that you can enjoy, come rain or shine, for years to come.

Image via: TTT Architects

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Keep it clean.

No matter what it is that we purchase, it’s going to require some upkeep and maintenance and that includes keeping it clean. Although there are many commercialized cleaning products that are available, if you want to be a bit more “green” in your approach, create a cleaning solution of 2 gallons of way, 1 cup of vinegar and ½ of dish liquid. It’s ideal for just about any kind of patio furniture that you have. (For wooden and wicker furniture, go without the vinegar.)

Store the cushions.

While the furniture itself will be OK outdoors, if you want your cushions to last for longer than a year (or even two), it’s best to take them off and bring them indoors (especially if you’re expecting rain or it’s during the winter). It may seem a bit tedious to do, but it can save you a few dollars in the long run.

Prevent the rust.

If you have metal patio furniture, probably one of your main concerns is how to keep it from rusting. Aside from keeping it dry and covered, you can also apply some paste wax or grease to it. Paste wax is something that you can get at a local hardware store and apply with a paint brush. If you prefer to use grease, all you need to do is put a little bit of it on a paper towel and rub it on the furniture. It is harder for rust to develop on “greased up” patio pieces.

Cover up the wood.

When it comes to wooden furniture, one thing that it isn’t a huge fan of is water (or humidity). To keep your wood beautiful and to prevent it from swelling, it’s a good idea to cover it up. As you’re looking for patio furniture covers, make sure to opt for the kind that are waterproof. Also make sure that they’re large enough to cover your pieces entirely while not trapping any moisture inside of them.

Paint it (every couple of years).

Over time, painted furniture can start to chip and that can cause it to appear to be pretty unsightly. If you’re noticing that your furniture looks a bit worn, don’t throw it out. A couple of coats of paint can have it looking as good as new all over again. Just make sure to go with a brand that is made of lacquer. That way you’ll have a brilliant finish that is also super durable.

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