How to clean and care for your outdoor furniture
Indulging in the loveliness of the outdoors is fantastic with your favourite lounging setup in your backyard. Simply taking a seat on your outdoor furniture can help you relish all that nature has to offer—that is, if you take care of it.
While outdoor furniture is made to withstand the elements, the upholstery fabric and even some of the frame materials are not entirely resistant to dust, dirt, mould, animals, and insects. As harsh conditions set in, whether it’s winter or summer, you'll need to tend to your pieces to keep them in their best condition. Regular maintenance plus a fabric that is durable, comfortable, and easy to maintain is going to be the game changer for your outdoor furniture.
Keeping your garden furniture clean: The Basics
Keeping your outdoor furniture clean is one of the best ways to ensure that it lasts a long time. Clean the hard materials of the frame with water and mild detergent or follow the manufacturer’s instructions. For the pillows or other soft fabric, give it a wipe or vacuum to remove any dust or debris. If any spills happen, be sure to clean them up immediately.
Knowing what type of materials are suited for your outdoor furniture will help save you time and energy in the long run. Think about your local climate and your own lifestyle. You have an array of options from teak and wicker to aluminium or steel. Even poly resin and PVC have become popular for their durability. Each material has to be cleaned in a specific way so, check what is applicable for the furniture.
When it comes to fabric, it must be colourfast, and designed for outdoor use. Solution-dyed fabrics in general are better for outdoor weather conditions, as are fabrics with anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties. With more of us placing an emphasis on enjoying our outdoor spaces, it makes sense that fabric experts have been hard at work adapting materials to keep pace with our changing lifestyles. The FibreGuard Outdoor range of furnishing fabrics has been designed using the latest, cutting-edge technologies to create a solution-dyed polyolefin yarn specifically developed for outside use.
Outdoor furniture fabrics: An overview
Choosing outdoor fabrics for garden furniture is tricky because there are a lot of performance boxes to tick. FibreGuard’s Outdoor range of textiles ticks all of them and it’s because of how they’re constructed.
Polyolefin fabric is stain-resistant fabric and can be used for indoor or outdoor upholstery or window treatments in addition to other uses. It's a synthetic fibre made from polyethene, which means it doesn't absorb water easily and can be washed by machine. In addition to its versatility, polyolefin comes in many different fabrics, including linen-like nubby textures and smooth woven surfaces. Polyolefin fabric is easy to clean with soap and water: however, you should always follow the manufacturer's care instructions on any specific product before cleaning it. - Choosing the best fabric for outdoor furniture
This 'solution-dyed' process is crucial in this context because it enables colour to be securely locked into the fabric. The result? A colour-fast and highly durable surface. It’s a smart tip to source outdoor furnishing fabrics equipped with anti-microbial and anti-bacterial attributes, as they combat the growth of mould and mildew as well as the spread of bacteria and germs. Luckily for you, FibreGuard Outdoor fabrics have these properties!
What does this mean for you? You can get on with enjoying the great outdoors without having to worry about any nasties lurking in your furniture!
A favourite outdoor fabric is the Poolside collection. These fabrics feature vibrant colourways that will brighten any outdoor area. The beautiful jacquard and flat weave designs also boast patterns and texture that have a retro feel but are thoroughly modern and chic. Along with their inherent stain-free property, they are wonderfully soft but strong enough in their construction to withstand whatever weather comes along. Poolside will add elegance and personality to pool loungers, outdoor sofas, or even relaxing outdoor swing seats.
No matter the size of your outdoor space, creating an area for relaxation or entertaining automatically increases the useful space of a home. It’s a way to enjoy fresh air, reconnect with nature and take in the surroundings. There’s a plethora of outdoor furniture options to choose from and regular maintenance will help it last far longer.
For great inspiration, visit your local Home Fabrics showroom to see FibreGuard’s range of outdoor fabrics in person. This gives you a chance to see all the colour and design options to help you create an outdoor oasis.
