How Do You Waterproof Outdoor Furniture?

With outdoor furniture, attention to finer details such as the quality of components is vital if you are looking for longevity. Equally important is the need for ongoing care to ensure that your furniture continues to function and maintain its beauty comes down to understanding its importance.

Outdoor furniture maintenance

This is our comprehensive guide to outdoor furniture maintenance. Find out how to care for your furniture, whether it is made of teak, woven or stainless steel. Before we delve into the specific maintenance practices for each outdoor material, read about the main ways to maintain your outdoor furniture.

How do you care for your outdoor timber?

The best way to maintain outdoor wooden furniture is to simply brush it off and wipe it down with a damp cloth, water or a mild soap solution. Simply wipe clean with a cloth. As teak is a durable hardwood, the resin in the wood contains oils that are both water and pest resistant. For this reason, we do not recommend staining the wood, but rather cleaning it regularly and allowing it to age naturally.

Outdoor Furniture

How is outdoor furniture waterproof?

Outdoor furniture is weatherproof and water resistant, therefore we do not recommend spraying or coating any furniture with a waterproofing product. To help waterproof your pieces, please place them in a covered area or bring a cushion indoors when rain is expected.

Aluminium and steel

These materials are ideal for outdoor use as they are rust-resistant and strong. To care for steel and aluminium furniture, simply wash with a soap and water solution and rinse well with water.

Brass

Traditionally known for its ductility and durability, brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Over time, it also develops a beautiful brass green colour. Brass furniture simply needs to be cleaned with a soapy water solution and rinsed off with water to maintain its appearance. Most importantly, do not polish the brass as this will remove the beautiful natural brass green colour.

Stainless steel

304 stainless steel is a corrosion and rust-resistant material that requires very little maintenance. Tea stains may occur on flat horizontal surfaces or where furniture is close to the coastal environment. However, this does not affect its structural integrity and longevity.

To maintain the natural lustre of the material, wash the furniture regularly and use a stainless steel cleaner (available from hardware shops). Maintain a polished appearance with additional cleaning, especially in coastal areas where salinity is high.

Compact laminate

Compact laminate is a very durable material with a modern and clean aesthetic. In addition, this material requires little maintenance and usually only needs to be cleaned with a damp cloth. Rinsing and drying the furniture will avoid leaving streaks and if there is any grease and grime build-up, a non-abrasive cleaner or soap solution should be used.

Linen

Due to the natural fibre of the product, regular care is important to ensure the longevity of the linen. To remove any loose debris or dirt, simply vacuum the linen regularly with low suction. Although fabrics can be machine washed, the maximum temperature should be 40°C and use a mild natural detergent that does not contain any chlorinated bleach or bleach-like chemicals. Regular linen can be dried at the lowest possible temperature, but our raw or worsted linen must be dried in a well-ventilated area.

It is important not to leave dirt on the fabric for long periods of time or leave the mat submerged as this encourages mould growth. Instead, lay the mat on its side and let the water run off. Overall, linen covers are best suited to sheltered outdoor areas, such as balconies and verandahs.