Damaged Garden Furniture From Improper Storage? Consider This

When the warmer weather starts to show itself, the excitement of summer garden hosting comes with it. It’s nice to relax in our green space with friends, family members, and even colleagues, maybe grilling meats or making pizzas outdoors, relaxing in our garden furniture, gardening or harvesting crops we’ve planted in Spring, and more.

But of course, garden furniture isn’t always in the best condition. That’s because while you may have covered it with a tarp, stored it in a shed, and generally kept it in good condition over the years, repeated exposure to the elements and winter-long cold can have an effect.

Replacing the unusable elements with much better, durable and new patio furniture can certainly be a worthwhile first step. But is it in the only option? In this post, we’ll discuss that and more:

Scrubbing & Removal Solutions

Cleaning the furniture can be important. Make sure to wear thick gloves just in case, especially to limit any splinters or rust exposure. That might involve using pressure washing, or a gentle sponge with pH-neutral soap. This way you can scrub off any dirt, mildew or grime (especially with a soft brush) and see what the actual damage is.

Assess Damage

Once you can see the damage, you can see which furniture is worth retaining and which needs to be disposed of. Cracked plastic furniture is unlikely to be restored for example, while deep rot in the wood of an armchair might require it to be thrown out. However, you could treat rust or replace the arm of a given chair if needed. For example, sanding away rust spots with grit sandpaper is a good starter.

Prime & Paint

Once the recoverable furniture has been identified and rot or rust has been treated, you can then apply primer to help protect the material and get it ready for painting and sealing. Paint simply and allow each coat to dry before applying another. From there use a sealant to make sure the paint doesn’t chip or come off on the clothes of those using the furniture. This can also help protect against moisture damage. Some may even allow spray coat application to make sure you easily get every small spot.

Consider Different Storing This Time Around

Maybe you struggled with dampness in your garage this winter, and that’s one of the reasons your furniture has been in a state of disrepair. Considering different storage measures can be helpful because it will prevent the same issue. Try to store furniture in drier environments with relatively regular temperatures. Sometimes, self-storage units can even be an inexpensive option for the winter. You can also purchase certain covers like tarpaulin to wrap a parasol in, keeping it in good condition while not in use. Of course, it might rain over the summer too, and so having a space where you can quickly and easily store furniture may save you money in the long run.

With this advice, you’ll be certain to prevent the improper storage of your garden furniture.