If you’ve been a homeowner for a while, you probably already know how important maintenance can be to keeping things in good condition. That principle extends beyond your home to your patio furniture too. If you have wooden patio furniture, do you know how to maintain it so it stays nice for years?

Cover It

Patio furniture is meant to be used. That’s the whole point of it, after all. Still, it’s not going to be in use 100% of the time. For those times when it’s going to go without use for a while, it’s best to keep it covered. This will shelter the furniture from wind, water, and sun, all of which can damage wooden furniture over time. Ideally, you should use covers that are designed for the furniture you have. If you have space, you can always bring it indoors as well if you don’t intend to use it for a longer period of time.

Clean It

Regularly cleaned furniture is more likely to stay nice for longer. You probably won’t need anything harsher than water mixed with some mild soap for most cleaning. If you need to do a deeper clean, a dishwasher detergent or oxygen bleach may be better. Depending on how you want your wood to age, you may only need to clean it once or twice a year. That will allow a patina to develop. Otherwise, more frequent cleanings accompanied by furniture oil and possibly some sealant will be in order. Keep in mind that the specifics for cleaning your furniture will depend on the type of wood you have.

Sand and Refinish as Needed

Wooden furniture that has become over-weathered will need more than just a good cleaning. In order to restore it to a better state, you’ll need to sand it down and refinish it. Start by cleaning off the furniture and allowing it to dry. Once it’s dry, you can take light-grade sandpaper to it. Spray off any sanding dust, and allow it to dry again. Once it’s dry, you’ll be able to apply a hardwood oil to it to help get rid of that weathered look.

Regardless of how much you paid for your patio furniture, it’s a good idea to take good care of it. That’s the best thing you can do to help it last for as long as possible and stay in good condition at the same time. Remember, if you ever have any questions, be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions for how to take care of the specific type of wood your furniture is made from.

Pair your furniture with an umbrella to keep the sun off both you and your furniture.