10 Tips for Maintaining Your Natural Wood Outdoor Furniture

10 Tips for Maintaining Your Natural Wood Outdoor Furniture

There is nothing as welcoming as natural wood furniture. It combines comfort and luxury to make your backyard looking appealing. It is important to take care of your wood furniture so that it lasts a long time. Here are ten tips for maintaining your natural wood outdoor furniture that prolongs the life and beauty of your furniture:

1. Be mindful of the effect weather has on wood: Natural wood is not unlike human skin in many ways. This is something to remember when your natural wood outdoor furniture is exposed to the weather. Too much dry weather can do as much damage to natural wood as too much sun on human skin. Conversely, too much wet weather can cause premature aging and rot just as too much water can turn human skin pruney and wrinkly.

1. Avoid extreme temperatures that make wood unnaturally expand and contract: Temperature plays a big part with natural wood when it arcs from one extreme to another too suddenly in certain climates. For example, while the sun may be extremely hot in daylight, temperatures may drop to near freezing at night. This causes natural wood to expand and contract too frequently which wears down the wood's resiliency.
2. Protect natural wood furniture from damage from children, pets and gnawing insects: Children, pets and gnawing insects damage wood furniture when children rough house or pets are teething and find wood furniture to be soothing. Gnawing insects like termites and carpenter ants look for a tasty meal of wood furniture.
3. Choose protective storage methods when outdoor furniture is not in use: The safest way to maintain outdoor furniture is to store it in a protective, sheltered area like a shed or garage when not in use.
4. Be vigilant about the aging process of natural wood textures: Wood ages just as humans do. Without maintenance, both do not enjoy quality or long life. Keep a steady eye on how your wood furniture is aging.
5. Be sure to remove soot, dirt, and residue as soon as it becomes visible: Part of caring for your wood furniture is to remove soot, dirt, and residue as it begins to collect and becomes visible.
6. Purchase protective covers in the event of sudden rainstorms: The fastest and best protection from sudden storms is a supply of protective covers or tarps.
7. Check the natural wood surfaces for early signs of rot or decay: It's important to annually check natural woods surfaces for signs of rot or decay before they become a problem.
8. Consider applications of a sealant: If the weather is taking its toll, consider applying a high-quality sealant to your natural wood outdoor furniture.
9. Store indoors at the end of a season in a cool, dry place: The best way to keep your natural wood outdoor furniture looking new is to store it indoors in a cool, dry place at the end of the season.