How to Treat Outdoor Furniture

Clean your outdoor furniture with warm soapy water and a clean cloth. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft terrycloth towel. Allow your furniture to air dry completely for at least 24 hours before applying any sealers or oil.

Remove outdoor cooking soot from blackened wood furniture with a mixture of one cup of trisodium phosphate and one gallon of warm water. Scrub well with a soft-bristled brush, rinsing afterward with cool water.

Examine your furniture after it has dried for cracks and flaking; lightly sand any areas of deterioration with fine grade sandpaper. Treated wood should be stripped completely with a varnish remover before refinishing.

Oil teak wood furniture with teak oil once or twice yearly. Apply the oil with a clean paintbrush and wipe off excess oil with a soft absorbent cloth.

Restore treated woods with a manufacturer-recommended sealer that contains a mildew inhibitor and wood preservative. This will slow down the aging process and help keep mold at bay.

Replace any rusted hardware such as screws, fasteners and bolts to avoid staining the wood. Always use a silicone-based lubricant when oiling wheels or hinges, as those with oil bases will attract a grimy residue.

Clean furniture cushions and umbrella fabric, including water-resistant fabrics, according to manufacturer instructions. Clean light grime with a sponge or scrub brush and mild soap solution -- 1/4 cup of mild soap to 1 gallon of lukewarm water -- and then thoroughly rinse and dry. Water-resistant fabrics may need extra care, including reapplication of waterproofing solution.