Warm weather is like an invitation for you to leave the indoors and get outside for a while. To really enjoy your property, it is nice to have a patio set available to relax and socialize on. A set of patio furniture that includes end tables, a chair, and a sofa can run you anywhere from $400 to $2,000. This can be a big investment in something that is exposed to nature on a daily basis. The weather can wreak havoc on your patio furniture over time. In order to avoid replacing your outdoor furniture too often, here are some tips to protect it. 

Remove Dirt and Grime

Dirt, dust, and animal debris are some of the major components affecting the the look and quality of your patio furniture. If you want to maintain it and prolong the life of it, you need to keep it clean. Since all patio furniture is different, the way you clean it is affected by the material of the furniture. Before doing anything, you want to vacuum up any loose particles off the furniture. For plastic, aluminum, and vinyl, you will want to use warm water and soap to wipe it down. If you have wood furniture, you do not want to put any soap on it. Instead, you just want to spray it off with water and scrub it if it is really dirty. 

Clean the Fabric

A lot of patio sets have fabric covers to make it more comfortable, especially metal sets. When the fabric is exposed to nature, it can fade and become dirty. To help protect it, you want to keep it covered when not in use so that the sun does not fade it over time. For many cushions and pillows, the fabric covers can be removed. If so, you will want to wash them in the sink by hand unless the tag states that they can be machine washed. Once the fabric is washed and dried, you will then want to spray it with a fabric protector. Before spraying the whole thing, try just a small area to ensure that it does not discolor the fabric. 

Protect with Wax

Metal furniture specifically is prone to rusting. If you spot any rust on the furniture, you can remove it by using a wire brush. This will help scrape off the rust and will flake off. Once the existing rust is removed, you can then begin to protect it from further rusting by covering it with a paste wax. This should be applied when you first buy the furniture and after every washing. 

Cover When Not in Use

To really keep it from being too exposed to nature, you want to make sure you cover it when not in use. This is the best way to actually prolong the life of your patio furniture. Look for patio covers that are fitted so you do not run the risk of the cover getting blown off. If you cannot find a patio cover, you can also store the furniture when not in use to help protect it further. 

For more information, contact Eastgate Pools or a similar company.