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Protecting Outdoor Furniture and Appliances

When you’ve put consideration, time, and money into your outdoor space, you want it to last. You want it to be beautiful. Over time, though, even furniture and appliances designed for outdoor use can become damaged due to weather and sun exposure. The best way to prolong its life is to protect it from the damage.

Things You May Need:

  • Outdoor Furniture Protectant product
  • Bucket for soap and water
  • Brushes
  • Upholstery Cleaner
  • Paint brushes
  • Paint or stain

Protecting Fabric Furniture

When it’s time to prepare for summer, take all the removable cushions from your furniture and wash them. If the cover doesn’t come off the cushion, you can use an upholstery cleaner for the same affect. Once cushion and cover are clean, you can spray the entire surface of the furniture with Outdoor Furniture Protectant. An added protection you can try is to place the cushions in plastic before returning to the cover. This will ensure your cushions are as long-lasting as the furniture itself.

Protecting Wood Furniture

Wood is most often stained or painted at the manufacturer, but this process may need to be repeated due to time and sun exposure. First, clean the surface of the furniture with soap and water (some homeowners use a power washer) and allow to dry. Then, use a brush to apply Outdoor Furniture Protectant to the furniture, paying close attention to the frames and supports, and allow to dry. This is when you will apply stain or paint to your liking. Make sure you purchase appropriate paint for use outdoors. Your wood will need a coat of primer before paint is applied.

Protecting Metal Furniture

Much of the damage your metal furniture will withstand overtime is due to where it’s placed. If you place metal furniture beneath a tree, it will most likely have a steady drip of water in one particular place following a rain. This small place will rust, then eventually form a hole. Be sure to place your metal furniture completely under a canopy or roof, or completely in the open sunlight to avoid drips that add rust to your furniture. To clean and protect it further, you should wash with soap and water (or power washer), and allow to dry. At this point you can paint the furniture with a product rated for outdoor use. When you purchase paint specifically for metal, it usually includes a rust inhibitor.

Protecting Outdoor Appliances

The most effective way to protect your outdoor appliances is to cover them when they’re not in use. Your products should be rated for outdoor use, but can still be affected by the elements. Additionally, by covering your stove-top and sink, and closing your grill, you keep animals and debris from getting into your appliances. For your refrigerator, it’s important to clean it regularly. If you have an awning, roof, or custom structure with limited space, the refrigerator can go inside with full protection.

Like every good investment, your outdoor space is only going to be as maintained and long-lasting as you allow. It’s a space to enjoy, but requires some upkeep.

Have a product from IBD Outdoor Rooms? Feel free to contact us and gain an expert recommendation about protecting your furniture and appliances!

By Sheryl Isenhour | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Comments Off on Protecting Outdoor Furniture and Appliances

Protect Your Outdoor Space from Winter Weather

When you’ve invested time and money into your perfect outdoor space, you want to maintain it properly. Protecting your appliances, surfaces, and furniture is very important not only during the wet Spring season, but also during the cold and sometimes wet Winter season.

Winterizing Your Outdoor Space

  • Shut off the water to your space. Letting water sit in the pipes and appliances can cause them to freeze and bust, causing damaged pipes, and sometimes affecting other parts of your outdoor kitchen. If your outdoor plumbing has its own shutoff valve, you can easily access it. Otherwise, you can disconnect the hoses on each appliance, draining them of water while you’re at it.
  • Switch off the circuit breaker to your outdoor kitchen or unplug individual appliances to conserve resources during the winter months. When you disconnect the cords you can inspect them and be sure they are in proper working order for their next use.
  • Clean your surfaces and appliances thoroughly. This includes refrigerators, sinks, counters, furniture, stoves, grills, and more. When your appliances are clean it decreases the risk of wild animals searching for food and shelter in your space. Wild animals can cause more damage than you think to your appliances and furniture.
  • Don’t cover refrigerators and ice makers. Covering these appliances can cause moisture to be trapped inside the tarp or cover, causing damage to the working parts. The appliances sold for outdoor use are designed to withstand the elements without being covered.
  • Remove faucets and store inside. This keeps the faucets from rusting and clogging. It is also a good idea to cover the sinks so that debris doesn’t settle into the basin, fall into the drain, and cause clogs and damage.
  • Apply an industrial sealant to stone counter-tops to avoid stains, chips, cracks, and other damage caused by winter weather. You can find a sealant at local home improvement stores or hire a professional to winterize your counter-tops.
  • Call a professional to inspect and winterize your gas appliance. You should also call a professional to install the appliance before use in the spring to insure it is in proper working order and safely connected to the gas source.
  • Clean out and cover your fire pit. If your fire pit is mobile, you might consider storing it inside, or purchasing a custom fire pit cover. Avoid a cracked and damaged fire pit by covering it completely. If water is allowed to fill the basin and freeze, even durable metal will crack.

Preserve Your Space

This is by no means an exhaustive list of winter tips for your outdoor space. In addition, depending on your appliances, space, furniture, and more, you may need more or less preparation. The important thing is to preserve your space! This means preserving your investments, and maintaining the operation of your space. At IBD Outdoor Rooms we turn fantasy into reality, and we want your dream space to be your dream space next year too!

By Sheryl Isenhour | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Comments Off on Protect Your Outdoor Space from Winter Weather