Proper Care of Cedar Furniture
If you have recently purchased cedar patio furniture, you may not know much about the care and maintenance of the product. It’s true that a number of wood products need special attention, especially when used outdoors. However, with your cedar product, you are in luck because there is very little maintenance required to keep your cedar in good condition.
Normally, if you buy unfinished wood furniture, you have to treat it with oil or varnish, sealing it against the elements, especially for outdoor use. With cedar, this is completely unnecessary because the wood produces its own natural oils that protect it from the weather. Therefore, as far as patio furniture goes, cedar is an excellent choice to avoid heavy maintenance or need for refinishing every few years.
Keeping your cedar log furniture clean is as simple as rinsing it with a hose every so often to avoid gathering of dirt and grime that will stain clothing. Of course, you should always let the wood dry completely before using it to avoid soaking your own clothes. Rinsing off these particles will also keep the wood from splintering and becoming rough from the etching of the grit and grime, which can cause the wood to become more susceptible to weather conditions.
During the cold season, when you won’t be spending as much time outside, you should consider storing your cedar outdoor furniture in a better protected location, such as a garage, attic, basement, or storage facility. This will aid in maintaining the wood’s resistance to weather – remember, it is resistant but not weatherproof, so it does begin to age after a time. One exception to the rule may be wooden picnic tables, since these are so large and tedious to move and will usually be covered with a cloth prior to use anyway, making imperfections of no consequence.
When your wood furniture comes out of storage every spring, it would be a good idea to take ultra fine sandpaper and give it a once over to remove any splintering, dirt, and imperfections that could cause it to be damaged by wear and weather or to hurt someone sitting on it before its first use of the season. This will make sure it is always fresh and will help to release a new oily fragrance that is natural to the cedar.
When you buy cedar, you are setting yourself up for an easy life. There’s no need to really be concerned with troubling maintenance or any problems with your furniture. It couldn’t be simpler, and should you not have the time to complete the ritual one season, it’s not going to be detrimental to the wood. Therefore, proper care of your cedar furnishings for your outdoor area is a cinch.