Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Protecting Wood Outdoor Furniture

Wood outdoor furniture are undeniably the choice of the majority because of their natural beauty and probably sturdier provided they are made from good craftsmanship. The only downside of this is their vulnerability against outdoor elements. Well, all materials definitely have weaknesses but, wood’s disadvantages can be have solutions that are easy to follow.

During autumn and winter all outdoor furniture items, regardless of material, suffer from the beating of the frequent fluctuation of temperature and humidity. The moisture and freezing temperature are even harsher for the wood which will have a great negative effects at a molecular level.

Wood can become odd looking, gradually deteriorates, and would render useless in the end. Wood warps or splits, the texture becomes worst, and color fades or its paint cracks and chip away.

Though there are woods that can withstand against outdoor elements and may even age beautifully, they are just not fully immune to the harsh outdoor situations.

The great news is that there are solutions to ensure the wood lasts longer beautiful.

Wood Preservative
The first thing you can do for a wood furniture is treat it with wood preservative if it has not been treated by its manufacturer. This will remove and protect the wood from fungus and other micro organisms that causes rot and decay.

Furniture Oil
Furniture oils are essential to maintain your furniture. Oil treatment brings back the vibrancy of natural wood color and add some protection from moisture as it also replenishes the natural oil lost after long period of outdoor exposure. Be sure to buy oils that are appropriate or specific for your wood furniture type. You can always read manufacturer's instructions or ask the dealers about it.

Wood Stain and Sealer
Wood stains restore the original wood color and can also be used to make a new color while also enhancing the woods resistance to the elements. It adds a coating to repel water so it is also a great addition to maintenance. Then add wood sealer for optimum protection from sun, rain, mold, and pests. A good wood sealer primarily protects maintains the beautiful color of the surface. It also prevents moisture and adds UV protection so your furniture stays in good condition from the surface and down deep into the wood.

These steps of protecting wood ensures your outdoor patio furniture are resilient against outdoor elements. However, there are other really simple things you can do that helps protect your furniture such as providing furniture covers when not in use for a long period and placing them under a sunshade or outdoor umbrellas.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

3 Money Saving Ideas for Garden Design and Decoration

Making a beautiful garden doesn’t have to be expensive, yet, it doesn’t have to be boring. Here are tips on how you can make a livable and beautiful garden without costing much.

Borders and Edging
Regularly we see conventional garden edging using bricks and stones. The looks of the project depends on how it is made and laid either you make a raised bed border or a paved one. Wood is another good material especially for raised garden bed. You can only make straight edges out of it but is really easy and quick to build. Empty bottle edging is another interesting idea, the better the bottles the more it becomes eye catchy. Used empty bottles are free, instead of disposing them, better use in your garden.

Recycled Pallet Furniture
A lot folks have shared how they make garden furnitures out of used pallet which can be obtained for free or at a nominal cost from local places. Used pallet can be found in places like construction site, hardware stores, feed supply stores, small businesses’ dumpster, and in newly opened stores and depots.

You can make virtually any type of outdoor furniture out of used pallets. Because pallets are constructed in way that is easy to re-purpose, with a little woodworking knowledge you can easily make furnitures from chairs to benches, lounge chairs to patio furniture sofa sets, and even a bed set. Apply some wood stain or paint and add outdoor cushions, one can hardly tell that they are made from scraps.

Recycled planters
Great alternative to create a container garden to creatively grow your own food and make your home green even without ground space. You can use any qualified unused items around the house as long as it can serve like a planter. You can re-purpose tin cans and boxes, old wooden pallets, rubber tires, old boots, and the list goes on.

Friday, April 17, 2015

Removing Mold and Mildew Stains from Outdoor Cushions Naturally

Mold and mold spores can be present anywhere inside and outside your home. Mold spores can reach any places through the air and will quickly become a fully grown mold whenever moisture is present. If not treated, it can cause deterioration, odor, and stain.

Outdoor cushions, which are always outside over your patio furniture, are more vulnerable because they are frequently exposed to moisture and other elements. Proper cleaning and maintenance is important for these to retain the good looks, and to make them last longer.

Here’s what you need:

  • Rubber Gloves - for your safety.
  • Borax - a natural white substance that can kill mold and some bacteria.
  • White Vinegar - also a natural and consumable liquid that can remove mold and bacteria.
  • Bucket - to use for making the cleaning solution.
  • Clean Sponge
  • Clean Cloths
  • Garden Spray


Use rubber gloves for safety because although borax is a natural substance, it is still not safe to be directly in contact to skin as it may cause irritation. It can also be toxic when ingested but is friendly to your home and garden environment. Mix 1/2 cup of borax to 2 cups of hot water, mix very well. Remember this ratio in case you need more mixture.

Remove the washable covers of the cushion and wash them separately. Using the clean sponge, rub the borax on the areas that have mold or mildew. Leave the borax solution in the cushion for few hours or until the mold and mildew disappear. Then rub it with a clean damp cloth or just spray it clean with water and leave it to dry.

You can use the same procedure to remove the mold and mildew stains from the cushion.

Finally, fill the clean garden spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar and spray it all over the cushions for final cleaning and odor removal. The vinegar is a natural substance that is effective in killing any remaining mold and mold spores. Then allow it to dry in natural sunlight or air dry if there is none.

Monday, April 6, 2015

Easy Outdoor Cushion Cleaning and Maintenance

The most effective way to keep your outdoor cushions in good condition is cleaning them as often as needed. Do not disregard dirt for a longer period because it makes them hard to remove and may invite stain and mold. Heavy dirt can be easily removed when done immediately than later.

Cleaning and maintaining your cushions is easy with just basic items. Clean them easily with sponge, soap, and water. Use mild soap or just use some dish soap. Fill a bucket with water, then add and mix the soap. Dip the sponge in the soapy water and then use it to wipe the cushion clean. Then let them air dry.

It is important to avoid machine washing and drying the cushions as it will damage the cushion. Do not use bleach, this chemical is harmful to the cushion especially to its color.

Simple as that, your cushions should be completely clean.

When your cushions are not in use for a longer time, move them into a clean and dry place. You can store them indoor like in your garage, shed, or basement but, there are easy solutions to that. Buy outdoor storage bins and bags so that the cushions can be stored easily without the hassle of bringing them here and there.

Additionally, there are patio furnitures such as benches that double as storage bins or cabinets. Very useful when you are out of outdoor space, or just want things concealed and make a neatly organized outdoor place. It is also a convenient storage solution for storing other items in your patio.

These are the easy steps that should make your cushions clean, looking great, and last longer. Just a side note, some cushions are just made differently that need special care. Be sure to read manufacturer’s cleaning and maintenance instructions attached. If you can’t find one, using these easy steps above should still be safe for them.