| Your patio furniture provides many hours of relaxation and enjoyment, so you want it to stay looking its best for as long as possible. Proper care and protection of patio furniture is necessary to prolong its life and keep it sturdy and usable.
The type of care and protection required, though, varies with the type of furniture you own.Common patio furniture materials like wicker, resin, and wood each need specific types of care to keep them in the best shape possible.
Wicker furniture
Wicker furniture can be cleaned with plain water, using either a standard garden hose or a pressure washer.Once any cushions are removed and set aside, simply spray the dirt off the furniture.If they are especially dirty, you can use a sponge and some mild soap to get at the extra grit and grime.
Wicker that has been painted is prone to chipping and flaking, so be gentle when using a sponge.Avoid vigorous scrubbing, opting instead for gentle strokes of the sponge using light pressure.
Allow wicker to dry completely, and then use a common paste wax to protect the material, give it water resistance, and keep it looking shiny.Although some wicker furniture is labeled weather resistant, it is always a good idea to protect it from prolonged direct exposure to harsh elements like sun, wind, rain and snow.
 During the off-season store pads and cushions inside or in the garage, and move the furniture inside as well if you have the space.If you do not have enough space to bring it inside then you should cover it with plastic or some other type of waterproof material and place it in a spot that is as protected as possible.
Resin furniture
The easiest patio furniture to keep and protect is made of resin.Resin is a type of heavy-duty plastic that is sturdy and weather resistant, coming in several colors and textures to suit many different tastes.
Use a hose to spray loose dirt off of resin furniture, followed by a sponge and mild soap if needed to get rid of dried materials or stubborn dirt.Avoid using harsh abrasives and rough scrubbers, as these can scratch resin furniture and leave behind scuffmarks.If your furniture does end up with scuffmarks, use a gentle abrasive to buff out the marks and restore the resin to smoothness.
Although resin is tough and extremely weather resistant, it should be protected from long periods in direct sunlight as well as open exposure to wind, rain and snow.Most resin furniture is easy to stack and store, so during the off-season bring it into the garage if possible.If it must remain outdoors, cover it and put it in a sheltered spot.
Wood furniture
There are several different kinds of wood used in patio furniture, and the proper care and protection of each may differ slightly.It is always best to save and consult the manufacturer care instructions for wood patio furniture.There are some general guidelines, though, for taking care of wood furniture so that it remains in good condition for many years.
Most outdoor wood furniture has been treated with some form of varnish or protective coating, and if this is the case with your furniture then you can clean it gently with a soft sponge and mild soapy water.It is important to thoroughly rinse the furniture after washing, though, because any soap that is left behind will dry and form a residue that is unsightly and may damage the protective coating.
During the off-season wood furniture should be stored inside and away from the elements.If your furniture is made of cedar or teak, however, it can be left outside as long as it is covered and placed in a sheltered location.
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