Eucalyptus Patio Furniture-5 Tips for Maintenance & Care

Anyone that is interested in attractive yet affordable and durable patio furniture should look into eucalyptus patio furniture - a popular new trend in patio furniture for those qualities and more. If you decide to buy a set of eucalyptus furniture or already have a set in your home or business, then you need to know how to maintain and care for your valuable furniture. Below are five tips for maintaining and caring for your eucalyptus furniture so that it stays attractive and functional for years to come.

Eucalyptus - also known as jarrah - has become a popular alternative to more traditional types of wooden patio furniture, like oak, maple, ash, cherry, pine, etc. - due to its natural beauty, affordability, durability, and resistance to damage, and wear and tear.

1. Properly Clean

One thing you can do to care for your outdoor patio tables and chairs made from eucalyptus is to regularly clean them. Remove any substances, such as food or animal droppings, from your furniture with a soft cloth and water. Be sure to dry off any wet surfaces too.

2. Teak Oil

You can also help maintain your furniture by applying teak oil to exposed surfaces. Teak oil acts as a natural preservative that helps the furniture to gleam and appear at its best but also resist the elements and negative effects that they can cause - such as peeling, cracking, and rotting. Rub teak oil into your furniture at least once a month, especially during the spring and summer months. It also makes a great polish for your eucalyptus patio furniture- which is perfect for when you want to spruce up your patio’s appearance for guests.

3. Protect it 

A third piece of advice to maintain and care for your furniture is to keep it as protected from the weather as possible. Rain, ice, sleet, hail, sunlight, and other meteorological manifestations can really hurt your furniture and cause it to chip, peel, crack, or splinter without proper care. One effective way to maintain your furniture from the elements is to waterproof it. You can use teak oil in conjunction with a commercial protective chemical that will seal your furniture and keep water from damaging it without harming the surface of your furniture.

Penetrating Oils. Since eucalyptus is commonly used for exterior items, such as doors and truck beds, a penetrating oil is a good choice for finishing. Liberally wipe the eucalyptus down with linseed oil, tung oil or Danish oil. Let the oil remain on the surface of the wood and then wipe it off again.

4. Covers

To go along with waterproofing, a fourth tip is to purchase protective covers that go on your furniture while they are outdoors. Ideally, you will want to store your furniture when it is not being used. This is not always practical, though, so the next best thing is to use waterproof covers that also block out UV rays. Most covers are made from synthetic materials and come with adjustable straps and fasteners to keep them in place.                             

5. Protective Surfaces

Finally, to keep your furniture looking its best and holding up for years, you should consider placing protective surfaces on the bottom of your table and chair legs. Eucalyptus patio furniture is made from wood, and wood can rot. Your table legs and chair legs in particular are vulnerable because they rest on surfaces that become damp and wet. To keep rot from affecting your tables and chairs from the bottom up, try placing rubber caps on the bottom.

By taking these simple hints and tips and putting them into practice, you can ensure that your furniture is there to stay for years to come, right on your patio where it belongs. Purchasing outdoor patio tables and chairs for your home or business is an investment - one that can cost hundreds of dollars easily. You want to protect your investment as much as possible and maintain and care for your furniture so that it lasts for years. 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6081451 By Vada Lorea