Outdoor Furniture

...and How to Ensure Mould And Mildew are not an Issue

Outdoor furniture is one of the best ways for relaxing outdoors when the weather is warm enough for us to sit outside.  Having furniture for the garden can be great as it automatically

means you have an extra area for entertaining guests in the summertime – providing it’s not raining!  And you don’t have to keep your furniture purely for entertaining – you can also make use of your furniture in the evenings to sit outside and have your evening meal or to relax with a glass of wine.

However the fact that your outdoor furniture will be exposed to the elements means that it may be affected by mould or mildew at some stage.  That is why it is important to keep your furniture well maintained.  One of the best ways to deal with mildew or mould is to try to avoid it in the first place, but do not fret if you find that your garden furniture has been affected by it.  It can be removed with as little staining as possible.  You can buy products which will help you to get rid of it.

However as mentioned before, prevention is better than cure so it is really worthwhile taking the time to prevent mould or mildew becoming a problem.  You will have to work much harder to get rid of it than you would to prevent it in the first place.  Mould and mildew are types of fungus and grow much quicker in certain conditions.  In areas which are warm, dark and where there is moisture, these fungi will thrive. 

In order to stop mildew and mould becoming a problem to your outdoor furniture, you will have to follow some basic tips.  Because fungi grow when there is a food source available, it is really important that you ensure that you properly clean up any spillages that occur on your furniture.  Not only should you clean the spillage, but you should also ensure that the area is dried completely. 

Moisture is one of the best friends of mould and mildew so before you store your furniture away for the winter it is a good idea to make sure it is completely clean and dry.  Any cushions or umbrellas should be completely dry before you store or fold them.  Allow your furniture to dry completely in the sunshine if possible without the cushions on.  And it is important that you frequently clean your furniture to ensure that there is no food left on it.   And most important of all, is to make sure that the area where you are storing your outdoor furniture is not damp.