Outdoor Furniture Care and Maintenance

At Modern Style Outdoor Furniture, we are committed to bringing you durable, high-quality outdoor furniture.

Our furniture is designed to last, but it does need to be looked after to ensure you can enjoy your investment for years to come.

Our climate here in New Zealand can be challenging, with harsh conditions such as intense sunlight, strong winds, heavy rain, frost, high humidity, and proximity to seawater and airborne particles like pollen. All of these can cause deterioration of outdoor furniture. Regular cleaning using our guide for outdoor furniture care and maintenance will keep it looking great!

SUNBRELLA FABRIC
We use Sunbrella® fabrics because of their excellent quality and weather-resistant properties. Sunbrella® is amazingly easy to maintain and should be cleaned regularly or any time it is dirty. We recommend keeping the covers on the cushion when cleaning the fabric, which makes it easier to clean and helps protect the cushion, cover and zips. To keep it looking its best:

  1. Brush off any loose dirt.
  2. Use a sponge or soft brush to apply mild soap and warm water to the fabric.
  3. Let it sit for a moment before rinsing off thoroughly with clean water.
  4. Allow to air-dry fully outside.

Sunbrella fabric itself is designed to resist mould and mildew, but if surface dirt and contaminants (like bird droppings, dust and pollen) are not cleaned off, then mould will grow on the surface dirt. Simple routine cleaning will prevent this from forming.

For more stubborn stains and mildew:

  1. Add 1 cup of bleach to approximately four litres of mildly soapy water.
  2. Apply directly to the stain.
  3. Use a soft brush or sponge to clean.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
  5. Allow to air dry fully outside.
  6. If necessary, repeat with additional bleach.

Bleach will not harm the Sunbrella fabric, but it does need to be rinsed thoroughly with plenty of water; a garden hose is best. Sunbrella will air-dry quickly. Avoid drying covers in a dryer.

Although our outdoor Sunbrella fabric cushions and sofas are designed to be left outside all year round, we advise either bringing them indoors or covering them during the winter months, and during heavy rain, or if your outdoor area is particularly shady during the off-season.

Talk to us about our furniture covers. Please note, teak furniture should not be covered. Therefore, you will need to store cushions inside rather than covering your teak lounge furniture.

ALUMINIUM OUTDOOR FURNITURE
Aluminium is a great option for outdoor furniture. It is lightweight, strong, durable, needs minimal maintenance, and will not rust. Our aluminium furniture, including frames and tables, has been powder–coated to ensure it is best suited for the outdoors. Caring for it is simple:

  1. Use mild, soapy, warm water and a very soft brush or soft cloth to clean.
  2. Rinse with fresh, clean water and towel-dry if necessary.
    Be gentle with the surface of your aluminium furniture. Avoid any abrasive cleaners or anything that may scratch it as this can make it susceptible to rust. If chipping does happen, you will need to give the area a light sand and touch up with a matching outdoor paint.

Sunscreen and grease can mark or stain the surface of your powder-coated aluminium furniture, so please avoid any contact to prevent this from happening.

A quick hose-off will be necessary more often in areas exposed to salt air or salt water to remove the build-up of salt on the furniture. Salt will affect the life of the powder coating.

It is worthwhile twice yearly to wash with car wash and wax (eg. Turtlewax “Car Wash and Wax”) or silicone spray (when the frames are dry) to further protect it from the elements.

TEAK OUTDOOR FURNITURE
Teak is one of the strongest and most durable hardwoods. It is a popular choice for outdoor furniture; it’s beautiful, long-lasting, and naturally weather-resistant. With the correct care, it can be left outside permanently.

You have two options with teak, either you leave it untreated and let it weather to a silvery-grey over time, or you can apply a teak protector and shield to maintain the natural warm brown tones. We recommend Golden Care products, which we stock, to keep your teak looking as good as new. Teak should be left uncovered as it needs to breathe. You may wish to store the cushions inside over the winter period.

To maintain the natural colour and prevent aging of the wood from occurring, we recommend applying Golden Care Teak Protector after you first purchase the furniture. Teak Shield should also be used to help prevent stains and protect against moisture and the adhesion of dirt and mould growth.

If dark, black patches develop on the teak surface, this can be due to the growth of mould on the furniture. This can happen if there are mould spores present in the air, or if the furniture stays wet for a period of time, which can encourage its growth in damp conditions. It is not a sign that the wood is rotting or a defect. If mould starts to grow on the surface, wash it down with teak cleaner, or a mild bleach solution. Rinse off thoroughly. Please ask about specific instructions on using the Golden Care products.

Teak wood is a natural product, so variations in grain and colour occur. It can crack and split over time as it acclimatises to its surroundings. It will naturally expand and contract with weather changes, and with age, “checking” or cracking almost always occurs. It does not look perfect.

Teak furniture requires minimal cleaning and maintenance:

  1. A general brush down with a soft brush will remove built-up dust and dirt.
  2. For a more thorough clean, use mild soap and water with a soft brush or cloth.
  3. Rinse with fresh water.
  4. For any stubborn stains, we advise using Golden Care Teak Cleaner.

RATTAN OUTDOOR FURNITURE
Our Rino Rattan furniture is made from high-quality synthetic wicker. This weave is manufactured using a high-density polyethylene strand with UV stabilisers built-in, so it can withstand extreme outdoor conditions. It can be left outside all year round and although maintenance is minimal, you will need to clean it from time to time. Use of chemical outdoor cleaners or mould-killing products is not recommended. We sell Golden Care products for use on wicker outdoor furniture to clean and protect it.

To clean outdoor rattan:

  1. Vacuum with a brush attachment to remove loose dust.
  2. Spray with a low-pressure hose to rinse.
  3. For a deeper clean, use a bucket of mild soapy water (not too much detergent) and a soft sponge or cloth, then gently rinse off with fresh water.
  4. Any food, drink, or other stains need to be cleaned away immediately.
  5. Allow to air-dry or use an old towel to dry off.

We have covers available for use in winter or heavier weather.

QUICK-DRY FOAM CUSHIONS
Quick-dry foam is a high-performance material designed for use in outdoor furniture. We use this for all the cushion inners in our settings. It drains quickly, allowing the cushions to dry out fast, even after being saturated. Thanks to the large open cell structure, water and air easily pass through. They remain cleaner than conventional foam as dirt and dust do not get trapped.

After cleaning the complete cushion with the covers on, tip them on their side to allow the water to run out. The foam has built-in anti-microbial protection to prevent the growth of common mould and fungus.

Please be aware that before using furniture covers, your furniture needs to be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Ensure you periodically uncover your furniture and let it dry out so as not to let moisture form due to changes in temperature, or rain.

By following these outdoor furniture care and maintenance guidelines, your furniture will remain looking its best.

Visit One of Our Showrooms Across New Zealand

Check out your nearest Modern Style outdoor furniture showroom today!

We understand investing in outdoor furniture requires careful consideration, which is why our showrooms have display models for you to experience firsthand. Whether you’re seeking stylish outdoor chairs, luxurious sun loungers, comfortable sofas, or elegant dining furniture, rest assured, we have your needs covered.

Our showrooms are in Rosedale, Auckland; Te Rapa, Hamilton; Tauriko, Tauranga; and Riccarton, Christchurch. Our friendly and helpful team is here to help you find the perfect setting for your space.

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