The ABCs of outdoor wood table maintenance

Have you decided to replace your garden furniture or purchase a table to complement your outdoor décor and you’re thinking about opting for wood?

Exotic wood outdoor furnishings, for example, a teak table, are timeless, warm and elegant. Whether they feature a classic or contemporary design, they can easily blend in with your existing décor. What’s more, most exotic wood outdoor tables are quite heavy, so there’s no risk of them flying away in strong winds or storms.

However, you may be wondering how to maintain an outdoor wood table and if they’re easy to clean. Nothing could be simpler! Here’s how to go about it.

How to maintain an outdoor wood table

During the spring or early summer, you’ll need to clean your outdoor wood table and other patio furniture to ensure that everything’s in tip-top condition and ready for use.

Just follow these simple steps:

• Wipe the furniture down with a cloth to get rid of any superficial dust.
• Scrub everything with a hard-bristle brush, using warm water and a mild soap like Marseille soap or black soap.
• Brush all surfaces, paying special attention to the nooks and crannies. If necessary, you can use a toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas.
• Rinse everything thoroughly.
• Let the furniture dry completely.

During the warm season, to prevent dirt, dust and grime from becoming embedded in your outdoor wood table, you can wipe it down once a week with a soft damp cloth or even clean it with soap and water from time to time.

Over the years, exotic woods naturally take on a greyish tinge as a result of UV radiation and pollution. This discoloration is completely normal and won’t diminish the quality or integrity of your garden furniture. You basically have two choices in this regard:

• If you like the silvery-grey patina, which is often sought by decorators because it lends a certain style to outdoor wood tables and decks, you can simply wipe the table down with a cloth or a little soapy water every so often.
• If you prefer for your outdoor wood furnishings to maintain their natural tint, once or twice a year, you’ll need to apply a layer of penetrating oil finish, teak oil or some other product specially designed to protect exotic woods.

What kind of wood should you choose?

You have a full range of different woods to choose from, but your best bet is to opt for patio furniture made from premium exotic woods like teak (which is the most popular wood for use in garden furniture) and Ipe (also called Brazilian walnut or ironwood). These types of wood require very little maintenance. In fact, exotic woods are naturally very resistant to harsh weather conditions, impacts, insects, rot, fungus, mold and mildew. They won’t rust when in contact with metal, won’t dry out and won’t crack. They’re also known for being extremely durable, as long as they’re properly cleaned and maintained.

Do you need any additional advice on how to maintain your outdoor wood table? The specialized personnel at JML Inc. would be more than happy to assist you.