KAREN WIGHT -- No place Like Home

Most of us spend a lot of time outside during the summer months:

dining alfresco, casual entertaining on the patio, lounging outside until

the sun goes down. Part of the outdoor experience includes special

furniture that is made to weather the storm. Whether the weather is mild

or wild, fall is the perfect time to repair, clean and store furniture

that won’t be used during the colder months.

If you have invested in teak furniture, your upkeep will be minimal if

you choose to let your furniture turn a handsome silver-gray. This

initial aging process takes about nine months, depending on the weather

conditions and exposure to sun and rain. Teak furniture has a timeless

appeal and, with a little maintenance, your teak furniture will remain

strong and attractive for decades.

Clean your teak furniture with a soft-bristle brush and a solution of

water, dishwashing soap and a little bleach. Rinse the wood thoroughly,

allow it to dry and cover any pieces that won’t be used for a while. If

your furniture needs a deep cleaning, use a teak cleaner. If you want to

keep your teak furniture the original golden color, you can use a sealer

annually to help maintain its natural color. This prevents the “checking”

process, a lifting of the grain on the top edges of the arms and legs.

Teak used indoors can be finished with teak or linseed oil, or a

furniture wax such as Briwax or Johnson’s wax to maintain its golden

glow. The experts say even old and weathered teak furniture can have the

original tones restored with a light sanding and conditioning.

Metal furniture is an easy-care proposition. Older or vintage metal

furniture just gets better as it gets older. Patina is in, so if you’re

worried about the rust on your metal bistro set, don’t be. Rust seems to

add to the value. Go figure.

If you have an older set of aluminum patio furniture, such as Brown

Jordan, you can give it new life with a fresh powder coating and new

strapping. Several companies specialize in the restoration of aluminum

outdoor furniture and, as an extra bonus, you can change the colors of

both the frames and the strapping: The sky is the limit. If Harvest Gold

doesn’t fit into your color scheme anymore, it’s time for a make-over.

Choose a fresh finish and a fresh color scheme.

If plastic or resin is your open-air option, clean your set with a

mild bleach solution. Those mildew spots will vanish. For some reason,

plastic with a patina is just not the same thing as a 1940s park glider.

Keep your plastic fresh with regular rinses and, if you have space in the

garage or a covered outdoor area, stack it up for the winter.

Furniture cushions and canvas umbrellas should be cleaned off with a

damp cloth and spot cleaned for any big stains. Store fabric items in a

dry place or cover them with a weatherproof material. A canvas umbrella

will last three times longer with a little care.

Reward your outdoor furniture for a job well done. Spend a little

maintenance time now and reap the rewards in spring, when the longer days

and warmer evenings beckon you back outside.

KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs Saturdays.

PO This old metal glider was rescued from a park in New Jersey. Some

call it rusty, others say it has patina, but age has given it a character

all its own.