Here are a few audience questions concerning maintenance of a clean outdoor space:Q: Candle wax dripped onto my outdoor glass table. What's the best way to remove it?
A: Use a hair dryer set on high, holding it at an angle, and then use a scraper to pull off the wax. If you have residue when you're done, put some rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth and clean it off.
Q: I'd rather spend my time enjoying my outdoor furniture than taking care of it. What are my best maintenance-free choices?
A: If I got just one word for you: plastics. They are easy to clean and very durable in all kinds of weather conditions. Iodized finishes and aluminum frames or aluminum with baked-on enamel are also good choices. In fact, we'll go into detail on how to easily clean all of those later on in the program.
Q: I don't like the way plastic and aluminum furniture looks. I like a more natural style. Am I asking for trouble if I use wicker?
A: Let me give you some facts about wicker. The term refers to a variety of vines, grasses and plants that are woven into furniture. There are four major types of wicker: rattan, reed, willow and bamboo. Wicker likes humidity, but rain and direct sunlight are damaging to it. It's best to keep it under some kind of shelter if you plan on using it. People in dry climates might have a problem with wicker because the low humidity can cause it to crack. Spritzing it down or wiping it with a damp sponge may help.
Dust wicker furniture regularly with a small brush or a vacuum cleaner. Spills should be taken care of immediately before they harden or stain by wiping with a sponge wrung in sudsy water.
To clean, prepare a solution of detergent and water. Skim the suds onto a damp sponge and apply to furniture, working on a small portion at a time. Use a small brush in crevices (a paintbrush that's had the bristle length cut in half works well). Treat wooden parts of wicker furniture the same way. Work in the suds and then wipe them off with a clean damp sponge.
Some people spray-rinse raw wicker with a garden hose or put it under the shower. I don't recommend this, especially with very porous wicker like bamboo. But if you do, or if your wicker was left outside in the rain, dry it as fast as possible by using a hair dryer or directing a fan onto it to keep air circulating. A windy day is good for drying wicker. If your wicker is painted, watch for signs of cracking and peeling from all that moisture.
Never use or sit on wicker until it is completely dry. Before using the furniture again, check all surfaces for sharp strands or fuzzy places. Sand them smooth with fine sandpaper.
If you want to apply a coating of clear varnish, shellac or lacquer, do it now while the furniture is clean and dry. A thin coating of liquid furniture wax applied after the new finish is completely dry will help maintain the gloss finish. If sealed and waxed, wicker can easily be kept clean by using the sponge-and-detergent method we just talked about.
