Use and Care Manual

Care and Maintenance for Outdoor Metal Furniture
Determining Furniture Type
Aluminum furniture is lighter than furniture made from other materials, and it is not as susceptible to rust and mold
as other types of outdoor furniture. Besides cast aluminum patio furniture, which is made by pouring molten
aluminum into molds, there is tubular aluminum furniture.
Much of the tubular aluminum furniture is sprayed with a powder coated finish which is then heated to a high
temperature for an excellent protective coating.
Aluminum does not rust, however it does oxidize. This type of corrosion actually protects the metal from the elements,
however it is not nearly as brilliant as the piece looked originally. Bad oxidation may cause pitting which looks like small
specks.
Steel furniture is susceptible to rust. Steel furniture is also powder coated the same as aluminum furniture is and
should be maintained in the same manner. If your set is a steel tubular frame you may find that rust water will come
from inside of the frames if they are not properly covered or stored when expecting rain/snow/ice. Covering or storing
the frames will avoid rain water from allowing to build up inside of the steel tubular frames.
Cleaning Aluminum/Steel Furniture
The primary care requirement for aluminum/steel patio furniture is frequent cleaning. Dirt and grime are the most
common culprits if there is any kind of corrosion/rust on a piece of aluminum/steel patio furniture, so preventing a
buildup of dirt is important.
Remove any decorative cushions or furniture accessories before cleaning your aluminum/aluminum furniture.
Cushions require a separate cleaning process, and to avoid mildewed cushions, it’s best to give them priority
consideration at a separate time.
Use a garden hose with a spray or “rain” setting to remove the largest pieces of dirt and debris from the furniture.
Avoid using a pressure washer or a strong setting on a garden hose nozzle. Too strong and focused a stream of water
could cause damage to the furniture’s finish.
After spraying the furniture off, make a bucket of soapy water with mild dish detergent and water. Using a soft cloth
or a soft brush, go over each piece of furniture and remove any remaining sediment.
Alkaline cleaners will CAUSE oxidation/rust, so avoid chemicals like ammonia (found in Windex), and TSP. If a piece is
lightly oxidized (from pollution) try an acidic solution (1:1) of white vinegar and water. This mixture will help deter
oxidation from building up on the furniture. For daily protection, do not place the furniture where it will consistently
endure rain or water damage, as this will erode the aluminum and destroy the paint.
Particularly watch the underside of the furniture and weld joints and be sure to clean them carefully.
Rinse Thoroughly
You don’t want to leave any dirt or cleanser residue on the furniture, so use a garden hose to rinse the furniture
completely and allow to air dry or wipe down with a soft dry cloth.
As you rinse, you will also want to check nooks and crannies and weld joints again to be sure no residue or cleansers
have collected there.