Longer days and warmer weather are on our doorstep, and have already arrived in some parts of the country. With now being a great time to freshen up your outdoor areas after the winter months – here’s some Spring cleaning tips and inspiration for you.
First, give any powder coated metal and timber surfaces a good dust and wipe down with a soft, dry cloth (microfibre if possible). Then wash the surfaces thoroughly with warm (gentle) soapy water to remove dust, grime and insects. Always rinse well with fresh water, to remove any remaining detergent and allow to dry. Laminates are especially hard-wearing and can withstand the use of household detergents when needed for persistent stains. Clean water or a window cleaning agent can be used remove any detergent, and rubbing the surface dry with an absorbent clean cloth or paper towel will prevent streaks and smears.
Harsh cleaning processes and agents can cause damage and reduce the lifespan of your product. So, avoid steam cleaning, pressure washing, abrasive cleansers, steel brushes/wools, cleaners containing chlorine and aggressive solvents such as turpentine, white spirits, thinners, citrus-based cleaners and household detergents like Spray n’ Wipe.
Whilst all our high-performance upholstery is designed specifically for outdoor use, proper care & maintenance will ensure it looks its best for as long as possible. Vacuum and clean upholstery of any organic detritus including food, bird or bat excrement, seeds, fruits, flowers and leaves from overhanging vegetation. Remove any stagnant water, especially if exposed to locations with a high level of humidity or a marine climate, and where possible, to extend product life, store upholstered components in a protected, well-ventilated area,
We recommend removing detritus regularly and scraping any stains or spills off fabric surfaces as soon as they appear. Carefully spot clean with soapy water and make sure to rinse well with clean water afterwards to remove any remaining soap. Many high-performance outdoor fibres are so resilient that they can be cleaned with diluted bleach solution when needed for stubborn stains and marks – but always check with the individual fabric manufacturer / textile mill prior.
Care & Maintenance Guidelines
The warmer season brings many gifts – and outdoor dining is one of our favourites. Whether you prefer a round table like Jil or the brand-new Correa, a timber option like Kink or Linear, or a statement piece like Voom, Trace or Billy, dining tables set the tone for your experience. Perhaps a more intimate setting with a Pogo Café Table or Volley Dining Table is more your style, or you want to create a bar-style perch with the Seam High Table, or a casual vibe with Scape Picnic Table.
Comfort and all-weather durability is a must for outdoor seating. Designed for ergonomic enjoyment, many of our dining chairs like Correa, Billy, Jak, Seam, Swing, Tidal and Volley come with optional arms, upholstered seat and back pads.
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Sometimes, your outdoor furniture needs a more serious intervention than a wipe down. For minor nicks and scratches, you can DIY with our Powder Coat and Timber Touch Up Kits (most effective when repaired asap following damage). And when your furniture needs some deeper TLC to deal with general wear and tear, or wanting a new look and feel, refurbishing is a great option. Because we manufacture every Tait piece in-house, and are committed to circular principles, all our products are designed for refurbishment. An updated powder coat colour, new upholstery or foam, and refinishing timber are all ways to extend the life of your product – at significantly less cost than new furniture. Of course, by refurbishing you’ll also be diverting valuable materials from becoming unnecessary landfill. We’d love to help keep our products functioning well and looking great in your outdoor spaces.
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