You’ve undoubtedly put a ton of work into your patio setup, and you don’t want that gorgeous furniture and landscaping to be marred by nasty rust! You want to get the most out of your outdoor space, so how do you prevent patio furniture from rusting?
You can prevent patio furniture from rusting by keeping your furniture dry, regular cleaning and maintenance, applying rust protective coatings, and choosing non-corrosive metals or coatings that won’t rust.
Sounds easy, but there’s more to it than that! In the rest of this article, I’ll go into the details of how to prevent patio furniture from rusting by discussing all the above methods, including specific examples and strategies!
Keep patio furniture dry
Since rusting occurs with exposure of iron (which is in many common metal products, including steel) to moisture and oxygen, one of the best things you can do to prevent your patio furniture from rusting is to keep it dry!
Metal furniture is durable, so some may think it can withstand all weather conditions. But you’ll have to take a few precautions, even with sturdy steel. So what are those?
Bring furniture into storage
If you’re expecting harsh weather or the summer season is fading into fall and winter, bring your metal patio furniture into storage if you can. Keeping your furniture in a weatherproof room like a garage or shed will keep it dry and safe from corrosion.
Additionally, you may not maintain your patio furniture when it isn’t frequently used. If you know you’re taking a break from outdoor lounging, putting your furniture away in a safe place will keep it clean and dry!
Use a furniture cover
What if you don’t have a shed to put your furniture in? Maybe you don’t have time to move it all, and there’s a storm coming. Or you simply don’t have any other space!
A waterproof furniture cover will come in handy for these tight spots! These covers are heavy and waterproof, protecting your furniture even if you can’t move it inside. They are also easy to use and store when you don’t need them.
Wipe away humidity
Some climates are more humid than others. As a result, your patio furniture can be constantly exposed to moisture even when it isn’t raining.
In these cases, it’s crucial to clear moisture from your patio furniture when it’s humid. Keep an eye on the weather conditions and wipe off any moisture on your furniture to prevent corrosion.
Keep patio furniture clean
Apart from keeping your furniture dry, keeping it clean and performing regular maintenance will help prevent it from rusting. Chips in the metal surface or coating can also lead to corrosion or create openings for rust to begin forming.
So how do you keep your patio furniture clean?
Wash furniture twice a year
Part of performing regular maintenance on your patio furniture is giving them a good wash! It’s a good idea to wash your patio furniture twice a year, removing any dirt and grime that could be clinging to the metal surface.
Mildew collecting on your metal patio furniture can hold moisture, making it another catalyst for rust to form. Removing it is an essential step in maintaining your furniture in the long run!
Avoid damaging metal coating
Many metal patio furniture sets are coated with other metals or paints that may have waterproof or rust-resistant properties. This is a great innovation, but rust can begin to spread if that coating is scratched.
The best way to prevent this is to maintain your patio furniture properly, and part of that involves being careful when you’re transporting it. Metal can become scratched or chipped when moving patio furniture, especially if chairs are stacked or close together.
Remove rust
If your patio furniture already has some rust on it, it’s not the end of the world! So before you throw it out, try cleaning some of that nasty corrosion off!
You can clean rust from your patio furniture by using abrasive material like steel wool or a wire brush. These materials will clean the rust by removing the corroded layer of metal, exposing the fresh layer beneath.
Once you’ve removed the rust (or as much as possible), protect the exposed metal with a new coat of paint or protective spray.
Apply rust protective coating
A variety of rust-protective and waterproof coatings are on the market just for this purpose! They come in sprays, paints, or pastes that can make your metal furniture water resistant, preventing the formation of rust!
To apply these coatings, make sure your furniture is clean, dry, and dust-free. Once you’ve done that, you can thoroughly apply your chosen coating.
When using a spray coating, be sure to apply it in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors, and let the spray dry completely before handling your furniture. Of course, the same thing goes for paints and waxes!
No matter what type of coating your choose, it’s essential to get into all the nooks and crannies of your patio furniture, ensuring a waterproof seal for excellent rust prevention. Pay extra close attention to corners or textured surfaces!
Even when waterproof or rust protective coating is applied, you’ll still want to undergo regular maintenance for your patio furniture to get the best rust prevention results. So keep up the washing and storage solutions, and you’ll be good to go!
Choose non-corrosive metals
Remember when I said rust results from iron exposed to oxygen and water? Well, what about metals that don’t contain iron?
Sure enough, there are a variety of patio furniture options made of metal that won’t rust. If you’re picky about preventing rust and you have the opportunity to buy a whole new furniture set, go for something that won’t corrode!
Metals like aluminum, stainless steel, copper, brass, and galvanized steel are all corrosion-proof, making them ideal furniture for preventing rust.
Additionally, if you’re concerned about rust in other parts of your backyard (such as appliances, fencing, or garden items), consider these metals as a sturdier option!
Conclusion
Now that you know how to prevent rust on your patio furniture, it’s time to put those tips into practice! By keeping up with regular maintenance and using the right materials, you can keep your outdoor furniture looking great for years to come.
Do you have any questions about preventing rust on your patio furniture? Let me know in the comments below!
Please share this article with anyone who might find it helpful! Thanks for reading!
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