Winterizing Your Backyard

Before winter finally finds its way, the last warm rays of the sun in autumn should be used to prepare your house and garden for the winter. Even simple external actions can be done to winterize your property, preventing many massive, costly damages that can occur. 

Here are some tips to help winterize the outside of your home and make it ready for a winter wonderland:

-       Give your trees and shrubs a makeover. Turning your backyard into a virtual winterized picture of perfection means that you need to pay attention to your trees and shrubs.

-       Always keep your small pond open throughout the winter. With the colder temperatures approaching fast, it is important to ensure your pond never freezes over, especially if there are fish in the pond. Using an aerator pump will pump air throughout the pond to make sure your fish live. Its main purpose might be to keep your fish alive through air but the bubbles that it produces will ensure that the pond isn’t settled enough to freeze.

-        Make sure your patio furniture is also taken care of for the cold months. If you have patio or any other type of garden furniture, you will know exactly how much maintenance means to the life of your outdoor furniture. Before the cold hits, take everything that is washable and start cleaning as well as making sure that the sun can dry them afterwards. If you have plastic patio furniture, you can just take a power-washer to it. The best way to ensure your furniture lasts is to invest in patio furniture covers, as these will help keep snow and moisture off of the materials.

-       Brightening up the area with potted plants can make a huge difference in the overall look of your patio or yard.

With a few simple steps your backyard can be ready for the cold and ready to make it through to spring with minimal damage. The trick is to get everything done before the cold sets in. Good luck!

Design Ideas for a Kid’s Ottoman

There are literally thousands of designs that are floating around for kids when it comes to furniture and their rooms. A great example is the kid’s ottoman. In fact, designing a child’s piece of furniture is fun and exciting, plus it brings back some great memories. You can pick a piece that will go along with what your child already has. A desk, tables, bed, ottoman cover and beanbag chair can all be designed with fun shapes and colors.

An ottoman, is a perfect way to bring out your child’s inner personality and it will save you some money along the way.

1.   Animal Shaped Ottomans. If your child is an animal lover, this option is a no-brainer. Design an ottoman that looks like their favorite animal.

2.     Star Wars Ottoman. Almost every young boy loves Star Wars these days, so this would be a great time to build a Death Star.

3.     Artistic Ottomans. If your child loves to paint or draw, let them have at it on their own ottoman. In fact, add a chalk board on it so they can draw on it anytime they want.

4.     Girly Ottomans. Plenty of girls love frilly, pink things so this would be a perfect time to pad an ottoman down with tassels or frills and anything else you can think of. You can also put a make-up kit with a mirror in it which could pull out. You could even install a hidden drawer for some clothes as well.

Personalize Your Glider Rocker Chair

Are you in the mood to decorate that old gilder rocker of yours? It may be easier than you think. Unless you are planning to reupholster the whole thing, the process can be as simple as buying new cushions or pillows for the rocker. You can decorate your rocker using your favorite sports team’s colors or you can go all out and use velvet or some other high-end material. In fact, you could mix everything up and make your own thing up but the whole idea is to take your time and do what you want.

Here are some ideas that might help you make up your mind when it comes to making your glider rocker chair truly your own.

1.     Team Colors. This is probably the easiest and the most fun of the decorating ideas. Imagine sitting in your very own “game time” seat every time your team plays. You decorate it the way you want to- the colors, the pillows and even the padding is all up to you! Even a glider cover would go great.
2.     Cushions and pads. This is a very nice way to make a child’s room stand out even more. If you have a glider in your baby’s room (or you want one in there), decorating the cushions and pads with funs things like fire trucks, horses, puppies and frogs will make any child smile.
3.     Decals and detailing. Having a favorite cartoon character or even your favorite sports player on your glider is easy to do and inexpensive as well. In fact, another great idea is getting your child’s name put on the glider because it makes them feel special.
4.     Fabrics. Choosing the right fabric is up to you. Whether you want lace or leather or nice, soft suede, the choice is all yours.

Restore your Chaise Lounge and Patio Chairs with these Easy Tips

 If you are the proud owner of patio furniture or chaise lounge sets, you should be well aware of how to take care of it. It would be a good idea to invest in chaise lounge covers as well, but here are those tips:

Before you start on your task you are going to need some rubber gloves, a wire brush and a scouring pad.

For Aluminum Furniture:

-       Put your gloves on and scrub the furniture with the wire brush to loosen up any rust, if present.  Use the scouring pad on the furniture.
-       Take out the scouring pad and throw some aluminum brightener or kerosene on it and start scrubbing hard to loosen up any dirt or rust.
-       Dry the furniture off.
-       Wax.

Fabric Furniture:

-       Your chaise lounge should be ready to go at this point. Have a bucket of water and detergent ready. The solution shouldn’t be too strong.
-       Make sure that you vacuum the lounge first.
-       Take a cloth or brush and make it wet by dipping it into the soapy water.
-       Start cleaning your chaise lounge.
-       Now rinse it off with a clean, wet cloth and air dry the lounge.

Whitening Furniture

-       Set up a bleach mix by making 1 gallon water, ¾ cup of bleach and 1 tablespoon of detergent into a bucket.
-       Put on your gloves and start applying the mixture.
-       Let it sit for about 10 minutes and then rinse.

Plastic Furniture

-       Wash furniture off using detergent and water. A simple light mix will do.
-       Scrub the furniture down with a firm bristled brush using the soapy water.
-       Rinse off and let it dry outdoors.

Tips For Extending the Lifespan of Your Wicker Patio Furniture

Any kind of wicker furniture looks fantastic but it also requires a certain attention to detail. If you own natural unfinished wicker, then we wouldn’t recommend that you use it outdoors because the elements will strip it down quickly. It doesn’t matter if you have it on a deck or patio either as the sunlight and moisture combined with winds and rain will take their toll and leave your once beautiful furniture in a dead state. Just because you have finished or coated furniture doesn’t necessarily mean that your wicker will stand the test of time. It just means that it will last longer.

If you are looking for the most durable wicker on the market, you want to purchase synthetic wicker. Synthetic wicker requires a lot of extra care but it is well worth it. Here are some hints you should adhere to:

Cleaning Your Outdoor Wicker Furniture

If you own resin wicker, you should have it cleaned often so the grime and dirt that accumulates in the small crevices along the wicker weaves do not deteriorate the furniture. You can clean it with a hose that has a very strong kick to it and try using a multi-purpose cleaner as well but make sure you use it on a place that isn’t visible first so you can check that it doesn’t harm the finish.

Keep Your Natural Wicker Away From the Elements

Natural wicker has a habit of drying out, so make sure you try to keep it out of the sun as much as possible. The sap in the canes will continues to live in the wicker as long as you do this. The sap, however, can rot if it remains too moist for too long, so it needs to be kept out of the rain as well. Natural wicker is one of those types of furniture that has to be cleaned regularly and, if done so, can last for years. But it is advised that wicker furniture is best suited for indoor use.

Indoor Use or Storage

If you can store your outdoor wicker furniture in a shed or garage during winter or off-season, doing so will actually add years to its life. Protecting the furniture with wicker furniture covers is also a great idea but make sure that every piece is dry before you cover it up.

Rejuvenating Outdoor Wicker Furniture

If you keep your outdoor wicker furniture clean from the elements, you can ensure that you have your furniture for plenty of years. Over the course of time, any type of furniture will have its problems. If the piece is soundly made, a coat of paint or dye can refresh the look and give plenty more years of service.

Planning For a Great Outdoor Dinner Party

Hosting an outdoor summer dinner party can be a relaxing, fun event, as long as you plan in advance to make it that way. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the mood for an elegant dinner party or a party that is welcoming to adults and children, the outdoors is the best place for a party in the summer months.  

To make certain you’re not going to be stressed out when it comes time to your party, you will want to take some steps in advance to make certain the party is fun for you as well as your guests.  Preparing cheese, fruit and relish trays or crudités is a great way to offer guests something to nibble on and something you can do a day in advance. If you want to serve warm dishes, these can also be prepared in advance and then heated up the day of the party. The only thing you should worry about that night is cooking up the meats you’ll be serving.

Take time to clean up your yard and arrange the furniture into intimate groupings for the party. If you have table umbrellas, make certain you remove the umbrella covers and air out the umbrellas before the party.

Also take time to clean the furniture a day or so in advance so it has time to dry before your guests arrive. The morning of the party all you will have to do outside is hang the decorations and put the place settings out.

Before your guests arrive you will want to fill the coolers with ice and beverages and arrange them in the party area. Also, check the furniture and yard to make sure it’s still party-ready. Don’t forget to get some garbage cans ready so your guests to toss garbage. Right before the guests come, add ice and beverages to coolers that you can have right outside in the party area.  

As soon as your guests arrive you can rest assured that everything other than the grilling has been taken care of and you can sit and relax and enjoy the festivities. Chances are you will have offers of help to clean up once dinner’s over – accept it – it will help you enjoy the party.

Choosing and Storing Patio Furniture Covers

When you set out to purchase patio furniture covers, keep in mind that selecting an attractive set is only one piece of the puzzle. Covers need to be cleaned regularly, and stored during the winter months. Before you go shopping for patio furniture covers, decide on the price range that is comfortable for you. Just a few minutes of internet research will give you all the data you need to set realistic price points.

Start by asking a few questions. Are you interested in a parasol as well as covers? What kind of cushion filling is best for your arrangement? Knowing that foam fillings are apt to get lots of mildew buildup, it is wise to think about something like polydacron as filler. Looking for patio furniture and patio chair covers is an enjoyable activity, assuming you have some basic facts before you travel to the stores to make a purchase.

It is always a good idea to begin by finding a matching parasol for your set of patio furniture covers. If you can get one now, snap it up, because later on you will have a tough time locating a matching parasol. Since stores rotate patterns and styles, what is available today might not see showroom floors for several more years. If you buy bright covers, you can really spice up a set of dark, wrought iron patio furniture pieces. Don’t forget to put the parasol into an extremely strong container to prevent tip-overs on windy days. If you adhere to your goals of color coordination and quality filling substances, your patio furniture set will be a true backyard gem.

Your shopping trip should include questions about cleaning. Ask the store personnel how easy it is to wipe up spills from each of the fabrics you are looking at. The natural fabrics, like cotton, tend to stain easier, but are also able to withstand stronger cleansers. Artificial fabrics like vinyl cannot withstand powerful cleaners, but allow for easy cleaning at the moment of a spill. When you do use bleach to clean patio furniture covers, mix it with water at about 20-to-1, water to bleach. Warm water and a bit of dish soap will get most stains out of covers if applied soon after a spill. The real secret to keeping the items clean is getting to a spill as soon as it happens. Once a stain sets in, removal is a chore, and even the strongest cleansers will not do the job.

When the weather changes, make sure you store your patio chair covers away from direct sunlight and wrap them in plastic storage material. Don’t put them away until you have cleaned them for the winter. That way, stains won’t set in during the storage period.

Things to Consider Before Buying Patio Furniture

Chances are, you own some patio furniture. And if you own furniture, you know that you have to take care of it in order to keep your furniture looking like new. One of the best ways to do this is to purchase as high a quality furniture as you can, right from the get go.

• Here are a few things to consider when you’re shopping for the furniture that will be gracing your outdoor living area:
• Have your budget in mind when you’re shopping. Purchase furniture as high a quality as you can afford..
• Keep in mind the type of weather your area of the country is faced with. Will you want furniture that can withstand a lot of rain and wind? High sunlight?
• Also look at what kind of wear and tear will your furniture will undergo. Will you be doing a lot of entertaining? Will your children be on and off the furniture regularly?
• Consider protecting your investment as well. Be sure to consider patio furniture covers as you look at sets.
• You’ll also want to know what type of “feel” you want for your backyard. Rustic? Contemporary? Modern? Do you want metal or wood patio furniture? Wicker or plastic framed?
• Look for furniture with sturdy frames that will help you make certain your investment will be with you for many seasons. The cushions you choose for the furniture are usually less expensive to replace and you can also spruce up the look of any furniture by simply slipping on new covers.
• If you have an outdoor living area, chances are you have a barbecue pit or barbecue grill. It’s important to purchase a barbecue grill cover as it will keep your grill from becoming rusted and from being continually exposed to the elements.

Taking care of your patio furniture by using patio furniture covers and periodic cleaning will help your furniture not only be serviceable whenever you need it, but also make your backyard (or front!) look great.

5 Must-Have Pieces of Patio Furniture

Credit: Shutterstock

The point of having patio furniture is to allow you to enjoy the outdoors, and to create a peaceful, comfortable place to unwind. With that point in mind, comfort is key when choosing your new patio furniture. Consider what you will need to entertain guests comfortably out on the patio. For instance, do you plan on having many large parties on your patio, or will its main use be reserved for your family?

With those questions in mind, here are five pieces of patio furniture that will make any patio a better, more comfortable place!

1. Couch or sectional. If you have the space, use it! These pieces will extend the homey feeling out onto your patio while offering guests or family members a comfortable place to sit, and even stretch out if they so desire. Invest in a good quality outdoor couch or sectional and you can preserve it for many years with an outdoor furniture cover. Furthermore, it will stay clean and ready to serve when kept covered up.
2. Umbrellas. Having to option to open an umbrella up and offer shade on a bright, hot, sunny day can make all the difference in your time outside. Umbrellas can also serve to shield you during a light drizzle if you are one who enjoys the rain without becoming soaked.
3. Barbeque grill. While the chef is at work on the barbeque, the rest of the party can enjoy drinks and still converse with the grill master. This will allow for food to be served outdoors right away, while it is juicy and hot and cooked to order. A great barbecue is not cheap, so look for barbeque grill covers to keep yours in tip top shape and protect your investment.
4. Hammock and porch swing. Both will bring a little fun into your patio set. Porch swings are perfect for long talks, watching children play in the yard or rocking a baby to sleep. Hammocks are inviting for a peaceful outdoor catnap or cuddling up with a loved one under the stars. Either piece will give a patio set a bit of originality and undoubtedly house many cherished memories.

Why Choose Metal Patio Furniture

Considering buying patio furniture? Don’t discount metal! Not only is this material versatile but it is also durable, particularly when compared to leaving wood or plastic out in the elements. While patio furniture covers can increase the life span of any type of patio furniture, with metal, you get the unique combination of strength and portability in one package. Aluminum, in particular, is both durable and light enough to only need one person to rearrange the furniture.

Nothing compares to metal when it comes to holding up against the elements. No matter whether it’s wrought iron or aluminum, metal patio furniture is among the most durable of all accessories you can purchase for your home. Metal frames are also corrosion proof, so cleaning is easy. All you need to do is hose the furniture off and cover to protect it from additional dirt.

While steel and wrought iron options are not as light as aluminum, they do provide incredible durability. And don’t worry about color – even painted black metal can be spruced up with extremely colorful cushions and coverings. Whatever your taste, add a bit of accented hue to the backyard area with an array of color choices. There is no limit to the creative horizons.

Any garden can become a showplace with the addition of chairs, tables, umbrellas, fire pits, or just plain benches. The reasonable prices and wide availability of attractive metal garden furniture makes it a perfect choice for homeowners who value aesthetics and budget. And with patio furniture covers, you can protect your investment for years to come.

Cleaning Wood Patio Furniture

Consumers who care about value and economical living should seriously consider cleaning their wooden patio furniture rather than replacing it. Of course, if the cleaning job does not suffice, then perhaps you should consider buying new items. But be sure to try cleaning first, and you may find that you can save hundreds of dollars simply by doing a bit of scrubbing for a short period of time. If done properly, the cleaning job will have your old patio furniture looking fresh again.

1. Start the process with a dry brush, removing all the dust and dirt that has built up over the season. In addition, do not forget those cobwebs and scratches! If some of the dents or scrapes are deep, or especially disfiguring, take a bit of sandpaper and remove them.
2. Hose the furniture down. See to it that you remove any soil or grime that was left from the first step by using a good amount of water pressure.
3. Now you will need a clean cloth soaked in soapy water for the most important part of the cleaning regimen. Physically scrub off any remaining dirt, dust, or mold. In the case of mold, you might have to add a bit of bleach to some water and use a brush, making certain to rinse off the bleach solution after doing so.
4. Do a final rinse with the hose. You might want to use the pressure nozzle again, but don’t get too enthusiastic or you will damage the furniture. At this stage, you are both rinsing off the soap and blasting away any remaining dirt.
5. Wipe all surfaces down with a clean, dry, soft cloth. 
6. Put the furniture in the open air to finish drying. This last step also allows any bleach odor to evaporate.
7. Finally, you can add oil or a stain to the furniture to ready it for the next season.

For the future, patio furniture covers and patio chair covers are a good choice for those who care about the long-term health and durability of their garden furniture. Besides protecting them from the elements, the covers add a sense of style to your yard and can help reduce the amount of deep cleaning needed for your furniture.

About PatioFurnitureCovers.com

PatioFurnitureCovers.com manufactures high quality patio furniture covers. If you are looking for a long lasting, durable patio furniture cover, then look no further. We have been manufacturing patio furniture covers for over 10 years and pride ourselves in bringing the highest quality products to the marketplace. We sell and discount patio furniture covers to the end user. Our patio furniture covers are heavyweight and keep your outdoor furniture looking beautiful longer while cutting down on day-to-day cleaning. Crafted of a unique, high quality, fleece-backed vinyl, these reinforced outdoor patio furniture covers are made to last through years of wind, rain and snow.

Our covers are also covered by a 3 year, manufacturer's prorated warranty. This warranty ensures that each new product is free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of three years from the purchase date. We ship to the continental United States and are good for both outdoor and indoor use. Pay online with our easy, secure system and protect your furniture today.