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Household Hacks & Outdoor · Jul 05, 2022 edition

Four Ways to Revive Winter-Weary Patio Furniture

From the Genius House Hacks archive.

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Have you pulled your summer outdoor furniture out of storage yet? A few simple tips and tricks will take your backyard furniture from winter-weary to ready-to-lounge with a minimum of cost and effort.

Revive Wood and Wicker With Coconut Oil

After a long winter, wood and wicker furniture can look dried out. Sprinkle some coconut oil on a clean cloth and rub it onto the furniture, let it sit for 15 minutes, then give it a quick buff. The oil moisturizes while its antibacterial properties help clean and deodorize.

Renew Your Umbrella With Tea Tree Oil

Even a mildew-resistant patio umbrella can succumb to mustiness. Mix 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of white vinegar, and 20 drops of tea tree oil, and spritz the umbrella liberally — the vinegar and tea tree oil attack the mold and mildew that build up in the folds. Rinse with your garden hose after a few minutes and let dry.

Remove Rust With a Cream of Tartar Paste

If your metal table and chairs are starting to look rusty, the fix is probably already in your pantry. Make a paste from equal parts cream of tartar and lemon juice — the combination creates a chemical reaction that breaks down rust. Apply, let sit a few minutes, then wipe off.

Brighten Plastic Furniture With Baking-Soda Toothpaste

Good old-fashioned toothpaste works magic on plastic furniture. Look for a paste that includes baking soda, which makes it mildly abrasive and helps it gently scrub away dirt and grime without damaging the surface. Use a clean rag to buff it in, then rinse with your garden hose.

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