As we enter the last few months of summer in Australia you might notice that your outdoor furniture has taken a bit of a beating in the summer heat. Especially since we tend to use our outdoor setting a lot more during the summer period. Whether it is hot or not, UV rays are always there and just like you put sunscreen to protect yourself, you also need to think about what you can do to protect your furniture.
Why should you protect your furniture against UV damage?
Well quite simply put, to make sure that your furniture keeps looking good and lasts for a long time. If you don’t take some basic steps to protect your furniture against UV damage then you will start to notice your furniture pieces fading.
What are the effects of UV on furniture?
UV rays can alter the colour of your furniture and the reason they can cause fading is because they can break down the bonds in objects, which causes the appearance of bleaching or fading. Furniture is especially susceptible to UV fading, which is why it’s so important to keep it protected.
How to protect your furniture against UV and colour fading?
1. Furniture Cover
The most obvious and cost-effective solution to blocking or keeping out direct sunlight is by covering your outdoor furniture. You should use a high-quality furniture cover which can withstand continuous UV exposure. As stated, before UV breaks down the bonds in objects, so if you have an ineffective furniture cover, when exposed to UV that cover will start to peel or crack and will then become ineffective in protecting your furniture.
Quick tip: Check out our Worth Covering furniture covers. These are designed for the harsh Australian climate and come with a 3 Year UV guarantee.
2. Store Your Furniture Indoors
Probably not as easy to do, but still an effective solution, would be to move your outdoor furniture indoors when you are not using it. This way it will be out of direct sun exposure and will protect your furniture against UV and from fading. This would obviously be a lot harder to do if you have a very heavy outdoor setting, in which case you should look at solution 1.
3. Use Outdoor Furniture Sunblock
Applying UV protectant on your furniture can help prevent colour fading. Remember that UV light is what spurs colour to fade, so make sure your favourite pieces are protected from it. A high-quality UV protectant reflects both the UVB and UVA light emitted by the sun. By blocking these penetrating light rays, it can minimise sun damage to your furniture and keep it from fading.
4. Clean Your Furniture Regularly
Outdoor furniture is more likely to gather dust, pollen, insects, dirt, and other debris over time. This accumulation of debris wears the furniture down and heightens the risk of colour fading. Various types of outdoor furniture can be cleaned using a garden hose. However, if your items are made of delicate fabric and materials, you want to stick to using a rag or soft-bristled brush.
Quick tip: Check out our blog on How To Care For Your Furniture for cleaning tips on various types of furniture pieces.
Check out our full range of furniture covers here!
Looking for outdoor furniture? Check out our Sun Loungers here!