Outer Care & Maintenance

Overview

Designing for the outdoors is tough. Products are exposed to sunlight, rain, freeze/thaw cycles, bird droppings, tree sap, dirt, leaves and the occasional spilled food or drink. With this in mind, we've spent countless hours researching what makes the highest quality outdoor furniture in the world and used the latest advancements in materials technology to provide you with a superior product. However, no product is foolproof. Here are general tips for cleaning and maintenance to prolong the life of your investment.

Cushion Fabric & OuterShell®

Our patented OuterShell® provides light-duty protection from the elements and doubles as an easy way to transport the cushions when storing (like an oversized briefcase). The OuterShell zips to the back of the seat cushion and can be easily attached and removed for cleaning.

Try to keep the fabrics dry

The OuterShell® was designed to protect against morning dew, dirt, and light to medium rain. If you're facing several days of rain, it is best to bring the cushions indoors. To make things even easier, the OuterShell has a grab and go handle to easily transport your cushions to a protected location. For transport, simply cover your cushions with the OuterShell, tuck the end under the bottom of your cushion and stick it to the velcro underneath. After a rainstorm, uncover your cushions and turn them up on their side to provide enough air circulation to dry properly.

Cushion Fabric & OuterShell® care and cleaning

Routine care and maintenance are important to the life of all fabrics. Clean fabrics at the beginning of the season, at the end of the season, and after parties. Clean stains immediately. We recommend that you first spray off the stain with a garden hose which oftentimes will completely remove a fresh stain. Watch our Co-Founder and Chief Design Officer, Terry, cleaning mustard, ketchup, and BBQ sauce off his cream cushion covers here.

For tougher stains. If spraying off the stain with your hose doesn't completely remove the stain, our suggested next step is to add 1/4 cup of mild soap or gentle detergent to 4.5 litres of lukewarm water. Clean the fabrics with a soft bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and air dry.

For stubborn stains. Combine no more than 1 cup (250 ml) of bleach with 4.5 litres of water and add to a spray bottle. Spray lightly on the fabric, while making sure to not fully soak the fabric. Prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals can damage the water ­repellent coating (DWR) and weaken the fibres of the fabric. Rinse immediately. Do not leave bleach solution on the fabric for more than 2 minutes. Cleaning with harsh cleaners such as bleach will require retreatment with a fabric guard to restore water repellency. For product recommendations, contact ordersau@liveouter.com.

Machine washing

The OuterShell® contains an aluminium rod for strength and can not be cleaned in a washing machine. Please remove the OuterShell® from your cushion fabric before washing. The cushion covers are machine washable on gentle cycle, in cold water, with mild detergent. DO NOT PLACE IN DRYER. Allow your cushion covers to hang dry. It is recommended to replace the velcro strips that originally shipped with your cushions before machine washing to avoid fabric pilling.

Storage

A moist environment creates ideal conditions for mould and mildew growth. If possible, keep cushions or pillows under an umbrella, awning, or pergola. If possible, it’s a good idea to store your furniture at the end of the season. If you’re unable to store your furniture, make sure you buy covers that are designed to stand up to the rigors of the elements, which is especially vital if you live in a geographic location that receives a lot of rain. The Outer All-Weather Cover was developed & tailored exclusively for the Outer Sofa to offer complete protection from the elements.

Sofa Frames and Tables

Wicker sofa care

Start by removing leaves and other debris trapped between wicker strands with a vacuum cleaner or soft bristle brush. Wipe off any loose accumulated dirt with a cloth. Hose off the frame with a spray hose on a medium setting to loosen dirt and dust.

The same cleaning formula used on your fabrics can also be used to clean the all-weather wicker. (1/4 cup of mild soap or gentle detergent, to 4.5 litres of lukewarm water)

Clean the wicker with a soft bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly with a spray hose and let the frame and wicker air dry before storing it or putting it back in use. If possible, let it dry in filtered sunlight or partial shade rather than intense sun.

Warning: Bleach and abrasive cleaners can permanently damage the all-weather wicker leading to chronic dirt accumulation.*

Teak sofa and table care

Teak contains natural oils that protect it from rot, and that's an important reason why craftspeople use it to make boat decks and outdoor furniture. Cleaning teak patio furniture is relatively simple, and most routines only require a mild detergent and water mix along with a bristled brush to keep your items looking great.

When you receive your teak furniture, wipe down all surfaces of the teak, including underneath the frame or table, with soapy water prior to placing the new cushions on top. This will help prevent natural teak oil from staining the cushion fabric. To clean natural teak oil from cushion fabric, quickly combine equal parts dishwashing liquid and warm water on the stain and rinse thoroughly.

It's a good idea to give teak a light cleaning at the end of the season, but no regular maintenance routine is required. If left unmaintained, teak will naturally develop an attractive silver-gray patina.

You can use a teak cleaner for deeper cleaning or to restore the colour back to the original golden tone. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer for best practices.

To finish, you can apply teak oil to your furniture which helps keep the grain from cracking and give the material a nice sheen.

For the Teak Coffee Table with Concrete Inlay, simply clean spills with a clean, dry cloth and avoid harsh cleaners and abrasives.

Aluminium sofa care

Hose off the frame with a spray hose on a medium setting to loosen dirt and dust. The same cleaning formula used on your fabrics can also be used to clean the aluminium. (1/4 cup of mild soap or gentle detergent, to 4.5 litres of lukewarm water). Clean the aluminium with a soft bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly with a spray hose and let the frame air dry before storing it or putting it back in use. If possible, let it dry in filtered sunlight or partial shade rather than intense sun.

Rugs

Although indoor/outdoor rugs are totally synthetic and mould can’t grow on its fibres, mould can grow on the soil and moisture trapped inside of the rug. To keep your all-weather rug looking its best, try to occasionally vacuum it to keep dirt from settling deep beneath the fibres.

To clean a fresh spill, remove any excess debris or liquid that’s on top of the rug, and then blot the area repeatedly with a soft, dry cloth. Do not rub the spot.

If necessary, use a mild detergent, water, and a soft brush to remove any residue that is left. Then, blot until it’s almost dry. Use a hose to thoroughly rinse it, and allow it to dry outdoors.

Bug Shield Blankets

Our Bug Shield Blanket is machine washable and can be cleaned with a mild detergent in warm water on the gentle cycle. We recommend washing separately from other items.

We do not recommend dry cleaning this product.

Please do not retreat the blanket with other permethrin insect repellent products.

Dining Tables and Director's Chairs

Teak & Aluminium Dining Table

For the teak tabletop

Clean the teak sections of the furniture using a mild detergent and water and a soft bristled brush. Avoid harsh cleaners and abrasives.

Over time your teak furniture will fade from the original golden colour to a distinct silver gray finish. The colour change is purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect the strength or durability of your furniture.

For a deeper cleaning or to restore the colour back to its original golden tone, use a teak cleaner and follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. To finish, apply teak oil, which helps keep the grain from cracking and gives the material an attractive sheen.

For the aluminium frame

Spray down the aluminium parts with a garden hose to remove loose dirt, leaves and debris. Avoid pressure washers as these can damage the powder-coated finish.

For tougher stains, spot clean using a solution of mild detergent and warm water, rinse with clean water, and allow to completely dry before using.

Teak Director's Chairs

Avoid harsh cleaners and abrasives. Use a mix of mild detergent and water, along with a soft bristled brush to keep your items looking great.

Over time your teak furniture will fade from the original golden colour to a distinct silver grey finish. The colour change is purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect the strength or durability of your furniture.

For a deeper cleaning or to restore the teak back to its original golden tone, use a teak cleaner and follow the manufacturer's instructions. To finish, apply teak oil, which helps keep the grain from cracking and gives the material a nice sheen.

The seat and back fabric can be spot cleaned using a mild detergent and water mix.

Store indoors during the off-season. Make sure furniture is completely dry before storing.