Furniture Care: Caring for your Outdoor Furniture

From small balconies to lush gardens and those spaces that blur the outside with the inside, our outdoor range will meet your needs. Depending on what you choose, you will need to care for it differently. Care information is available with the item but below is a breakdown of the three main categories.

Occasional Outdoor Use or Undercover

This refers to outdoor furniture that isn’t designed for permanent outdoor use. It is recommended for use in outdoor covered areas only. These items are normally made from painted wood, canvas and treated steel. Prolonged exposure will cause these items to degrade. However they are normally designed to be folded for easy storage.

• To prolong the products life span, store in a dry location or use an outdoor cover when not in use or during periods of inclement weather.
• Be careful not to fold furniture, like directors chairs, when they’re wet as they will get mouldy.
• For unpainted timber products Freedom has a Timber Product Protection Warranty that will help to clean and protect. For painted timber products, wipe clean with a damp cloth.
• It is not recommended leaving products uncovered in direct sunlight for extended periods of time as direct sunlight may heat the surface and cause warping or splitting.
• Expansion and contraction of timbers will occur with changes in humidity and temperature. This can cause timber to split which a natural occurrence and not considered a fault.
• Continual exposure to environments near the coast can cause corrosion to metal components.

Full Outdoor Use

We test all our outdoor ranges to ensure that they’re durable and can withstand the elements. These items are made from durable timbers like teak and eucalyptus, rust resistant aluminium, advanced fabrics and special foams that dry quickly. With minor care, these items do not have to be kept undercover but you can prolong them by storing in a dry location or use an outdoor cover when not in use or during periods of inclement weather.

• Furniture made with polyester, man-made wickers and aluminium can be simply washed down with warm soapy water and left to dry naturally. This should be done on a regular basis. If debris gets caught in the weave, use a portable vacuum with an appropriate brush to remove.
• Expansion and contraction of timbers will occur with changes in humidity and temperature. This can cause timber to split which is natural and not considered a fault. Over time, all wooden furniture will naturally change to a grey colour when left exposed to the elements.
• For timber we recommend purchasing Freedom's Outdoor Product Protection Warranty to maintain and effectively remove grime and build up, while nourishing timber and concealing the appearance of fine surface scratches. It is formulated for use on finished, sealed wood and designed for outdoor use. This care kit helps to nourish and protect the timber finish, assists in UV protection and waterproofing of the timber surface, and helps prevent timber from discolouring, drying and ageing. The products are safe and easy to use and require no mixing or dilution required prior to application.

Full Outdoor Use - Remove Cushions When Not In Use

This refers to sofas and pieces where the furniture can be kept outdoors. Take care to remove cushions and store inside or in a dry area when not in use. Please read the care label for more information.

• Furniture made with polyester, man-made wickers and aluminium can be simply washed down with warm soapy water and left to dry naturally. Do this at least twice a year. If debris gets caught in the weave, use a portable vacuum with an appropriate brush to remove.
• To prolong the products life span, store in a dry location when not in use or during periods of inclement weather.
• Expansion and contraction of timbers will occur with changes in humidity and temperature. This can cause timber to split which is natural and not considered a fault. Over time, all wooden furniture will naturally change to a grey colour when left exposed to the elements.
• For timber we recommend Freedom's Outdoor Product Protection Warranty to maintain and effectively remove grime and build up, while nourishing timber and concealing the appearance of fine surface scratches. It is formulated for use on finished, sealed wood and designed for outdoor use. This care kit helps to nourish and protect the timber finish, assists in UV protection and waterproofing of the timber surface, and helps prevent timber from discolouring, drying and ageing. The products are safe and easy to use and require no mixing or dilution required prior to application.