Iron furniture have extraordinary durability and strength. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have any disadvantages. Iron furniture is attractive and collects dust as easily as wood or plastic furniture. Rust is the main enemy of iron. Whether the furniture placed indoors or outdoors, the possibility of rusty iron will always be there. Carrying out periodic maintenance of iron furniture helps you avoid damage caused by rust. Here are some things you should note to in maintenance your iron furniture.
Use furniture covers
To avoid weather and rain changes, use protective covers for your iron furniture, especially for outdoor furniture. You can find specific covers to furniture at both online and offline stores. Use a cover made of a breathable material. Do not use plastic cover such as tablecloths or waterproof mat because they trap water, moisture and heat which will actually damage the iron.
Choose safe soaps and cleansers
It is good choice to clean the Iron furniture using a cloth or sponge dampened with a mild soap or non-detergent cleaner. Cloths and sponges are used due to their smooth texture and surface. Don’t use anything abrasive to wipe your iron furniture, as this can caused scratches and nicks. For stubborn dirt, use a window cleaner or non-abrasive all-purpose cleaner.
Read the manual
Always read the manual for use and care instructions whenever you buy new furniture, unless you are buying used furniture. Reading the manual increasingly convinces you how to treat your furniture. Because, sometimes there is also iron furniture with a certain layer of paint or finishing that vulnerable to certain maintenance products. So make sure you really know your furniture materials.
Clean outside when the weather is fine
As you know, iron furniture is very susceptible to temperature and humidity. Cleaning it in sunny and dry weather outside the house. Not during the rainy season. If your iron furniture has upholstery coating, remove all existing padding and lining.
Warm water and soap
Take plenty of warm water, about 18 liters in the tub. Add 3 tablespoons of mild dish soap. Wet and dip a soft cloth or sponge in warm, soapy water. Wipe the cloth and rub the entire surface of the furniture. Always remember to do a light cleaning first. Only buff the surface as needed. Do it again if still needed. If there is still dirt left in areas that cannot reached with a cloth, use old toothbrush to clean these areas. Do not brush too hard to avoid scratching the surface. Keep doing it gradually while occasionally washing with soapy water.
Food stains and heavy dirt should be removed as soon as possible. They can be very damaging and cause permanent staining and corrosion. This should always be remembered in daily use so that you are more careful using it. The next thing you have to do afterwards is rinse the furniture with clean water. If there is still dirt that hasn’t been removed, rinse it while rubbing it with a cloth or sponge.
Don’t forget to dry all your iron furniture parts. Dry the furniture with a clean, dry cloth or rag all over. Don’t leave it in the hot sun, and don’t put damp furniture in the room. Remove any rusty spots or areas with a wire brush until all the rust removed. For more serious cases of rust, you can use baking soda or vinegar.
Spray an anti-rust iron coating, which you can find at a hardware store or online, onto the surface of the furniture. Let the anti-rust coating dry on its own according to the directions on the package. When it’s dry, you can repaint it or leave it like that. Replace the cushions on your furniture if your iron furniture has made of cloth.
–sh
