Cleaning Tips for Cedar Furniture

Cleaning the outdoor furniture is quite difficult than indoor furniture, simply due to the fact that they have to sustain the unkind outside environment. Therefore, they are more at risk to dirt, dust, stains and other elements. One major concern of many individuals on the outdoor furniture is, as they develop into different types of weather. The answer to maintain the negative climate is a natural protection against rot and decay in woods like cedar and teak.

What is Cedar wood? Cedar is not only a beautiful wood but it is one of the most durable and stable woods. It is rot, termite and decay resistant. It does not warp, shrink or expand. Aesthetically and functionally, it is ideally suited for structural and decorative exterior uses. Cedar is a top choice for carefree living and cedar outdoor furniture can be left natural or it can be painted or stained to match any decor. Untreated cedar is natural and lovely; however, the wood is porous and over the long term may become discolored if left in damp. Above all these, Cedar lasts for years, even outdoors, particularly when used for patio furniture.

The two enemies of any wood are weathering and decaying. And, preventing these is preserving wood, regardless of the type of wood. With proper prevention, you will not have to worry about repair.

While you may consider weathering, one kind of this occurs in cedar. And this weathering can be classified as cedar stain. If you can notice any discoloration or spots, the wood certainly have cedar stain. The presence of organisms (e.g., mildew, algae, moss) is also considered cedar stain. A properly prepared and sealed cedar will not change colors. Luckily, anything that causes cedar to change colors can be easily prevented. Because of cedar's composition and inherent strength, the changes caused by cedar stain are usually cosmetic. You can repair the damage and restore the cedar into its original beauty with the help of some chemicals.

The naturally protective oils found in cedar explain for its durability. These same oils, however, can cause extractive bleeding, one form of cedar stain. Cedar contains naturally occurring chemicals, called extractive chemicals, which make it weather resistant and add to its durability. These chemicals are water-soluble; they dissolve in water. When the oils break down and dissolve, they leave a discernible stain.

Paint or stain help preserve the wood from cedar stain. Opaque paint can completely block the UV rays from reaching the wood; stains are slightly less effective, but allow the natural beauty of wood to remain visible. Properly sealed and finished wood also slows down organism growth.

Whether you stain or paint the cedar, the key to avoiding cedar stain is preparing dry cedar before applying the stain or paint to the wood. This decreases the wood's exposure to the elements. If you paint cedar, prime the wood before painting. The primer acts as a sealer. Seal cedar before applying a stain.

Extractive oils, in combination with UV rays, create a dual problem. UV rays react with the extractive oils once they surface and cause polymerization, a process in which several small molecules combine to create a larger molecule. If you notice a stain around a nail head, the extractive chemicals have interacted with the iron in the nail to form the stain. To prevent this type of staining, use galvanized or steel nails. Finish the wood as soon as possible after installation. In addition to ensuring that the wood is completely dry, be sure to seal the wood on a day with low humidity.

Summarizing the steps of repairing/cleaning/adding finish to Cedar wood, here are the following:

Repairing Cedar Stain
Repairing cedar stain requires a three-step approach.
1. Clean the affected area, and allow the cedar to dry completely before proceeding.
2. Seal or prime the cedar as soon as possible after it dries.
3. Apply stain or paint to the cedar.

Cleaning Cedar Stain
1. Remove any finish—paint or stain.
2. In a plastic bucket, add 1 cup of trisodium phosphate and 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water.
3. Wash the affected area, rinse, and allow the wood to dry thoroughly.
4. In a plastic bucket, create a new mixture: add 4 ounces of oxalic acid crystals to 1 gallon of warm water.
5. Wash the affected area and allow the mixture to dry on the wood.
6. Rinse thoroughly with water, and allow the wood to dry completely before applying a sealer or primer.

Priming the Cedar
Now that you've restored the cedar to its natural state, it's time to add an ounce of prevention to eliminate the possibility of any future cedar stain. This is the most important step in preventing cedar stain on new or restored cedar. Apply a paint primer or sealer appropriate for cedar, and allow it to dry before adding the final finish. You may want to apply two coats to the cut ends.


Adding a Finish to Cedar
Three types of finishes are appropriate for cedar:
• Transparent stains that allow natural color and texture to remain visible
• Semi-transparent stains, sometimes called semi-solid stains
• Solid stains
• Opaque paint

Apply one or more coats of the finish of your choice, allowing the finish to dry between coats. Select a water-repellant finish or add a coat of clear water repellant after the finish has dried. Ask for help at a local building center to determine the best finish for your wood.