Australia's climate presents unique challenges for outdoor furniture. Intense UV radiation, sudden storms, high humidity in coastal areas, and extreme temperature variations all take their toll on materials left exposed. With proper care, however, quality outdoor side tables can provide years of service. This guide covers maintenance strategies for common outdoor furniture materials in Australian conditions.
Understanding Australian Outdoor Challenges
Before diving into specific materials, it's worth understanding the environmental factors that affect outdoor furniture across Australia.
UV Radiation
Australia experiences some of the world's highest UV levels. This intense radiation degrades many materials over time—fading colours, degrading plastics, and breaking down protective finishes. North-facing outdoor areas receive the most UV exposure in the southern hemisphere.
Moisture and Humidity
Coastal areas and tropical regions experience high humidity that promotes mould, mildew, and rust. Even in drier areas, furniture endures morning dew, afternoon storms, and seasonal rain. Materials must either resist moisture penetration or dry quickly after wetting.
Temperature Extremes
Australian summers bring extreme heat—metal furniture can become too hot to touch, and some materials expand significantly. Winter nights, particularly inland, bring frost in some regions. These temperature cycles stress materials and joints.
Regional Considerations
- Coastal: Salt spray, high humidity, rust concerns
- Tropical: Heavy rain, persistent humidity, mould risk
- Desert/inland: Extreme UV, temperature swings, low humidity
- Southern: Mild UV but frost, consistent moisture
Caring for Teak Outdoor Furniture
Teak is widely considered the premium choice for outdoor furniture due to its natural oil content and resistance to decay. However, teak care generates debate—should you maintain the original golden colour or allow the natural silver-grey patina to develop?
Allowing Natural Patina
Left untreated, teak weathers to a distinctive silver-grey colour. This is a surface change only—the timber remains structurally sound. Many people prefer this weathered look, which requires no active maintenance beyond occasional cleaning. Simply wash with soapy water and a soft brush to remove accumulated grime and prevent mould.
Maintaining Golden Colour
If you prefer teak's original golden-honey colour, regular treatment is required. Apply teak oil or teak sealer every few months during warm seasons—frequency depends on your climate and sun exposure. Before treatment, clean the furniture and allow it to dry completely. Some products require sanding between applications for best results.
Note that teak oil feeds the timber but doesn't prevent weathering indefinitely; you're committing to ongoing maintenance. Teak sealers create a surface barrier that lasts longer between applications but may require more thorough preparation when renewing.
Dealing with Grey Teak
If you've let teak weather but now want to restore golden colour, teak cleaners and brighteners remove the grey surface layer. This involves significant work—cleaning, treating, and finishing—but can restore the original appearance. The timber then requires ongoing maintenance to prevent re-greying.
Aluminium Furniture Care
Aluminium is among the most practical outdoor furniture materials for Australian conditions. It doesn't rust, resists UV damage, and is lightweight enough to move easily. Maintenance requirements are minimal.
Routine Cleaning
Most aluminium outdoor furniture simply needs regular washing with soapy water. A soft cloth or sponge removes dirt, pollen, and bird droppings that might accumulate. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry. This basic cleaning every few weeks, or after storms, keeps aluminium looking good.
Powder-Coated Finishes
Most aluminium furniture features powder-coated colour finishes rather than bare metal. Quality powder coating is extremely durable, but avoid abrasive cleaners that might scratch or dull the surface. If scratches do occur, touch-up paints designed for powder coating can repair minor damage before corrosion starts.
Aluminium Maintenance Tip
In coastal areas, aluminium benefits from more frequent rinsing to remove salt deposits. Salt doesn't cause the dramatic corrosion it does with steel, but accumulated salt can affect powder-coated finishes over time.
Synthetic Wicker and Rattan
Synthetic wicker (often called PE rattan or resin wicker) is designed specifically for outdoor use. It resists moisture, UV degradation, and temperature extremes better than natural rattan, making it popular for Australian outdoor furniture.
Cleaning Synthetic Wicker
Clean synthetic wicker with soapy water and a soft brush, working the bristles into the weave to remove debris from crevices. Rinse thoroughly. For stubborn dirt, a pressure washer on a gentle setting can be effective, but avoid high pressure that might damage the weave.
Allow synthetic wicker to dry completely after washing—while the material itself resists moisture, aluminium frames underneath may retain water if not dried, and accumulated moisture promotes mould growth in crevices.
UV Protection
Quality synthetic wicker includes UV stabilisers that prevent colour fading. However, extended direct sun exposure will eventually affect any material. Where possible, position synthetic wicker furniture in partially shaded areas, or use it under a pergola or umbrella.
Caring for Steel Outdoor Furniture
Steel provides strength and allows slim, elegant furniture designs. However, steel's susceptibility to rust makes it more demanding than aluminium in outdoor applications, particularly in humid or coastal areas.
Preventing Rust
Prevention is far easier than rust treatment. Inspect steel furniture regularly for chips or scratches in protective coatings. Touch up any exposed metal promptly using appropriate paint or rust-inhibiting primer. Keep steel furniture dry when possible—avoid leaving it in standing water or under dripping plants.
Treating Rust
If rust develops, address it promptly before it spreads. For surface rust, scrub with a wire brush, sand if necessary to reach clean metal, apply rust converter, and repaint. Advanced rust that has pitted the metal is harder to reverse—heavily rusted furniture may be beyond practical restoration.
Galvanised and Stainless Steel
Galvanised steel has a zinc coating that provides better rust resistance than painted steel. Stainless steel resists rust through its composition. Both require less intensive maintenance than standard steel, though neither is entirely maintenance-free in harsh Australian conditions.
Concrete and Stone
Concrete and stone side tables are gaining popularity for outdoor use. These materials are inherently weather-resistant but have specific care requirements.
Sealing
Unsealed concrete and natural stone are porous and will absorb stains. Sealing provides a protective barrier against spills, rain, and grime. Reapply sealer according to manufacturer recommendations—typically annually for outdoor pieces receiving heavy weather exposure.
Cleaning
Clean sealed concrete and stone with mild soap and water. Avoid acidic cleaners that can damage both sealers and some stone types. For stubborn stains, specialised stone cleaners are available. Pressure washing works well for concrete but should be used cautiously on more delicate natural stones.
Material-by-Material Quick Guide
- Teak: Wash regularly, oil/seal if maintaining colour
- Aluminium: Wash with soapy water, rinse salt regularly
- Synthetic wicker: Brush clean, rinse, dry completely
- Steel: Inspect for chips, touch up promptly, keep dry
- Concrete/stone: Seal annually, clean with mild soap
Protective Covers and Storage
Using Furniture Covers
Fitted furniture covers protect outdoor pieces from rain, sun, and debris when not in use. Quality covers are waterproof but breathable—fully sealed covers trap moisture and promote mould. Covers also reduce UV exposure, extending the life of all materials.
Covers are particularly valuable during extended periods of non-use, such as winter months for those who don't use outdoor areas year-round. Even weather-resistant materials benefit from reduced exposure.
Seasonal Storage
If you have storage space, bringing outdoor furniture inside during off-seasons significantly extends its lifespan. A garage, shed, or under-house area provides protection from the elements. Ensure furniture is completely dry before storing to prevent mould development.
Strategic Placement
Where you position furniture outdoors affects its maintenance requirements. Covered areas like verandahs and pergolas reduce direct sun and rain exposure. North-facing areas (in the southern hemisphere) receive maximum sun. Positions near sprinklers or under dripping trees increase moisture exposure.
Regular Maintenance Schedules
Establishing a maintenance routine prevents small issues from becoming major problems. Consider these timeframes as starting points, adjusting based on your specific conditions and materials:
Weekly: Quick visual inspection, wipe down surfaces used regularly.
Monthly: Thorough cleaning with appropriate products for each material.
Seasonally: Deep clean, check for damage or wear, apply protective treatments as needed.
Annually: Comprehensive inspection, address any repairs, reseal or re-oil timber, check hardware tightness.