The Outdoor Cedar Bench: Your Hour a Year Maintenance Guide

Having an outdoor cedar bench in your garden or yard can offer every homeowner all sorts of advantages that very few other pieces of outdoor furniture can. Cedar furniture is incredibly beautiful with an amazing depth that few woods can offer as well as an aura that just oozes relaxation. In addition, most cedar furniture can actually ensure that you are doing your bit for the environment. As such, it is an ideal choice for garden furniture these days. However, that is not to say that you will not have to maintain it to keep it in its best possible condition over the years. All outdoor garden furniture should be maintained at least once or twice a year to make sure that it remains in good condition and also that you can make the most of it for years to come.

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So what exactly is involved in maintaining a cedar bench? Believe it or not, there is not all that much to maintaining your bench providing that you get it right first time, every time and schedule regular maintenance sessions once or twice a year. The following steps are literally all there is to the maintenance of the best investment in outdoor furniture you will ever make:

• Cleaning – Before you do anything else, you should take the time to clean your bench from top to bottom. Make sure that you clean inside the slats and struts as well. This is so that you can remove any dirt that may be sitting on the bench and also any critters that may be looking for a home. Although cedar is very resistant to weather, dirt, insects and various other elements that usually result in rotting in other types of wood, if left to sit for an extended period of time, the dirt will become ingrained and the insects will set up home there. As such, cleaning with liquid soap and warm water will do the bench the world of good. You will also need to use a soft cloth and not an abrasive brush if you want to keep your bench in the best condition possible.

• Preservatives – If the weather where you live has a tendency to be damp or changeable then you will need to seal the wood to prevent it from weakening where it meets the ground or touches any other surface. You so not need to treat the whole bench and may not need to treat it at all but keep an open mind.

• Stain and Seal – Finally, you will need to offer your cedar benches a little extra protection when it comes to maintaining it every year. Coating it in a sealant when it is completely dry will help to afford it that little bit extra protection. This only needs to be done once a year but if you want to change the color of the bench then you will need to stain it before you seal it. Follow the instructions on the stain and sealant containers and you will not go far wrong.

Maintenance of cedar benches and other forms of furniture really is that easy so make the most of the opportunity to invest in fantastic outdoor furniture!

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