If you are looking for a weather resistant, durable outdoor furniture, teak outdoor furniture might be just what you need. It’s natural wood look makes it a perfect accessory to any outdoor room and it’s relatively easy care/cleaning needs make it perfect for families who don’t have a lot of extra time to worry about cleaning their outdoor furniture.

Teak comes from South East Asia and is a hardwood tree. It is a dense wood that contains a high oil content which contributes to its durability. It is best known for its use as trim and decking on boats, but it makes an awesome material for outdoor furniture as it is able to withstand the elements.

Some people choose to treat their teak furniture with oil, wax or lacquer. Other people choose to let their teak furniture weather and turn to a silver grey, which is its natural state when it is not treated. Either way is a personal preference.

If you choose to treat your teak with oils, you can use teak oil. Treating your teak furniture does not make it last longer. It is more making the furniture appear like a brand new piece of teak furniture than anything else. Teak oil should be applied at least once a year in order to maintain the “new” appearance. Many people recommend that you begin treating your furniture after a few years to prevent cracks from forming.

Before you apply oil, you need to clean the furniture with soap or water. Teak oil should never be applied over dirt or dust. Once the furniture is completely dry, you should apply a light coat of oil. Using a soft cloth is best, but a soft brush can be used as well. Wipe off all excess oil. Be sure to soak the rag or brush in water afterwards as it can pose a fire hazard otherwise.

Teak furniture that is allowed to weather naturally should be cleaned every year. Use soap and water and apply it with a soft rag. Be sure to rinse the furniture completely after washing it. You can also clean it with a pressure washer, provided that you don’t use it at full pressure since that can cause damage to the furniture. In addition, teak furniture that has already been treated requires washing as needed.

It is hard to beat the durability and easy maintenance of teakwood furniture. A few hours each year is all that is required for its upkeep, which is definitely a plus since we want to spend our time outside relaxing on our furniture, not cleaning it. This feature alone makes teak furniture perfect for anyone who loves to relax in the outdoors.

I enjoy writing and creating websites. For more of my websites please visit my embroiderydesigns, archetectural house plans and enciclopedia websites.

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Who wants to throw good money away when it comes time for buying furniture? I know that my family and friends sure don’t, and I’m going to assume that you don’t either. We all enjoy finding good deals and getting discounts. Furniture is no different.

Perhaps you’ve been considering buying new furniture for your home or apartment, but the high costs scare you away. Have you thought of buying it used? You can find some great deals on good used sofas, couches, recliners, chairs, sectionals and much more. I’m not talking about the kind of furniture that you might see kicked to the curb in your neighborhood either.

Buying good used furniture makes economic sense for many people. And so what if it has a stain on it. You can simply put on a new slip cover over it. Take a couch for example that has just a little wear and tear to the cushions. You can put on a couch slip cover and make it look nearly brand new.

Even if it has a small tear or rip, a couch slip cover can go over it and give the couch years of life in the future. I’ve seen people get rid of expensive brand name furniture just because of a small tear or a stain. Something that was only needing a minor repair. Slip covers provide a simple inexpensive solution to bringing the furniture back to life again.

One of the finest slip covers you can purchase for any type of furniture, from ottomans to sectionals, is Surefit Slip Covers. You can do a search online and find exactly what you’re looking for.

Don’t feel you need to get rid of your old favorite chair either. Maybe you have a recliner that you love, but the fabric is getting worn or it has some stains that won’t come out, but it still works fine. Put a slip cover on it and make it look new again.

If you’re looking to save money on furniture by buying it used, make it look new by putting on a new slip cover.

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The best thing about old furniture is the new life you can give it. It doesn’t take much talent - just a little creativity and patience if you’ve never taken on a furniture project before.

Accept this challenge: instead of throwing out that old chest of drawers from your child’s room, think of a new use for it. Recycling furniture can be a lot of fun, plus it’s a good way to get a new look at a fraction of the cost. If you are not happy with the finished product, start over or then give in to purchase a new furniture piece.

Think about that old chest of drawers. Is there a drawer that’s broken? Maybe you can take out that drawer and create a shelf from the opening. Would it make a nice TV stand if it was just a little taller? Consider screwing finials that you can find in your local discount store onto the bottom to create “legs” or “feet.”

And never underestimate the power of a coat of paint! Old furniture gets a quick update when painted. If you like the shabby chic look, tatter the fresh paint job a bit by sanding around corners and other heavy use areas to create a worn look. If it’s your first time to try this furniture painting technique, invest in an inexpensive kit that can be found at any retail discount store.

If you are really creative and not afraid to try new things with your old furniture, you can create some funky new accessories for your home. Use an old dresser as a sink basin for your bathroom. Use the headboard or footboard from a twin size bed as the back of a bench.

Giving your old furniture a new look does not always include creating a new function for it. For instance, drape and tuck fabric over an old sofa or love seat to give it a “slipcovered” look. Or, hot glue some fabric on top of the old rattan panels on the coffee table you’ve had for years. Trim it out by hot gluing some braided trim around the edges and you’ve created a new look for the table.

If your piece of furniture was painted but you’d like to give it a stained look, give it a try. Most woods are easily stripped of paint and stain can be applied in the color and intensity of your choice. Just follow the directions supplied by the stain manufacturer.

Give the lacquer-look furniture popular in past years an up to date look by using a combination of painting and staining. To get a brown leather look, brush your lacquer furniture lightly first with sand paper just enough to rough up the surface so the paint will adhere better. Then, use a red primer color spray paint on the furniture. Once the primer dries, use an oil-based brown stain and a plastic bag to create the leathery look. Working with a small area at a time, use a sponge “brush” to paint on the stain. Crinkle a plastic bag and open it up. Press the crinkled bag on top of the stain and sweep the bag quickly off the furniture. The motion will pull the stain around, creating the lines associated with leather. Kits are also available for this technique.

Bob Benson is the founder of Furniture online. You can check out our website at http://www.my-rustic-furniture.info

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