Western Red Cedar requires very minimal care if allowed to age naturally. Just hand wash it with a mild soap and water a couple of times a year. Also, make sure the hardware is tightened and not rusting. That’s it! You don’t have to take it indoors, put it in storage or anything else. It will age to a beautiful silver gray color with a raised grain.

Western Red Cedar is a soft wood, it is best not to pressure wash it, as this may damage the wood. Some suggest using steel wool or other abrasive for stubborn stains. However, steel wool will leave behind tiny particles that may embed into the furniture and begin to rust. Any abrasive material may damage the wood. Therefore, hand washing with a soft rag or sponge is the best means of washing outdoor furniture. For stubborn stains, check with your local hardware store and make sure they know you are cleaning Cedar outdoor furniture. They can suggest an agent you can use on stubborn stains.

If you want to allow the natural aging process but do not wish to have a raised grain, a wood sealer can be used. If you use a sealer with UV protection, you can protect the tones of your WRC furniture as well. Again, your local hardware store can help you with choosing the appropriate sealer.

If you prefer to keep your garden, patio and outdoor furniture looking as it did when you purchased it, there are several options available. Your local hardware store can also help you with many of these methods. However, keep in mind that it is very important they understand you are working with Cedar outdoor furniture.

• Wood Sealer – wood sealers block the pores of the wood keeping dirt and moisture out. To keep the warm colors of cedar, use a sealer with ultra violet inhibitors. Otherwise, your furniture will turn the silver gray of natural aging but will not have the raised grain. It is the ultra violet rays of the sun that causes the change in color. The wood sealer should be reapplied every year.

• Stain – stain is available in many different colors and with or without UV inhibitors. To keep the natural warm shades of your WRC furniture, two coats of a clear stain with UV inhibitors should be applied annually. Keep in mind that all colors of stain should be considered PERMANENT.

• Oil – Teak or linseed oil is not recommended for Cedar outdoor furniture as the oil will tend to collect dust particles which will stick to the furniture. Also, oil will not keep the WRC from changing to the silver gray color. It will only slow down the natural aging process and repel water.

• Paint – painting WRC outdoor furniture is not recommended. All paint will eventually blister and peel. Paint traps moisture in the wood. If you wish to change the color of your WRC garden, patio and outdoor furniture, consider staining it.

• Preservative Treated – any part of WRC furniture that will be in the ground (i.e. arbor posts, pergola posts, fence posts, landscape ties etc.) needs to be preservative treated.

Whether you let your WRC outdoor furniture age naturally or prefer to keep the warm color and tones at the time of purchases, it will be something you will enjoy with your family and friends for a very long time.

You can find a selection of Western Red Cedar furniture at Outdoor and Patio.

For more information related to Western Red Cedar and Java Plantation Teak deck and patio furniture, care tips and information on the characteristics of these woods and why they are excellent choices for outdoor furniture, please visit http://www.outdoorandpatio.com