All materials age
Wood is a living material that continues to age and change with the right care and attention. Oak and pine darken over time, developing a deeper hue. Untreated teak develops a grey patina. Bases transition from a shiny to a matt finish. However, you too can have an impact on the appearance in a number of ways, not least depending on how you use and care for your furniture.
Wipe down and clean regularly
A piece of furniture from Grythyttan does not require much care and attention but be sure to wipe it down regularly and to keep it clean. Before storing your furniture for the winter, we recommend that you clean it thoroughly. Use a mild soap solution and finish with a clean, dry cloth. Make sure the furniture is completely dry before storing it or covering it with a tarpaulin. If you take care of your furniture in the autumn, it will keep better and be easier to set out come spring when the sun returns. To prevent wooden surfaces from drying out and cracking, which will allow moisture to penetrate them, we recommend that you re-finish your furniture now and then, once or twice a year, say. Hot-galvanized bases have a mottled finish that can change in colour and appearance. However, such variations even out over time. The only form of maintenance you need to consider is normal cleaning. Small knocks will heal themselves as galvanic currents cause the zinc to slowly cover such damage.
Cool winter storage
The best winter storage option for your furniture is in an unheated storeroom that is dry, cool and well ventilated. You can also use a furniture cover or a tarpaulin, a canopy or something similar. If you use a furniture cover, be sure not to let it rest directly against any wooden surfaces as the air should be able to circulate between the furniture cover and the wooden surfaces. It is important that the furniture is both clean and dry when stored for the winter. If the chairs are stacked, remember to place something between them to protect the wood. If you cannot protect your furniture from the rain, tilt it so that the rainwater will run off.
Choose certified and ecolabelled products
All goods leave a footprint on the environment – from the extraction of raw materials to production, distribution, use and disposal. Every step of the production chain also impacts people and entire communities. Accordingly, when you buy outdoor furniture from Grythyttan Stålmöbler, you will always find an ecolabel guaranteeing that the material in the product has been produced in a manner that is both socially and environmentally sustainable. Read more about our ecolabels and certifications here.
