Care & Maintenance
Everything we sell lives outside. That is the whole point of it, and it is also why it needs a little attention. None of this takes long — most of it is seasonal rather than weekly — but doing it makes the difference between furniture that lasts three years and furniture that lasts fifteen.
One thing worth saying first: several materials we sell change. Teak silvers. Copper turns green. Cast stone gathers moss. Oxidised steel rusts on purpose. None of these are faults, and none of them need fixing unless you want the original colour back.
Always check the care guidance on the individual product page first — it takes precedence over the general advice below.
Teak
Left alone, teak weathers from honey to a soft silver-grey over roughly two seasons. Structurally it is unaffected — the wood's own oils continue to resist rot and insects. This is the low-effort route and many people prefer the look.
To hold the warm tone instead, clean with a soft brush and mild soap in spring, let it dry fully, and apply a teak sealer once a year. Avoid oil-based products in damp climates — they can encourage mildew.
Powder-coated and cast aluminium
Aluminium will not rust, which is why we use it. Wash with mild detergent once or twice a season. The one thing to watch is chips in the powder coat: touch them up with matching enamel when you spot them, because bare aluminium under a chip will oxidise and lift the surrounding coating.
PE wicker and rattan
Rinse the weave with a hose to clear dust and pollen from between the strands. Mild soap and a soft cloth for anything stubborn. Avoid stiff brushes, which fray the weave. Store cushions dry.
Braided rope
Brush loose debris out of the weave, then rinse and air dry. Rope holds moisture longer than it looks like it does, so give it real drying time before covering.
Cushions and outdoor textiles
Where a cushion uses solution-dyed fabric with quick-dry foam, water passes through rather than sitting inside — check the product page for what yours is made of. Covers that unzip can generally be machine washed cold and line dried. Never tumble dry.
After heavy rain, stand cushions on edge to drain. If they stay flat and wet against a seat for days, mildew will find them regardless of the fabric.
Concrete and cast stone
Reseal every two to three years to resist staining — red wine and cooking oil are the usual culprits. Before a hard freeze, raise pieces onto feet so water drains rather than pooling and expanding.
Terracotta and glazed stoneware
Unglazed terracotta is porous and will crack if it freezes with wet soil inside. Empty it, or move it under cover for winter. High-fired glazed stoneware is more frost tolerant but still wants to be drained and raised off the ground.
Galvanised steel
Galvanising dulls and develops spots over time. That is the zinc coating doing its job at the surface, not corrosion of the steel underneath. Nothing needs doing.
Copper
Solid copper develops a patina over the first two seasons, moving from bright through brown to green. Leave it and it will look better every year. If you prefer it bright, a copper cleaner two or three times a season keeps it there.
Oxidised steel
Steel fire bowls finished to oxidise are designed to rust. The patina is protective and stabilises after the first season. Drain rainwater after storms so it does not sit in the bowl.
Cedar and acacia
Both resist rot naturally. Cedar silvers over several years; acacia does the same faster. Re-oil acacia once or twice a year to hold its warmth. Do not seal cedar raised beds if you are growing food in them — untreated is the point.
Bamboo
Seal with an exterior wood oil annually in wet climates. Bamboo handles sun well and moisture less well.
Grills and fire features
Brush grates while still warm, after the burn-off. Empty charcoal ash after every cook — ash holds moisture and will rust a grill from the inside faster than weather ever will. Season the interior of offset smokers and cast iron with oil before first use and once a year after.
Cover gas burner ports when not in use so debris stays out. Check hoses and connections at the start of each season.
Before winter
- Bring cushions and textiles indoors, fully dry
- Empty and raise or store terracotta and concrete planters
- Drain hoses, watering cans, and bird baths — trapped water is what cracks things
- Close and dry umbrellas before storing them shut
- Cover grills and fire tables, or store them under shelter
- Aluminium and teak furniture can stay out; wicker and wood last longer covered
Still unsure?
Every product page lists its own care guidance and weather rating. If yours is not clear, email bersamllc@gmail.com and tell us the piece and your climate.
