Care Instructions

• Proper care and maintenance are crucial when caring for outdoor furniture. Covering or storing these pieces when not in use will help prevent fading of the rope and extend the lifespan.
• Rope pieces made by us are designed to be low maintenance, however, should you wish to treat with fabric or upholstery protectors to help prevent staining, we recommend you test the solution first to ensure it does not affect the rope.
• Whenever spills occur, wipe them up immediately with a soft cloth soaked in mild soapy water.
• Work the solution into the surface with a blotting motion or by using light pressure. Rinse the surface thoroughly and allow it to air dry. Abrasive materials, excessive scrubbing, or high-pressure hoses are not recommended. In addition, sharp objects should be kept away from ropes to avoid any cutting or fraying the rope..

Satara uses stainless steel 304 in its stainless ranges.

Maintenance:

Stainless steel needs regular maintenance in order to keep it clean and shiny. Exposure to salty air can cause minor superficial corrosion, called tea staining. To get best results, wash regularly with a soft brush and mild soapy water. Any tarnishing created by salt and sea air and atmospheric rust particles should be removed with a Scotchbrite pad and stainless steel cleaner. Cleaning should occur more often in maritime areas as required to remove tea staining and surface particles.

Satara also uses galvanised and powder coated steel in some of its ranges which require thinner frame designs with added strength. 

Maintenance:

To get best results, keep the coated metal clean by washing regularly with a soft brush and mild soapy water. 

If the powdercoat surface becomes chipped or scratched the bare metal surface is left unprotected and can develop surface rust. The minimise this happening we suggest the following procedure:

1. Clean around the exposed area with finesandpaper and a dry cloth (don't remove all the rust).
2. Apply a preventative rust treatment to the exposed area such as Rustoff or Rustbuster (available at Bunnings) - follow the instructions on the bottle.
3. Apply 2 coats of an enamel paint on the treated area in a colour to match the powdercoat.

Teak is the premium natural material for outdoor furniture. Teak is an extremely durable hardwood; it requires very little care to preserve its good looks and integrity over decades of use.Teak requires no special treatment or coating to extend its long life, however there are some choices for the care of its appearance. New teak furniture often has a slight surface sheen. This is from the oil naturally occurring in teak wood. This surface oil will be washed away after a short time outdoors. The oils and resins that remain inside give teak its lasting durability. Over time when left outdoors, teak furniture will naturally age to a handsome silver-gray. This gradual process usually takes from six to twelve months depending on local conditions. Water spots or other discoloration may occur early in the weathering process. Some small cracks may also develop in the wood surface. This is a natural weathering effect and will soon blend into the surrounding surface. The slight separation of the grain has no effect on the strength and longevity of the furniture. Teak will return to its original smooth feel after the initial weathering process.

Maintenance:

Cleaning with a soft bristle brush or Scotch Brite© pad and soapy water will help to return the surface to a smooth finish. Once the furniture has taken on a weathered surface, it is easily maintained by an annual cleaning with a soft bristled brush and soapy water to remove accumulated dirt. Most dirt and stains can be removed with soapy water and a brush. For tough stains and mildew add one part household bleach to two parts water in the soap solution. Rinse well with clean water after washing. Pressure washers are to be avoided as they can scour and roughen the wood surface.

There are many Commercial Teak Cleaners and Protectors available online  - we recommend the Teakshield product which is readiy available and easy to apply.

There are also many commercial Teak Oils and stains on the market if you prefer a darker finish. We advise against the use of paint, varnish or other similar finishes. These finishes tend to crack and flake from the surface and are not suited to this application.

Note: We advise that all new teak furniture should be wiped down after unwrapping to remove any dust particles left from the production process- prior to placing your new cushions directly on the timber.

Sunbrella has a comprehensive stain removal guide that provides great advise on how to remove stains

Limit Exposure to Direct Sunlight.

Summer sunlight in Australia is extremely harsh. The sun’s UV rays will effect the colour of wood, leather and fabric. Whenever possible, we recommend that to minimise fabric fading you limit the amount of direct sunlight on your cushions. Darker fabrics tend to fade more than lighter fabrics. To ensure any fading is consistent across your cushions we recommend that you move and rotate cushions so all parts get equal exposure over time.

One of the best ways to keep outdoor fabrics looking good and to delay deep or vigorous cleanings is to properly maintain the fabrics. This can be accomplished by simply brushing off dirt before it becomes embedded in the fabrics, wiping up spills as soon as they occur or spot cleaning soon after stains occur. The following care instructions are recommended by Sunbrella and are a good guide for caring for your outdoor fabrics whether they are Sunbrella or our Factory Solution Dyed Acrylic Fabrics.

Our standard fabrics and (medium and hi density polyurethane) foam are best suited to outdoor undercover areas where the cushions may get some side spray from rain but will not be in direct rain. If cushions do get wet tilt them up on their sides to assist in drying. If the inner foam becomes soaked, remove the cushion cover and let the foam dry before putting cover back on.

If you want to leave your cushions out in the rain we recommend QuickDryFoam® foam inserts. QuickDryFoam® is exceptionally porous and permeable which allows maximum water drainage and air circulation, allowing quick use after being wet or even saturated. QuickDryFoam® uses UREGARD – in-bulit anti-microbial protection. It will prohibit the growth of common moulds and fungus inside your outdoor cushions even when left outdoors for a long period of time.

General or light cleaning

1. Brush off any loose dirt.
2. Prepare a cleaning solution of (1/4 cup) mild soap per 4 litres of lukewarm water (less than 38°C).
3. Use a sponge or a soft bristle brush to clean.
4. Allow cleaning solution to soak into fabric.
5. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
6. Allow fabric to air dry.

Spot cleaning

1. Apply a light mist of mild soap and water using a spray bottle
2. Work the solution into the stain by lightly scrubbing the area with a sponge or soft bristle brush
3. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
4. Blot excess moisture with a clean, soft towel or sponge.
5. Wet-vacuum or blot excess water.
6. Air dry, Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all soap residue is removed.

Hand washing (For removable covers)

1. Soak fabric in a solution of 1/4 cup mild soap per 4 litres of lukewarm water.
2. Use a sponge or a soft bristle brush as necessary.
3. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
4. Air dry.

Machine washing (For removable covers)

Machine wash in cold water on a mild cycle (less than 38°C). Depending on wash load size, use normal amounts of mild laundry soap and add (1 cup) of bleach. Allow fabric to air dry.

Heavy cleaning for stubborn stains and mildew

Mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric. To clean mildew, or other stubborn stains:

1. Prepare a solution of (1 cup) of bleach and (1/4 cup) of mild soap per 4 litres of clean water.
2. Spray on entire area and allow to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes.
3. Remove stain with a sponge, clean towel or very soft bristle brush.
4. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
5. Allow fabric to air dry.
6. If stain and/or mildew are severe, bleach quantities may be increased.

Re-treating the fabric for ease of cleaning

Outdoor fabrics have a special finish that enhances water repellence. The finish is designed to last for several years of normal use, but may be refreshed after a thorough cleaning or extended use.There are many commercial Fabric guards available on the market (always test before use) and follow manufacturer’s instructions.

Here are some helpful videos to show how you can remove some common stains.