| So, you purchased Western Red Cedar (WRC) | | | | important they understand you are working with |
| outdoor furniture and got it home. You place it in that | | | | Cedar outdoor furniture. |
| perfect spot you had in mind and it looks beautiful | | | | - Wood Sealer - wood sealers block the pores of the |
| and elegant. But then what? Do you let it age | | | | wood keeping dirt and moisture out. To keep the |
| naturally; changing to silver gray? If so, should you do | | | | warm colors of cedar, use a sealer with ultra violet |
| anything to care for it? Or do you want to keep it | | | | inhibitors. Otherwise, your furniture will turn the silver |
| looking like it did when you brought it home? | | | | gray of natural aging but will not have the raised |
| Western Red Cedar requires very minimal care if | | | | grain. It is the ultra violet rays of the sun that causes |
| allowed to age naturally. Just hand wash it with a mild | | | | the change in color. The wood sealer should be |
| soap and water a couple of times a year. Also, make | | | | reapplied every year. |
| sure the hardware is tightened and not rusting. That's | | | | - Stain - stain is available in many different colors and |
| it! You don't have to take it indoors, put it in storage | | | | with or without UV inhibitors. To keep the natural |
| or anything else. It will age to a beautiful silver gray | | | | warm shades of your WRC furniture, two coats of a |
| color with a raised grain. | | | | clear stain with UV inhibitors should be applied |
| Western Red Cedar is a soft wood, it is best not to | | | | annually. Keep in mind that all colors of stain should be |
| pressure wash it, as this may damage the wood. | | | | considered PERMANENT. |
| Some suggest using steel wool or other abrasive for | | | | - Oil - Teak or linseed oil is not recommended for |
| stubborn stains. However, steel wool will leave behind | | | | Cedar outdoor furniture as the oil will tend to collect |
| tiny particles that may embed into the furniture and | | | | dust particles which will stick to the furniture. Also, oil |
| begin to rust. Any abrasive material may damage the | | | | will not keep the WRC from changing to the silver |
| wood. Therefore, hand washing with a soft rag or | | | | gray color. It will only slow down the natural aging |
| sponge is the best means of washing outdoor | | | | process and repel water. |
| furniture. For stubborn stains, check with your local | | | | - Paint - painting WRC outdoor furniture is not |
| hardware store and make sure they know you are | | | | recommended. All paint will eventually blister and peel. |
| cleaning Cedar outdoor furniture. They can suggest | | | | Paint traps moisture in the wood. If you wish to |
| an agent you can use on stubborn stains. | | | | change the color of your WRC garden, patio and |
| If you want to allow the natural aging process but do | | | | outdoor furniture, consider staining it. |
| not wish to have a raised grain, a wood sealer can | | | | - Preservative Treated - any part of WRC furniture |
| be used. If you use a sealer with UV protection, you | | | | that will be in the ground (i.e. arbor posts, pergola |
| can protect the tones of your WRC furniture as well. | | | | posts, fence posts, landscape ties etc.) needs to be |
| Again, your local hardware store can help you with | | | | preservative treated. |
| choosing the appropriate sealer. | | | | Whether you let your WRC outdoor furniture age |
| If you prefer to keep your garden, patio and | | | | naturally or prefer to keep the warm color and tones |
| outdoor furniture looking as it did when you | | | | at the time of purchases, it will be something you will |
| purchased it, there are several options available. Your | | | | enjoy with your family and friends for a very long |
| local hardware store can also help you with many of | | | | time. |
| these methods. However, keep in mind that it is very | | | | |