With the rainy season swooping in and giving us a reprieve from the hot summer, most of us are staying indoors and joyfully bundling up in thick blankets. But alas, our patio and outdoor furniture aren’t safe from the rain.
If you have iron-based furniture in your balcony, then you are already familiar with rust. Outdoor furniture is built to last, but iron furniture left outside could easily rust when exposed to air and moisture.
Rust can damage the structural integrity of your furniture, but you can completely avoid this problem if you choose non-rusting materials, like all-weather rattan.
Prevention is better
Learn how to prevent rust build up on your furniture, here are some simple tips:
First, moisture is one of your worst enemies. Make sure to protect your furniture when not in use. Keep it dry now that the rainy season is back! If it gets caught in the rain, dry it off right away before iron oxide forms.
Once dry, find some rust-resistant wax and make sure to give your furniture a good rub down. It will form a protective barrier between your furniture and the outdoor elements.Â
White vinegar hack
Hearing about all the things you can do with vinegar must make this cooking ingredient seem pretty magical now, and did you know it’s a pretty good rust remover, too?
Spray vinegar on the affected area and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Then, get a wire brush or steel wool and scrub away!
When there’s vinegar, there’s baking soda
Like its buddy vinegar, baking soda often makes it on the list of household cleaning hacks. Baking soda is alkaline so it helps combat oxidation. Mix it with water to form a paste and apply it on the affected area with a clean cloth.
Let the paste sit for 15 to 20 minutes before using something abrasive to scrub off the rust.
Potato to the rescue
Who would have expected the humble potato—but here it is. Potatoes aren’t only delicious when fried. With a little extra oomph, it can help keep your outdoor furniture rust-free.
The oxalic acid in white potatoes can combat rust. See how it saves your furniture by cutting one in half, putting salt on it, and rubbing away! Try this method out with a pair of rusted scissors first before applying on a bigger surface area.