How to Clean and Care for Outdoor Cedar Furniture

Clean Outdoor Cedar Furniture Regularly

Begin by brushing away loose dirt, leaves and other debris. If the furniture was designed to be disassembled and dirt has collected in a hard-to-reach area, removing a few accessible parts may help. Full dismantling is usually unnecessary for routine cleaning.

Wash the furniture with warm water and a small amount of mild detergent, using a soft brush or sponge. A cleaner formulated for cedar or exterior wood can also be used, provided it is suitable for any existing finish and you follow the manufacturer’s directions. Work in the direction of the grain and pay particular attention to joints and horizontal surfaces where dirt tends to collect.

Rinse the wood thoroughly with clean water, then allow it to dry completely before applying any finish. In warm, dry conditions this may take about a day, while cool or humid weather can require considerably longer. Avoid aggressive pressure washing, which can damage the softer surface fibres and leave the cedar rough to the touch. If this happens, allow the wood to dry completely and sand the affected area lightly in the direction of the grain before applying a finish.

Let Your Cedar Weather Naturally or Apply a Finish

Western Red Cedar can be left unfinished and allowed to weather naturally. Over time, exposure to sunlight and moisture will change the surface from its original reddish-brown colour to a silver-grey. This colour change is mainly cosmetic and does not mean the wood is rotting.

Unfinished cedar may also develop small surface cracks known as checks. These form as the wood absorbs moisture, swells and then shrinks again as it dries. Minor checking is common in outdoor wood and is usually cosmetic, although deeper cracks, loose joints or signs of decay should be inspected before they become more serious. Applying a suitable finish can reduce moisture fluctuations and slow surface weathering, but it cannot guarantee that checking will never occur.

If you prefer to retain more of the cedar’s original colour, apply an exterior finish suitable for Western Red Cedar or outdoor wood. Look for a product that provides ultraviolet and moisture protection, and follow the manufacturer’s preparation and application instructions. Be aware that the word “cedar” on a stain label may describe the colour of the stain rather than the type of wood it was formulated for. Check the product information to confirm that it is suitable for exterior cedar furniture.

Before applying any finish, make sure the furniture is clean and completely dry. Test the product on a small, less visible area first, since different finishes can noticeably change the colour and appearance of the cedar.

Keep Water and Debris From Sitting on the Furniture

Cedar holds up well outdoors, but it should still be allowed to dry after rain. One of the simplest things you can do is brush leaves, dirt and other debris off flat surfaces, such as the top of a cedar table, before they trap moisture against the wood.

Pay particular attention to joints and the bottoms of the legs. If the furniture sits directly on wet soil or grass, those areas may stay damp much longer than the rest of the piece. A deck, patio or well-drained surface is a better location whenever possible.

A cover can be useful, especially during long periods of bad weather, but do not wrap damp furniture tightly and leave it that way. Let the cedar dry first and use a cover that allows some air to move underneath it.

Treat Stains Based on What Caused Them

Not every dark mark on cedar is the same, so it is worth identifying the cause before reaching for a cleaner. Ordinary dirt will often come away with mild detergent and water, while mildew may need an exterior wood cleaner made for that purpose.

Dark marks around screws or other metal parts may be caused by a reaction between the metal and the natural tannins in the cedar. These stains are different from mildew and may require a cedar-safe wood brightener or stain remover. Tofino Woodshop products are supplied with specified Type 305 and Type 316 stainless-steel fasteners. These grades are chosen for their corrosion resistance and to reduce the risk of the black iron staining that unsuitable or corroding fasteners can cause in Western Red Cedar.

Avoid scrubbing aggressively or using a strong chemical simply because a stain is stubborn. The wrong cleaner can lighten the cedar unevenly or damage an existing finish, leaving you with a larger repair than the original mark.

Sand and Refinish Only When It Needs It

You do not need to sand cedar every time you clean it. Sanding is useful when the surface has become rough, an old finish is peeling or you want to remove some of the weathered grey surface before applying a new finish.

Make sure the furniture is clean and fully dry first. Sand in the direction of the grain and remove only as much material as needed to leave the surface smooth and even. Pay extra attention to arms, tabletops and other areas that receive the most contact, but avoid rounding over edges or changing how adjoining parts fit together.

Remove all sanding dust before applying the new finish. The correct surface preparation can vary between products, so follow the finish manufacturer’s instructions rather than assuming every oil, stain or sealer should be applied the same way.

Protect Cedar Furniture During Winter

Cedar furniture does not have to be brought indoors for the winter, but storing it in a dry shed or garage will reduce the amount of weathering it receives. Make sure the furniture is clean and dry before putting it away, and avoid storing it where damp air or water can collect around it.

If the furniture will remain outside, brush off leaves and debris before winter and place it where water can drain away from the legs. A breathable cover can help keep off snow and dirt, but leave enough space for air to circulate underneath it.

The main concern is not cold by itself. It is moisture being trapped against the wood for long periods, especially around joints, flat surfaces and the bottoms of the legs.

Keeping Cedar Furniture in Good Condition

Cedar outdoor furniture does not need complicated maintenance, but it benefits from regular cleaning, good drainage and the right finish for the appearance you want. Let the wood dry properly, treat stains according to their cause and avoid trapping moisture under covers or around the legs.

A small amount of care at the right time is usually easier than restoring furniture after dirt, mildew or a failing finish has been left for several seasons. With suitable maintenance, Western Red Cedar can remain attractive and useful outdoors for many years.