Caring for and Cleaning Your Adirondack Chairs

Which woods are good for for outdoor Adirondack chairs? All of our Adirondack chairs are suitable for outdoor use (unless noted otherwise). Western Red Cedar is a fine-grain, dimensionally stable wood that is naturally weather-resistant. It will last a lifetime. Our alder Adirondack chairs are painted with a high-gloss, two-coat, water-based enamel and are a very stable choice. Cypress Adirondack chairs are made from a beautiful, distinctive and durable wood that assures years of trouble-free satisfaction. Mahogany Adirondack chairs season/weather well with minimal shrinkage and checking. How often should I refinish my wood Adirondack chair? The answer to this question is not as simple as you may think. There are many factors to consider when caring for your Adirondack chair. Consider the weather where you live. Is it sunny and hot, cool and wet? Do you store wood Adirondack chairs in the winter? Do you keep your wood Adirondack chairs covered in the off season? Consider the look you like. If you decide not to refinish your teak Adirondack chairs, for example, you may let them slowly weather to a silver/gray. Many of our customers love this look while others prefer to keep the 'like-new' look. The sun and exposure to the elements change the surface color of unprotected woods in unfinished Adirondack chairs but does not affect the structural integrity of the wood. It really is a matter of personal preference. Whether or not you decide to keep the 'like-new' color or let it gray, it is important to clean the outdoor Adirondack chairs at least once a year.

It should be pointed out that our EnviroWood line is a bit different than standard woods because these outdoor Adirondack chairs requires no waterproofing, staining or similar maintenance when used in exterior applications.

What kind of weather finish should I use on my wood Adirondack chairs?
While there are many good products available, there are particular features that you should look for in a good weather finish.

Paint?
You can certainly paint your wood Adirondack chairs if you so desire. Be sure to use a good primer on the clean, bare wood before applying the finish coat to your painted Adirondack chairs. Of any exterior finish, paint offers the best form of protection. However, paint will eventually peel and will be more unsightly over time than a wipe on finish if it's not attended to. In fact, most outdoor finishes on wood Adirondack chairs will only last 1-3 years before they need to be renewed. That takes a commitment on your part to periodically protect your wood Adirondack chairs.

Oil or water based for your Adirondack chair?
Typically the oil based products last longer on wood Adirondack chairs, but they are usually harder to clean up and more toxic to you and the environment. Water based products are generally easier to use and clean up.

Do you live in a wet climate?
Look for a product with a mold inhibitor.

Do you live in a hot climate?
Most good finishes for your wood Adirondack chairs will have UV protection in them and a yearly application is recommended. Whatever finish you decide to use always consider your health and safety and follow all manufacturers' directions. If you don't intend to renew the finish on your wood Adirondack chairs, the wood will turn a silvery grey color. Once the exterior of the wood is gray, the rate of wood deterioration to the wooden Adirondack chairs slows tremendously. (The damage to the surface actually prevents UV light from penetrating to the interior of the wood.) So it's fine to let the wood's natural properties protect against decay, rot and insect infestation.

How do I clean my wooden Adirondack chair?
A pressure washer makes cleaning super easy. Otherwise you can clean them with a soft brush and a good wood cleaner. You can find these things at any hardware store. Be sure to rinse well and allow the wood to dry thoroughly before applying any finish.

A mild soap and water bath once a week is a good, inexpensive way to start your wooden Adirondack chairs care program. Just use a pan of warm sudsy water and a cloth or paper towels. Follow up with a pan of clear water and rinse the soap off so that you don't end up with a soapy film on your chairs. Be sure that the surface is dry after washing.

Spills on your wood chairs should be wiped up as soon as they happen, especially carbonated beverage spills, they can be very hard on clear finishes and paint if left sitting.

Do I need to store my wooden Adirondack chairs in the winter?
It is always best if you can put wood Adirondack chairs away in the garage or shed for the winter. If you do not have a place to store them, and you would like them covered, just remember to make sure the furniture is dry before you cover it. Plastic tarps often can promote mold growth or will leak, so be careful.