Now that spring is here, and the weather is beginning to warm, it is a great time to throw an outdoor party. What better reason to gather all of your friends together than to celebrate the day of the year when everyone is considered Irish? So, you’ve sent out our party invitations for an awesome St. Patrick’s Day party. What could possibly go wrong?
The day of your big party arrives, and all of your friends show up. Everything is going swimmingly. The food is great, everyone is getting along and having a good time, and you haven’t forgotten anything. You pat yourself on the back as you think you’ve possibly thrown the perfect party. But, as fate would have it, just as you go inside to refresh the hors d’oeuvre tray, calamity strikes. As you return to the party, you discover that your wonderful wicker furniture has somehow found its way into the pool.
How on earth can that have happened in such a short period of time? You don’t have time to think about possible scenarios that could have ended in this way. Instead, all you want to do is get your wicker out of the pool, assess the damage, and figure out how to fix it.
Resin wicker is waterproof
If your wicker furniture is made from synthetic resin, you are in luck. Resin wicker furniture is waterproof. Although this material looks like natural wood, it is, in fact, plastic. So, it is designed to repel water. In the best of circumstances, water should bead and bounce off of the wicker, rather than be absorbed. However, even though it is waterproof, the intent is for the wicker furniture to be able to withstand a heavy rainstorm, not be dunked in a pool. Although the furniture should be safe, you still need to remove it from the pool right away and let it start drying out.
Drying wicker furniture
If your wicker furniture is made from natural materials, you cannot delay getting it dry, as it is prone to mold and mildew growth. However, with resin wicker, you have a little more leeway. Furniture made from synthetic materials can dry in the sun and fresh air. However, if you wish to speed the process along, you can use the low setting on a hairdryer or a fan. The constant movement of air will help the furniture dry without any harm.
Cleaning wicker furniture
After its dunk in the pool, there is no doubt that your wicker furniture will be a little (or a lot) dirty. So, it is a good idea to clean it after it dries. Cleaning synthetic wicker furniture is easy. Create a solution of water and mild detergent. Gently scrub the furniture with a soft brush. Use a toothbrush to get into the small spaces. Thoroughly rinse the furniture off, and then let it dry once again. You can read the entire cleaning process by clicking here.
Make any necessary repairs
After an unplanned dip in the pool, your wicker furniture might need some minor repairs. A thorough inspection of each piece will show you what repairs will need to be made. Thankfully, small repairs can be easily accomplished by any homeowner. Loose leg wrappings can be re-wrapped, and broken strands can be rewoven. Finally, your wicker furniture may need a new coat of paint or varnish to make it appear new again.
Keep it from blowing away
If your wicker furniture ending up in the pool was a result of extremely gusty winds, you might want to consider anchoring your pieces to the ground. There are several methods you can use to keep your wicker furniture from moving around the yard and landing where it does not belong. The best method for you to try is dependent on many factors, including the size of your yard and type of furniture you have.
Some great ways to keep your furniture in place include securing the pieces with bungee cords, installing stakes and anchors in your patio, and even building a wind break in your yard. To learn more about keeping your wicker furniture from blowing away, click here. Some of these methods are effective even if it was not the wind that blew your wicker furniture into the pool, but rather rowdy party guests.
Hopefully having your wicker furniture end up in the swimming pool is the worst part of your St. Patrick’s Day party. Although it is not an ideal situation, it is one from which you can easily recover, particularly if you have resin wicker furniture. If you weren’t that lucky and it was natural wicker furniture that was victimized, you may be better off starting fresh with some brand new synthetic wicker furniture from Design Furnishings. We have several styles to choose from, as well as accessories such as outdoor bars, side tables, and fire pits. We can help you get a fresh start with synthetic wicker furniture that can withstand anything you can throw at it.
If you would like more information, visit our website and speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff at Design Furnishings today!