Furniture Care

Outdoor Materials

Synthetic Rattan 

Our synthetic rattan outdoor designs are made exclusively from Wintech. Wintech is a state of the art all weather rattan designed specifically to suit the harsh elements of the Australian environment. It is created using a synthetic, durable, highly flexible polyethylene fibre and can be utilised in any outdoor scenario. It is 100% recyclable, non-toxic and applies UV stabilising technology to protect it from harmful UV rays and extreme weather conditions. Australian tried and tested. All Wintech products are covered by a manufacturers 12 months warranty. To ensure the longevity of your investment we advise the use of our commercial grade polyester furniture covers with PVC lining.

Viro Rattan

Viro is 100% HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), which means it is non-toxic and 100% recyclable. It does not contain any plasticizer unlike PVC. Through intensive quality control Virofiber meets ISO 9001-2000 system standards. Highly-customizable and environmentally friendly, top global designers and furniture brands use Virofiber worldwide in their outdoor furniture applications. All Viro Rattan products are covered by a manufacturer’s 3 year warranty. To ensure the longevity of your investment we advise the use of our commercial grade polyester furniture covers with PVC lining available instore or online.

Aluminium

All outdoor lounge packages feature an aluminium machine welded framework to avoid rust or corrosion and has been tested to withstand the harsh elements of the Australian environment. A high quality powder coat finish is applied to all aluminium frames to prolong the life of the product. All aluminium products are covered by a manufacturer’s 5 year structural warranty.

Aluminium & Rattan Care Instructions

Remove any decorative cushions or furniture accessories before cleaning since they will require a separate process to remove any stains or mildew growth. Use a garden hose with a spray or “rain” setting to remove the largest pieces of dirt and debris from the metal. Avoid using a pressure washer or a strong setting on a garden hose nozzle as a strong and focused stream of water could damage the furniture’s finish.

After spraying the furniture off, fill a bucket with mild dish detergent and water. Using soft cloths and a soft brush, go over each piece of furniture and remove any remaining sediment. Pay special attention to the underside of the furniture and joints.

Our Synthetic Rattan collection should also be cleaned using a Guardsman fabric protector. To ensure the longevity of your investment we recommend taking advantage of our commercial grade polyester furniture covers with PVC lining available instore or online. This will enhance the finish of your item and ensure that it is protected against the harsh elements.

Cushions and Fabrics

To optimise the life of your cushions, we recommend that they not be overexposed to long hours of sunlight or harsh elements.

Cushion and Fabric General Information Care Instructions

Follow these easy care instructions;

• Brush off loose dirt and dust regularly when dry.
• Remove stains promptly to prevent permanent marking.
• To clean, soak cushion covers in Napisan soaker or the equivalent.
• For spot stain removal, vigorously apply and rub Sunlight Soap or the equivalent.
• Do not bleach or dry clean.
• Remove red wine immediately by soaking up with household bicarbonate soda and vacuuming off once dry (return to couch to finish bottle...)
• Do not use solvent type cleaners.
• Hand wash only.
• To ensure the longevity of your investment we recommend taking advantage of our commercial grade polyester furniture covers with PVC lining available instore or online.

This is The Furniture Shack’s guide to care and maintenance for your outdoor cushions and the application of alternative products are used at your own risk.

Spun Polyester

Spun Polyester fabrics and fibers are extremely strong. Polyester is very durable: resistant to most chemicals, stretching and shrinking, wrinkle resistant, mildew and abrasion resistant.

Spun Polyester is hydrophobic in nature and quick drying. It can be used for insulation by manufacturing hollow fibers. Polyester retains its shape and hence is good for making outdoor clothing for harsh climates. It is easily washed and dried.

Olefin

Olefin fiber is a synthetic material made from a polyolefin, such as polypropylene or polyethylene. It is used in wallpaper, carpets, ropes and vehicle interiors. 

Olefin's advantages are its strength, colourfastness and comfort, its resistance to staining, mildew, abrasion, sunlight and its good bulk and cover.

Sunproof

Woven from 100% solution dyed olefin yarn. Sunproof has chosen to use the premium quality of solution Dyed Olefin. Solution dyeing is a clean manufacturing process as the color is added before the yarn is extruded. It is friendly to the environment because no dye bath processes are used, eliminating waste effluents, which may pollute air and water. Sunproof fabric is 100% recyclable.

Resistant to UV damage and fading. Sunproof applies excellent ultraviolet blocking agents which protect the polymer backbone of the fabric from the effect of UV radiation.

Perfect for all Outdoor applications. Therefore, as an outdoor fabric, Sunproof is proven to have a strong ability to withstand the effects of prolonged exposure to sunlight, wind, rain and humidity. It is long lasting. Proven quality. Sunproof has obtained UV standard 801 certificate – protect 80 means it is capable of blocking more than 97% UV Ray.

Sunproof therefore ensure excellent quality of raw material is used. In accordance to British Standard (BS EN ISO 105-B04)., for the colour fastness to artificial Weathering. Sunproof fabric has been tested with the result of 7 – 8.

Sunbrella

Each cushion is hand sewn using one of the best outdoor fabrics available on the global market, Sunbrella.  Sunbrella is founded on the belief that fabrics should be both beautiful and functional. The company began in the 1960s with the challenge of creating an awning canvas with a substantially longer lifespan than cotton.  Sunbrella has become widely adopted for shade structures, marine canvas and upholstery fabric for both outdoor and indoor applications. It is 100% acrylic fabric that is solution dyed.  This means that the fibres are dyed prior to being woven making the colour ‘skin deep’ rather than printed on top.

Our textiles are made with close attention to design detail, and engineered with robust performance characteristics that provide resistance to fading and degradation from sunlight and chemical exposure. The fabric is tactile yet durable, has industry-leading environmental characteristics, is easy to care for and offers long life wherever it’s used. Each yard of Sunbrella performance fabric is a product of a global support team committed to producing only the most exceptional performance textiles you can buy.

Polywood

The introduction of Polywood was based on feedback from customers over many years asking for an alternative to glass. Over 20 years of research and development have been invested in this material so that we can offer a modern material that can withstand the elements.

Polywood is made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), UV-inhibited pigment systems, foaming compounds, and selected process additives. The HDPE primary raw material is derived from post-consumer bottle waste, such as milk and detergent bottles or other HDPE post-industrial material. This not only creates a durable hard wearing product but solves a daunting environmental issue in the process.

Polywood Care Instructions

For regular cleaning, simply wash the product with soap and water.  Simply fill a bucket with a soap and water solution and wipe the polywood with a wash cloth or sponge.  If there are smudges or marks on the product from regular use, they may take some scrubbing to disappear completely.  If the wash cloth or sponge does not work, rub a bristle brush along the surface to remove stubborn dirt particles and other debris.  Complete the general cleaning process by rinsing the furniture with a hose until no soap residue if left. 

Textiline

Textilene is a mesh fabric woven of strong polyester yarns that are individually coated with PVC, specifically designed for outdoor use. This product is the best choice for sling furniture because it is elegant, strong and very durable to outdoor exposure.

Textiline Care Instructions

• Brush off loose dirt
• Hose down
• Prepare a cleaning mixture of water and mild, natural soap (no detergents)
• Use a soft bristle brush to clean
• Allow soap to soak in
• Rinse thoroughly
• Air dry

ECO ALFRESCO

Kubu

Kubu is very hard wearing, natural rattan that is grey in colour and perfect for use in furniture weaving. During the manufacturing process the material is woven around a solid timber frame to create each furniture piece. Our Kubu suites are lightly sanded then sprayed with a clear melamine coating. This process is repeated 3 times to ensure a high quality finish. The frame is constructed from solid wood which gives the suite its structural integrity. 

Furniture care for Kubu.

1. Fill a bowl with water. Add a few drops of dish detergent and stir to agitate until bubbles form on the surface.
2. Dip a soft cloth into the bubbles only, not into the water.
3. Wipe the rattan with the bubbles. The slight moisture cleans without over-wetting the rattan, which can cause damage.
4. Use a toothbrush or other soft brush to clean in the cracks and crevices, using the same suds-only cleaning method.
5. Repeat weekly for best results.

 Teak and Mixed Hardwoods

Mixed natural hardwoods make up each top and all timber used is 100% recycled and derived from government owned sustainability approved suppliers. 

Our Teak furniture generously shares with you a rich history of humble beginnings. Often sourced from discarded fishing boats and buildings the recycled teak is then given new life by master craftsmen who create a statement piece that tells a unique story through the inherent cracks, lines and patches. 

 Teak and Mixed Hardwoods Care Instructions

Teak and Mixed Hardwood furniture does not require a special maintenance routine or any additional protection apart from occasional cleaning. If left to age naturally outside, Teak will gradually change to a soft, silver-grey as the pigments in the surface layer of the wood begin to fade away. We recommend that you allow your teak furniture to weather naturally this way and simply clean thoroughly once or twice a year with a Teak cleaning product such as Guardsman's Wood Protectant.

Teak furniture may also benefit from an occasional light sanding to remove any raised grain and restore a smooth finish to the surface.  Under no circumstances should a high pressure hose be used to clean Teak furniture. Application of Teak Sealer will not affect the strength or longevity of the furniture in any way, just its appearance. Teak sealers such as Bondall’s Monocel Gold – Teak Marine Grade Stain and Varnish (available from any home improvement store) provides maximum exterior durability and colour retention, whilst withstanding the harshest of Australian conditions. All products should be used at your own risk and manufacturer’s warranties and terms of use apply.

Cushion Foam

Our foam is high grade “Supa Comfort” brand and has passed significant density testing standards prior to manufacture. The foam cushion core is then encased in Dacron and enclosed in an inner lining allowing for easy access to cushion covers for cleaning.