Dubai’s outdoor furniture is put to more use than pretty much anywhere else. A sofa purchased for a 10-year lifespan on a mild climate terrace can begin to fade, crack or sag in just 2 or 3 summers here. The most harmful influences are strong sun and heat, fine dust and sand, and humidity, particularly in coastal areas.
They all affect furniture differently, so the first step to protecting furniture is knowing what the problem is. Fortunately, this wear can be foretold. Just a few budget-friendly tips can help extend the life of a sofa, dining set or lounger by adding years of life.
Sun and heat: the slow fade
The temperature in the UAE during summer months often exceeds 40°C and a balcony or a terrace in the direct sun could be much hotter than the air. Dyes and plastics are destroyed by UV light. The first thing to fade is the fabric colours, followed by the weakening of the fibres. Plastic and resin furniture becomes chalky and brittle.
Wood can also crack across the grain if it is heated, such as teak and acacia. It removes critical softening of glues and degrades foam inside cushions. Thin aluminium powder coated metal frames can bubble and peel over time and metal frames, even powder coated, can become too hot to touch.
Dust and sand: the grinding wear
Fine dust deposits on everything and comes into the seams, zips and fabric weave after a sandstorm. These particles act like sandpaper to scuff wood and can gradually wear out upholstery when people sit on or wipe it down.
A little moisture, like morning dew or a damp cloth, combined with dust, becomes a coating that stains light coloured fabrics. Grit also lodges in sliding components of loungers and other folding items, such as folding chairs.
Humidity: the hidden damage
In coastal areas, night humidity remains high despite dry conditions on the days. Musty smells and mould spots are created when moisture penetrates foam cushions and remains. This is more problematic in a tight plastic lid that doesn’t breathe.
Unless treated, steel begins to rust and the first to corrode are the cheap screws and fittings. Wood expands at night, and contracts by day, causing joints to loosen over time. The damage is gradual, and may not be noticed by many owners until a chair wobbles or a cushion smells.
What actually helps
- Choose materials that suit the climate. Powder-coated or anodised aluminium, high quality synthetic wicker and oiled or natural silvered teak are all good for heat. Cushions: solution dyed fabric – the colour is present throughout the fibre rather than on the surface and therefore will not fade as easily.
- Add shade first. An umbrella, pergola or shade sail cuts both UV and surface heat. It is often the cheapest way to slow fading, and it protects you as well as the furniture.
- Cover it with something that fits and breathes. A loose, generic cover flaps in the wind, lets dust in underneath and rubs the finish. A made-to-measure cover is close, stays close and keeps dust from the seams. It should not be waterproof, but should block air to prevent moisture being allowed to seep through and is where mould begins. In strong winds, ties, straps or vents are important, UV resistant fabric is important: a split after one summer protects nothing. For awkward shapes like majlis seating, corner sofa or round tables, it is best to have a close fit.
- Keep cushions dry. Move them indoors or store them in a ventilated-box during the hot summer months and after rain. Damp foam is extremely difficult to dry when it is wet.
Fitted outdoor cushions and cushion covers can give tired or worn out cushions a new life if you don’t want to replace the frames.
A simple care routine
Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap, first brushing or shaking off dust. Dust can only be rubbed in further by wiping dry.
Sand storm: gently remove covers, shake furniture gently, take frame off and rinse with fresh water and dry completely before covering again.
In the summer monthly: inspect for rust, loose screws and wet cushions. Flip and dust cushions to wear evenly.
Every year: oil teak, recondition scratched metal and replace faded covers.
The short version
It’s not a very kind climate to outdoor furniture, but it’s not something that can happen at random – it’s something that can be prevented to a large extent. These are much cheaper than replacing a sofa every two summers with the proper shade, materials, and gentle cleaning.These will be much cheaper than replacing a sofa every two summers with the proper shade, materials, and gentle cleaning.
Dubai Furniture Covers is a furniture cover Dubai workshop that creates custom, made to measure covers for outdoor furniture.
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