Care & Maintenance

Built to live outside. A little care keeps it beautiful for generations.

Every Uwharrie piece is handcrafted in North Carolina to handle real outdoor weather. Use these guides to keep yours clean, comfortable, and ready to enjoy.

Cleaning Pressure-Treated Pine (Wood) Furniture

Our wood furniture is made from pressure-treated Southern pine, which resists rot, decay, and termites. Like any real wood, it moves with the seasons, and a little regular care keeps the finish looking its best.

Steps:

Remove cushions and any accessories.
Rinse with a garden hose to loosen dust and pollen.
Wash with mild dish soap and warm water, using a soft brush or sponge and following the grain.
For mildew, use 1 part oxygen bleach to 3 parts water, let it sit a few minutes, then scrub gently.
Rinse well with fresh water and let it dry completely in the sun.

Note: Don't pressure wash wood furniture. High pressure can raise the grain and strip paint or finish.

Touch-Ups and Refinishing

Touch up chips and scratches promptly so moisture can't reach bare wood. Contact us for touch-up paint in your color.
To refresh a finish, lightly sand with fine-grit sandpaper, wipe clean, and apply a quality exterior paint or sealer.
Unpainted pine can weather to a natural silver-gray, or you can seal it every 1–2 years with an exterior wood sealer.

What's Normal for Outdoor Wood

Wood naturally expands and contracts with heat, cold, and moisture. Over time you may see:

Checking: small surface cracks along the grain. This is cosmetic and does not affect strength.
Slight warping, color change, or finish wear.

These are part of real wood's character. Splitting, a crack that goes all the way through a part, is different; see our Warranty.

Cleaning Premium Uwharrie Polymer Furniture

Premium Uwharrie Polymer is built to resist moisture, rot, and insects, and needs only occasional cleaning.

Steps:

Remove cushions and any accessories.
Wash with mild, nonabrasive soap and warm water, using a soft cloth or nylon brush.
For mildew or stubborn dirt, use 1 part bleach to 3 parts water and scrub gently.
Rinse with fresh water to remove soap residue.
Let it air dry, or towel dry.

Note: On newer polymer, a pressure washer on a low setting (under 1,500 PSI), held at least 12 inches away, is fine. Avoid abrasive pads, solvents, and acetone, and keep grills, fire pits, and other heat sources at a safe distance.

Caution for older, weathered polymer: Years of sun exposure can make polymer more brittle. Pressure washing or scouring weathered polymer may cause pitting, cracking, or permanent damage. Clean it only by hand with mild soap, warm water, and a soft cloth or brush.

Cleaning Hardware

Uwharrie hardware is designed to hold up to outdoor exposure, and corrosion is covered by our warranty.

Check bolts and screws at the start of each season and tighten any that have loosened.
Rinse with fresh water and mild soap now and then, especially in coastal or humid areas.
No harsh cleaners or polishes are needed.

Note: If a screw or bolt shows corrosion, contact us for replacement hardware.

Cleaning Cushions & Pillows

Steps:

Brush off loose dirt and debris.
Spot clean with mild soap and warm water using a sponge or soft cloth.
Rinse with fresh water to remove soap residue.
Stand cushions on edge to air dry.

Note: If a cushion gets soaked, stand it upright in a sunny spot so the foam can dry all the way through. Bring cushions inside or store them in a deck box when not in use. Cushions are not covered by the Uwharrie warranty.

How Often Should You Clean?

It depends on how much you use your furniture and where you live.

Coastal, humid, or heavily used areas: rinse every week or two, and deep clean at the start and end of the season.
Mild climate or occasional use: a quick rinse before guests and one deep clean each season is plenty.

Keep It Looking Like New

Store it in the off-season: a garage, shed, or covered porch is ideal.
Use breathable covers: avoid plastic tarps, which trap moisture against the wood.
Keep it off standing water: raise wood legs off wet soil or puddles, or use furniture glides.
Clear snow and ice: don't let them pile up on seats and tabletops.
Watch the heat: keep grills and fire pits at a safe distance.
Follow these guidelines: other cleaning methods may damage the finish.

Care & Maintenance FAQs

Tap a question to see the answer.

Do I need to seal or paint my Uwharrie furniture?

Polymer, no. Painted wood should get touch-ups when chips appear. Unpainted pine can be left to weather naturally or sealed every 1–2 years.

Can I pressure wash my furniture?

Newer polymer, yes, on a low setting (under 1,500 PSI) from at least 12 inches away. Older, weathered polymer, no. Sun exposure can make it brittle, and pressure washing or scouring may cause pitting, cracking, or permanent damage. Wood, no. For weathered polymer and wood, use a hose, mild soap, and a soft brush instead.

What kind of soap should I use?

Mild dish soap and warm water work for everything. Avoid harsh chemicals, solvents, and abrasive cleaners.

My wood chair has small cracks along the grain. Is it defective?

No. That is checking, a natural, cosmetic result of wood weathering outdoors, and it doesn't affect strength. A crack that goes all the way through a part (splitting) is different; see our Warranty.

What should I do if something stains my furniture?

Clean it as soon as you can with soap and water. For mildew, use the diluted bleach solution above. For tree sap on wood, dab with mineral spirits, then wash.

Can I leave my furniture outside year-round?

Yes, it's built for it. Covering or storing it in winter will extend its life and keep the finish looking new longer.

How do I clean my cushions?

Brush off dirt, spot clean with mild soap and water, rinse, and stand them on edge to dry.

Where can I get replacement parts or touch-up paint?

Have a question we didn't answer? Contact our team. We're happy to help.