Your outdoor living space is an extension of your home. And, your outdoor furniture should allow you to enjoy the comfort and luxury of interior spaces, while in a beautiful and sunny outdoor setting. 

Crafted for the outdoors, you expect your outdoor furniture to be comfortable and functional while able to withstand the elements and last a long time. What you don’t expect is for rust, mould or mildew to appear—but, unfortunately, this can happen.    

At KING, we recognise the importance of being transparent about what you can expect from your outdoor furniture and the damage and wear certain materials can be susceptible to. 

In this article, you will learn about the potential risk of mould, mildew, rust and weather damage. We will also share advice on how to protect and clean your outdoor furniture to maintain its appearance and stay in the best condition.  

This information will help you make an informed decision about whether outdoor furniture is right for you.

How to clean and protect your outdoor sofa

Crafted with high performance solution dyed acrylic upholstery, KING Outdoor Sofas are water resistant, UV stable, and backed by a five-year fabric warranty and a ten-year outdoor frame warranty. 

Solution dying involves mixing colour pigments with synthetic raw materials before they are made into fibres and fabrics. The process uses approximately 80 percent less water than traditional wet-dying methods, fewer chemicals and CO2 emissions, and lower energy consumption. 

While KING Outdoor Sofas, are designed to withstand rain and other outdoor elements, they can develop mould or mildew if not protected or cleaned correctly. 

Knowing what you can realistically expect from your outdoor sofa will help you maintain your furniture and protect it from potential damage. 

Cleaning your outdoor sofa

To maintain your outdoor sofa, brush off dirt as often as possible before it becomes embedded in the fabric fibres and wipe up spills as soon as they occur to prevent permanent staining. 

When cleaning up and removing a spill from your outdoor sofa: 

• Remove foreign matter. 
• Dampen the fabric with a light spray of water before applying King-Care® Fabric Cleaner. 
• Gently brush the solution into the fabric and leave for 2-3 minutes. 
• Rinse with clean water before wiping over with a soft dye-free cloth.  
• Allow to air dry. 
• Avoid scrubbing, hard bristle brushes, or any other abrasive cleaning method. 

To avoid any marks or water rings, we recommend cleaning the entire surface area of the fabric, from seam to seam, instead of spot cleaning or just treating the affected area.  

Quay Outdoor paired with Oasis Outdoor Tables and Ottomans. 

Removing mould and mildew stains from your outdoor sofa

Designed to remain internally dry during the heaviest of downpours, KING premium outdoor fabrics are breathable and quick drying. An additional water resistant layer, similar to that found in quality mountaineering apparel, is engineered with Ultradown Outdoor® fibres allowing the fabric to be highly resistant to water, heat and mould. 

The KING range of premium outdoor fabrics are mould and mildew-resistant, however, mould and mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances if not removed from the fabric.  

Your sofa may also develop mould or mildew if it is constantly exposed to moisture and unable to dry thoroughly.  

To remove mould or mildew from your sofa:

• Prepare a solution of 1 cup of bleach with a 1/4 cup of mild soap and mix with 4 litres of water. 
• Spray the solution on the entire area and allow to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes. 
• Clean entire surface area with a sponge, clean towel and a very soft bristle brush. 
• Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue. 
• Allow to air dry. 

*Before cleaning your outdoor furniture, carefully read the terms and conditions to ensure you don't void your warranty. 

Use outdoor furniture covers

While the fabrics on KING Outdoor Sofas are weather resistant and designed to keep moisture at bay, prolonged exposure to the rain can cause wear, particularly if your sofa is constantly saturated and unable to dry. 

The WeatherGuard Cover creates a barrier between your sofa and potential environmental stressors. To avoid over-exposure to rain, which can cause mould and mildew, we recommend covering your outdoor sofa when not in use—particularly if rain or bad weather is expected. This will also help prevent foreign matter from building up on your furniture.  

If your sofa gets wet, allow the fabric to air dry thoroughly before placing on your WeatherGuard Cover. Allowing moisture to sit in the fabric can also cause mould and mildew to grow. 

Designed to keep your furniture clean and protected from the elements, the WeatherGuard Cover can be used throughout all seasons and year-round.  

Quay Ceramic Dining Table paired with the Quay Outdoor Dining Chair. 

How to clean and protect your outdoor dining table

At KING, our two outdoor dining tables, Olive Outdoor and the Quay Ceramic Dining Table, are crafted from a powder coated aluminium frame with a UV stable and stain resistant ceramic tabletop. 

Suitable for outdoor elements, the high-performance ceramic tabletop beautifully retains the look and tactical properties of natural stone while being easy to maintain and clean.  

The Olive Outdoor Table paired with Luna Outdoor Dining Chair. 

Caring for and cleaning your ceramic outdoor table

Unlike natural stone products that need a little more attention and care, ceramic tabletops require very low maintenance and won’t patina with wear. 

Our high-performance ceramic is UV stable, heat resistant, and non-porous, meaning the ceramic will not absorb spills or stain. The ceramic is also not susceptible to cracking from frost or low temperatures. 

While spills and stains won’t absorb into the ceramic, we still recommend you clean up any spills when they occur to avoid surface build up. For a thorough clean use a soft cloth and water with a mild detergent. 

Designed to withstand the elements, Luna Outdoor Chairs are crafted from premium materials and treated with our KingCote® protection. 

Will outdoor furniture rust?

At KING our designs feature either a durable steel frame or aluminium. 

Both materials are heavily treated to protect against rust, but does mean they are completely rust resistant and what happens if you do find rust on your outdoor KING furniture? 

What causes rust?

Almost all types of metals, including steel, have the potential to rust. 

The main factors contributing to rust include: 

• The materials used and iron content of the metal.  
• Exposure to the elements. 
• Exposure to environmental iron particles. 
• If the metal does not have a protective coating. 

Rust is the result of oxidisation when the iron particles become exposed to water and oxygen.  

To prevent rust, a protective coating is applied during the manufacturing process. Depending on the metal and the product, the coating could be galvanizing, enamelling, blueing, dry coating, powder coating, or an oil and grease coating.  

While metals without an iron content, including aluminium, do not rust, they can corrode if not treated or protected correctly.   

Additionally, iron particles exist in the environment including in the air and soil. These particles can bond to your furniture resulting in surface rust, which can then comprise the protective coating and metal frame. 

How is outdoor furniture protected against rust?

At KING, we use a powder coating method to protect our outdoor furniture from the elements, corrosion and rust. This is applied to both aluminium and steel frame designs.  

Powder coating is the process of applying a dry powder substance made of acrylic, polyester, epoxy, polyurethane or similar to metal. The powder coating is applied electrostatically and cured under heat. 

While the result resembles the appearance of paint, powder coating creates a barrier to protect the metal from exposure to moisture and oxygen. As this process creates a barrier, the metal is protected from exposure to the elements and different types of corrosion, including rust. 

The exclusive KingCote® powder-coating application combines a multi-process treatment with a sophisticated finish to ensure steel and alloy components are rust resistant and will last for years to come. 

Will your outdoor KING furniture rust?

Even with rust protection coatings, all outdoor furniture comprised of steel has the potential to rust.  

Powder coating prevents rust by eliminating exposure to moisture and oxygen. For this process to be effective, the coating must remain intact. Any weaknesses or cracks in the layer will expose the metal to the elements allowing rust to form.   

If the metal is exposed to moisture before powder coating, the moisture can remain trapped under the coating allowing for oxidisation and rust. 

To help prevent iron particles from bonding to your furniture resulting in surface rust, clean your furniture regularly and cover it when it is not in use.  

When cleaning your outdoor metal furniture, avoid scrubbing, hard bristle brushes, harsh chemicals, or any other abrasive cleaning method, as these can compromise or damage the protective powder coating.  

If rust forms on your outdoor furniture, refer to your warranty. The terms and conditions specify the warranty period and exclusions.   

*Before cleaning your outdoor furniture or using any cleaning products, carefully read the terms and conditions to ensure you don't void your warranty. 

Featured above, Delta Outdoor paired with the Lode Ottoman and Avalon Rug. 

Curating your outdoor space

When the mercury rises and the days are long and beautifully sunny, there is nothing more enjoyable than lounging on a comfortable outdoor sofa or enjoying meals with family and friends around an outdoor dining table.  

While outdoor furniture is crafted to withstand the elements, the furniture is not invincible. Care and cleaning are needed to maintain the quality and prolong the life of your outdoor furniture. 

For inspiration for your outdoor space, discover how to curate an alfresco fit for entertaining poolside, or see Elissa Greer and Darren James’ tips for creating a versatile outdoor living and entertaining space.  

To discover the KING Outdoor Collection, visit your nearest Showroom or view our designs online.