Cleaning & Maintenance

ESSENTIALS COLLECTION FABRIC

Manufactured using similar acrylic fibres as Sunbrella®, the all weather fabric used in the Essentials collection products can be maintained in exactly the same way. The fabric can be left outside all year round and can be simply cleaned with a solution of water and bleach followed by a thorough soaking of clean water to remove any bleach. Careful use of a high pressure washer in collaboration with bleach is recommended for removal of stubborn stains.

FABRIC CLEANER AND PROTECTOR KIT

You can now keep your outdoor fabrics looking like new for longer when you regularly apply water repellent treatment with our fabric protector. This treatment helps maintain the new look for longer and delays the natural outdoor grime and dirt process by way of repelling the water aside quickly and efficiently.

MOULD AND MILDEW

Westminster fabrics do not promote mould or mildew growth, however, mould will grow on dirt or dust and other foreign substances if not removed from the fabric. Mould will obtain moisture from the air when the air is very damp. These conditions accelerate mould growth. Mould needs water to grow and decomposes dead organic material. Mould may have formed in the inside of the fabric, in which case fold outer case inside out and follow below procedure.

While using rubber gloves, prepare a mixed solution from a whole 1ltr bottle of thick bleach, 2 parts bleach and 1 part mild soapy water or plain water. Apply to entire fabric case area and allow to soak into the fabric for 10 minutes. Clean all surface areas with a bristle brush followed by using a high pressure washer while in motion keeping nozzle at least 2 inches away from the surface. In the case of mould forming on the FR treated inner side of the case, the bleach treatment should be left for 2 hours followed by the use of a power washer to remove all soap residue. For difficult to reach areas fill a bucket of solution and soak for 2 hrs. Finally air dry. It is best to clean the entire surface area of the fabric to avoid water rings and stains including external and internal cleaning of the outer case. Our outdoor fabrics are incredibly durable and weather resistant materials, to ensure that your cushions/furniture continue to look their best, avoid using an all weather covers when cushions/furniture are still wet/damp. Please ensure that cushions/furniture are dry before covering to avoid excess mould and mildew/algae which could permanently stain the fabric.

Please note: Westminster cannot be held responsible for mould or mildew growth on cushions as these conditions are out of our control.

STAINLESS STEEL

304 Grade Stainless steel has a deserved reputation for longevity of structure and appearance, but can show signs of staining or discolouration over time (commonly referred to as “tea staining”). This is purely cosmetic. We recommend using Scale-x. Scale-x is a very heavy duty oxidation remover for stainless steel. Scale-x is one of the strongest formulations available at 42% phosphoric acid and is thus much more effective than many other commercially available products. Ideal for removing rust stains from stainless steel, kitchen equipment, stone, brick and concrete floors. Scale-X works by quickly converting the brown oxidization (Iron Oxide) to Ferric Phosphate where after treatment it can be brushed or scrubbed away leaving a fresh clean metal surface. This product can be purchased via Taylor Mclure (link below) in a 1 or 5ltr bottle. Please read instructions carefully before use. Finally, finish with Baby oil or WD40 for a consistent steel finish. https://www.taylormclure.co.uk/scale-x-phosphoric-acid-rust-remover-264-p.asp

SLING

These materials require little maintenance. However, any household kitchen cleaner or bleach will quickly and easily restore the original appearance. A power wash can also be used while keeping the nozzle at least 3 inches away while in constant motion.

ALUMINIUM

By its very nature, powder-coated aluminium is an extremely durable material. Being almost impervious to the elements, it requires little maintenance. However, to maintain the look of your aluminium products we recommend that you periodically clean them with warm soapy water using a mild detergent, alternatively a power wash can be used ensuring the nozzle is at least 6 inches away from the furniture surface.

CERAMIC (2019-2020)

Ceramic tables tops are easy to clean, with almost zero water absorption making them frost and weather proof. Although dirt cannot penetrate the ceramic surface, we do recommended cleaning the surface in order to prevent the build-up of grease and contaminants with warm water and any kitchen mild detergents.

Ceramic/glass table tops include a treatment to help expel water from the surface, and require retreating once a year with a thin layer of WD40 applied with a dry cloth, which also elevates any blemishes.

GLASS (2015-2018)

Westminster glass is toughened safety glass with a pebble textured finish designed for use outdoors. Only water should be used to clean pebble glass tops. DO NOT use household detergents. Pebble glass will fade over time. When water-soluble salts are carried to the surface by water, which evaporates and leaves a powdery salt deposit on the surface, we called this white staining “efflorescence” which should be allowed to weather away naturally especially on new tops, Any deposit remaining can be removed or reduced by treatment with clean cold water. Since the deposits are water soluble, washing down may result in the solution being partially re-absorbed. This may be minimized by using a clean damp sponge, which should be rinsed frequently in clean water. Chemical methods should never be used for the removal of efflorescence.

Ceramic/glass table tops include a treatment to help expel water from the surface, and require retreating once a year with a thin layer of WD40 applied with a dry cloth, which also alleviates any blemishes.

HIGH PRESSURE LAMINATE (HPL)

This extremely tough and weather resistant HPL (high pressure laminate) is comparable to hardwood but not susceptible to weathering, mould or rot. Smooth to the touch. HPL has a pore free surface structure. We recommend the use of gentle household cleaning agents.

CUSHION BOXES

Please note: Whilst every effort is made to keep water from entering our cushion boxes, they are not water proof. A minimal amount of water will permeate through small openings in the internal Perspex protection layer especially in severe weather conditions. In this case, simply take out any damp cushions and allow to air dry naturally.

WOVEN

These materials require very little maintenance. If cleaning is needed, careful use of a high pressure washer, or a sponge clean with warm soapy water, should be enough to clean the weave thoroughly.

WEATHERED TEAK

Weathered teak with a parasol hole & insert. Constructed using a 304 grade stainless steel. This unique weathered teak is achieved using an oil blocking agent followed by a four layer specialised pigment coloured Polyurethane and sanding process. Eventually the weathered teak finish will peel off if left to the outdoor elements, therefore it’s recommended to use an all weather cover during the winter months. A power wash can be used to clean, finished by heavy duty sanding to remove the coating. The natural teak finish will eventually turn silver, alternatively applying teak protector will maintain the colour for longer.

TEAK

One of the endearing qualities of teak is its amazing resistance to the elements. Teak can be left outside untouched and untreated for many years and over time the original colour will weather to a silver-grey. One of the endearing qualities of teak is its amazing resistance to the elements. To prolong the original look of your teak furniture Westminster have developed a protector. This is a water-based treatment which is easy to apply and up to four times more effective than teak oils. Westminster protector is a cosmetic application and therefore will not enhance your furniture’s durability or resistance to the elements. Teak can develop black spots, which can be caused by teak oil (which we do not recommend), as well as metal particles commonly found in guttering, scaffolding and railway tracks etc. After a period of time teak can show cracks, especially in the end grains. These are quite natural and do not detract from the timber’s strength or durability.

If you wish to remove the silver-grey appearance and natural day-to-day grime, you can use a power wash and or use an electric sanding machine to remove silver and marks with fine sandpaper to smooth any raised grain. The sanding also brings back the ‘new’ colour. If required when fully dry apply our Westminster Protector and follow the instructions.

TEAK CLEANER AND PROTECTOR KIT

If you wish to remove the silver-grey/dirty appearance Westminster supply a cleaner and protector kit where the instructions should be followed carefully.

FURNITURE COVERS

Aerocover breathable garden furniture covers are water-resistant, reduce condensation and help prevent mould from building up. Please note: covers are liable to fade within the first year.

T E X S I L K™ CUSHIONS – (2010-2015)

These cushions are manufactured using Texsilk™ ‘Olefin’ material which are very durable, UV stable, and carry a 1 year guarantee. The cushion filling is reflex foam with a Dacron™ wrapping for greater comfort. Please be aware that water will permeate through the fabric in showery conditions. In this instance, simply separate the cover from the filling and allow both to dry naturally. Once dry, white marks may appear from the fire retardant coating, to remove these simply wash the cushion case in a washing machine at a low temperature (30 C) delicate wash with no detergent. This procedure maybe require a second wash if not all coating has been removed. DO NOT tumble dry, allow to dry naturally. Additionally, cushions can be easily sponge cleaned using warm water. Cushions should not be stored in damp conditions as mould may develop. When not in use, we recommend that cushions are stored in dry conditions to prevent moisture damage and marking as described above. Westminster will not be held responsible for cushion fabrics which have been left in wet conditions.