Care & Maintenance
We recommend storing your furniture indoor or covered areas during the off season or not in use for prolonged period.Please thoroughly clean all furniture and cushions before storage.
For specific materials, please refer to the care and maintenance instruction below:
Aluminum
Aluminum is strong, non-rusting, low maintenance and very resistant to the weather.
Apply a coat of non-hazing automotive paste wax at the start of each season as well as before putting your furniture away at the end of the season, this will repel the accumulation of moisture and water spots and minimize possible staining.
• Remove any cushions or furniture accessories before cleaning.
• 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 since a too strong and focused stream of water could damage the finish.
• After spraying the furniture off, wash the furniture with a soft cloth or sponge and a solution of mild, PH-neutral soap, such as Dawn® and clean water.
• Rinse thoroughly with a low-pressure hose to remove any soap.
• Allow the furniture to air dry.
• Do not clean the furniture with abrasive pads, brushes or cleansers. Use care to avoid scratching the finish.
• There are “weeping holes” on the aluminum frame to help drain water. This will allow the inside of frames to air out. However, moisture can also enter in through these weeping holes. To solve this, place your patio furniture in a position that allows water to easily flow out using the force of gravity to your advantage. These weeping holes are typically predrilled to allow unobstructed draining in the normal upright position. For this reason, you should avoid storing outdoor furniture upside down.
• Do not put heavy objects such as planters on the aluminum table to avoid scratches and water marks. Do not put hot objects such as hot pans on aluminum table to avoid leaving heat marks on it.
Batyline® / Sling
Manufactured by Ferrari in France, Batyline® is an extremely durable and high-quality textile consisting of a 100% PVC coated polyester yarn fabric, it offers exceptional outdoor resistance characteristics. It is highly resistant to UV radiation, fading, dirt, rot and mildew.
Batyline® are particularly suitable for outdoor seats and backrests. Its resilient properties make it an ideal choice for furniture near swimming pools or other aggressive harsh environments.
• Vacuum the fabric.
• Wash it with a soft brush or a sponge, clean with a mild detergent to lukewarm water
• Rinse well and allow drying completely in the open air, well spread out.
• Do NOT use solvents or abrasives, or chemical cleaning products as it maybe harmful to the textiles.
• Refer to the clean recommendations Batyline from Serge Ferrari.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcfXO5QI9Jo&feature=youtu.be
Cushion
Ratana cushion uses reticulated outdoor foam that possesses excellent fluid drain ability and will completely shed moisture to provide a fast-drying comfortable cushion. We provide choices of Sunbrella, Bella Dura, Batyline and Stamskin fabrics. Ratana cushion are low maintenance, high style and weather resistant, however, a few precautions will help ensure that your cushions provide you with many years of satisfaction.
• Clean your cushions periodically with sponge, mild pH-neutral soap such as Dawn® and lukewarm clean water. While casual furniture fabrics are designed for outdoor use, this does not mean they will not get dirty (mold and mildew can grow on dirt).
• Rinse thoroughly and allow fabric to air dry.
• The fills of quality outdoor cushions are designed to allow water to pass directly through them as quickly as possible. Should your cushions get wet, tilt them up on their sides and let them dry naturally outside in the breeze.
• Place your cushions away from trees or bushes that can drip sap.
• When not using your furniture, remove and store your cushions in a clean, dry place.
• Spread a towel over your chair or chaise before you apply insect repellant, suntan lotion or oil. While some products are totally harmless, others may cause the fabric to "burn" or change color as every tanning preparation uses a different chemical formulation. So, play it safe and use a towel.
Durawood
Durawood is virtually maintenance free due to the fact that it has exceptional resistance to fading, moisture, insects, splintering, and other common outcomes from environmental stress that one observes with treated lumber or wood fiber composite products.
• Washing regularly the top with soap and water to remove dirt and debris.
• Do not leave empty glasses on Durawood surfaces under direct sunlight. Doing so may cause sun damage to the surface.
High Pressure Laminated Top (HPL Top)
HPL Top (High Pressure Laminate Top) is made from phenolic resin-impregnated layers which have been compressed under very high pressure into a strong material with a scratch-resistant surface; laminate table tops generally require a minimum of maintenance. HPL is more durable when it comes to chemicals and heat, compared to other laminates. HPL Top is highly resistant to UV's, weather, abrasion from stains and scratches. It will heat less in the sun than a steel of aluminum surface of the same color. HPL Table Top offer unique finishes on a seamless solid surface.
• Regularly cleaning the surface using a mild soap and warm water.
• Wipe the surface with a clean, dry cloth.
• Avoid Build-up of grease and stains by washing regularly with water and mild soap.
• Do not use scouring powder or nylon sponges as these will fade or scratch the laminate.
• Never use abrasive or highly aggressive cleaning products, such as steel sponges, scouring powder or other polishes (for home use), to clean laminate table tops, as they can scratch the surface and cause irreparable damage to your tabletop.
• Avoid moving abrasive objects on the tabletop surface and placing hot pots directly on it. Cookware still hot from the stove or oven should not be placed directly on the laminate surface.
• Certain food stains such as tea, food dyes, fruit drinks, coffee or wine may be more difficult to remove. Such stains should be removed as quickly as possible. A thorough cleaning using mild cleaner, detergent, or general-purpose cleaner and a short soft-bristle nylon brush is recommended for removing stains. This procedure will also remove water marks, glass rings, and greasy fingerprints.
• Never use sharp objects such as knives directly on the surface of decorative high-pressure laminates. Use a chopping block or cutting board.
Resin (Woven)
Ratana’s resin is crafted from high-density Polyethylene (HDPE). It is a durable all-weather material that is ultra –violet, mildew resistant and ideal for outdoor furniture. Heavy gauge aluminum welded-joint frames are used in Ratana resin furniture, which is resistant to corrosion. Minimal maintenance is required to maintain the beauty of your resin wicker. We do recommend, however, a periodic cleaning to remove any dirt, dust or oils that may collect over time to keep your wicker looking new.
• The wicker may be washed with mild detergent and water.
• When it becomes soiled using a wet sponge, cloth or a soft plastic bristle brush.
• Rinse and allow to dry thoroughly before use.
• Do not use solvents, scouring agents, carbon tetrachloride, undiluted bleach, janitorial cleaners, or gasoline. If in doubt about using a detergent, choose an inconspicuous area and test the cleaner.
• If you are using your furniture indoors, a damp cloth with mild soap and water should be the only requirements for maintaining your wicker.
Durarope™ / Durastrap™
Durarope™ and Durastrap™ are made of Polypropylene (PP) and Polyolefin (PO) which are both light weight and strong. To slow degradation, antioxidants and ultraviolet inhibitors are added to increase the lifespan of the material. Both also have excellent insulation properties and highly resistance to mildew.
Common woven fabric materials for ropes or straps including PP and PO are all UV resistant, heat resistant, abrasion-resistant, and resistant to mold, mildew and rot. Rubber fills in the knitted polyolefin Durastrap™ offer style, softness and comfort. The synthetic EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) rubber foam within is moisture and mildew resistance.
• Gently de-dust the fabric with a vacuum cleaner regularly.
• Wash it tenderly with a soft brush or sponge with mild, pH-neutral soap as Dawn® and clean water.
• Rinse well and allow drying completely in the open air.
• Do not scrub excessively, apply heat or use any sharp objects to clean.
• Do not pull hard on the material as it can be stretched out of shape.
• Do not use solvents or abrasives, or chemical cleaning products as it may be harmful or damaging the textiles or fabric materials.
• To extend the life of the furniture, store in a dry area out of the elements when not in use.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is an alloy of low carbon steel and chromium, which is inherently anti-corrosive. But oxidation may occur, all grade and finishes of stainless steel may in fact stain. If left unchecked this corrosion may become irreversible over time. To achieve maximum corrosion resistance, the surface of the stainless steel must be kept clean. Surface contamination and the formation of deposits are critical factors which may lead to drastically reduced life. Regular maintenance is important.
Working environment – such as warm, high humidity atmosphere above indoor swimming pools would increase the speed of corrosion and therefore require more frequent maintenance. Cleaning is necessary on all grades of stainless to prevent corrosive particles from gathering in the grain of the stainless surface. This result in a rust colored staining.
• We recommend cleaning it on a regular basis. Using mild detergent and water or high-quality stainless-steel cleansers and according to the manufacturer’s instruction.
• Do not use bleach, detergents containing bleach, hydrochloric acid, products containing chloride which can corrode stainless steel. Salt or acid from coffee, wine, orange juice, tomato and lemon juice, etc. may discolor stainless steel products that are not cleaned immediately.
• Scratches in stainless can be buffed out with Scotch Brite pads or very fine grit sandpaper.
• It is also recommended to follow polish lines NOT in circular directions when buffing out scratches.
Stamskin®
Stamskin®, produced by Serge Ferrari, benefits from a manufacturing technique which gives it incomparable flexibility. Its elegant appearance and pleasant feel are particularly appreciated. Comfortable, easy to care for and weather resistant. Stamskin® is known for its undeniable advantages.
Its strength, durability and easy care make Stamskin® a fabric particularly suitable for outdoor use. With its unique elasticity and suppleness, this artificial leather offers outstanding seating comfort. This material has an excellent resistance to ultraviolet radiation (UV) and is treated to resist microorganism and mold. Stamskin Top® is classified flame retardant in accordance with current European fire safety standard.
• De-dust the fabric with a vacuum cleaner or soft, non-metallic brush (soft bristle type), -
• Wash the fabric using a soft brush or sponge.
• Apply mild soap water or an aqueous, FERRARI® Clean* detergent solution, carefully adhering to the following dosage:
•Light dirt: 5% concentration, 20°C water temperature,
•Medium dirt: 10% concentration, approx. 20°C water temperature,
•Stubborn dirt: 10% concentration, approx. 50°C water temperature.
• Rinse thoroughly with clear water
• Leave Marine fabrics spread out to dry in the open air.
• Refer to the following YouTube for details
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEge8fyYRqQ&feature=youtu.be
Sunbrella Fabric
Upholstery Care and Cleaning One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella® fabrics looking good is to brush off dirt before it becomes embedded in the fabrics and wipe up spills or clean soon after a stain occurs. The quicker you clean spills and stains, the easier they can be to remove.
Please refer to following Sunbrella care and cleaning tips for more details:
https://cdn.glenraven.net/sb2016/pdf/care-and-cleaning/care-and-cleaning-tips-sunbrella-upholstery-fabrics-en-us.pdf
Umbrella
Ratana umbrella come in with different materials – Fabrics and aluminum, please refer to the corresponding section for the appropriate material care and maintenance.
• Under windy conditions, umbrella should be closed.
• If high wind speed weather, there can be issues even with the umbrella closed, it is recommended that umbrellas should be closed, removed from their base and stored or laid horizontally.
• In windy conditions, to ensure stability of your umbrella, please observe proper placement, and use sufficient weight base.
Updated: September 3, 2020