You didn’t bring the outdoor furniture inside for the winter, or even cover it. Now, your chairs and patio table, even the umbrella, look plug ugly. No need to panic, though. Just give them a good cleaning, maybe even new paint, and they’ll look fresh as spring.

Whither the wicker? To clean woven furniture, you’ll need to get into and around those intricate weaves. And that requires a variety of brushes – a new, rather than used, toothbrush (stiffer bristles); a small paintbrush with bristles cut down by half, to make them stiffer but not sharper; and a bristle brush with medium bristles. Some experts recommend sharpening a dowel to pick out bits of dirt and debris, but the best tools are already sharpened – the wooden skewers used to make shish kabob. Read more »

The time has come to move outdoors and set up for barbecues, kids playing in the backyard, gardening — all the good stuff that this time of year brings. So how does your outdoor furniture look?

If you’re like me, you’re probably a bit discouraged. Without proper storage, the larger pieces remained outside; others have been stuffed under the porch to become a cozy nesting ground for furry animals. But don’t despair. With a little elbow grease and some paint, you’ll be sitting pretty in no time.

Here are my tips for rescuing outdoor furniture. Whether you have just been to the flea market or you are renewing your own tables and chairs, check first for major flaws. If you do not have the ability to fix broken slats, ripped wicker and wobbly legs, then recycle the piece for someone else to repair. Read more »

Hardwood Artisans, which makes and sells furniture, tells how to remove stubborn water rings from your wood furniture.

Dennis Pinkerton, manager of the Alexandria, Va., store, advised that the area first be cleaned with a small amount of Murphy’s Oil Soap and warm water. Then pour a dime-size dab of good English oil (he uses Watco Rejuvenating Oil) on a soft rag and rub it directly into the stain. If that doesn’t work, try gently rubbing a steel wool pad moistened with oil on the stain.

Associated Press

Check with hotels or businesses redoing their decor for deals on furniture.

Even old TVs make a campy cabinet for your fish aquarium. Have someone handy with carpentry cut out a section of the top (or hinge the top) so the tank can be cleaned and the fish fed.

Old bricks make interesting bookends.

Wood crates make really great recycle bins for newspapers.

Shutters or doors can be hinged together to make perfect room dividers.

Ceiling fans can be taken apart and used to create dragonfly lawn art. Other materials needed: a fence post, heavy gauge wire for feet, green paint. You get the picture. Read more »