Do I Really Have to Take Care of My Porch Swing?

Taking care of your outdoor swing/swing frame/pergola is a small price to pay for the many hours of enjoyment that you will receive from this piece of furniture.
If the swing has served you well then just a small amount of attention can produce years of continued enjoyment.
Most of the swings available online are of the highest quality of Western Red Cedar which is a very fine-grained wood that is weather resistant and will last a lifetime.
You will also find Redwood which is weather resistant and has a wonderful glow about it so that all you need to do is to apply a sealer once a year unless you want the weathered look.
Both of these woods not only withstand moisture, humidity and dust very well, but also will resist insect attack as compared to some of the softer woods like Oak, Pine or Spruce which may have you shopping for a new swing long before you want to.
Ideally, if your swing is not located under a covered area such as a patio, it would be best if brought inside of a shed or garage.
Unfortunately, that is not always possible so here are a few tips to help add years to the life of your swing.

• Never cover your wood swing as the cover will trap moisture and cause mold and mildew to form on the surface of the wood and many times will cause stains which you will not be able to eliminate unless you completely sand the entire swing and re-finish the surface.
  Obviously, this can be a very time-consuming and tedious process.
  
• Make sure that before the end of the season you give your swing a good cleaning with a wood cleaner, which is available at your local hardware store, and water and be sure to thoroughly rinse the cleaner away.
  You need to do this to remove all of the grime that has collected over the year and also to remove any deposits that our feathered friends have left behind.
  
• After completely giving your swing time to dry you might decide to apply a sealant or varnish of your choice to further insure a swing that will give you many, many years of comfort and enjoyment.
  However many of our customers prefer the weathered look and allow their swing to grow old gracefully.
  Many times the weather in your area whether hot and dry or cool and moist will determine what and how you need to care for your swing.
  

In the meantime, enjoy the comfort, beauty and relaxing moments in your wooden swing.