Taking small steps to suitably maintain your outdoor furniture would help prolong its life and allow you to enjoy it year after year. Officials at Hampton Bay, a line of furniture from Home Depot, offer tips on cleaning, defensive and maintaining: 

• Keep it simple. For minimum maintenance, decide furniture made of easy-to-clean materials. Wrought iron and aluminum are good quality choices. 

• Go light. Pastels and light colors tend to uphold their color over time better than darker shades. If your furniture is not secluded by a roof or awning, choose light-colored fabric to diminish fading. 

• Prevent stains. Keep some distance among your furniture and surrounding foliage and trees. 

• Clean carefully. Use a pressure washer (keep the setting low) to get rid of caked-on dirt on PVC or wrought-iron furniture; a damp cloth to clean off legs and bases of metal chairs and tables; and a soft brush, with a blend of mild soap and warm water, to clean cushions and seating areas.