The common make of most outdoor furniture that makes up our gardens or patios are that they are made from wood.  This includes the chairs and the tables.  They are generally designed to withstand the elements.
But for over long periods of exposure to too much moisture and to too much heat can make the wooden furniture to deteriorate at a faster rate.  Common symptoms include, the paint starts to peel, metal parts like the nuts and bolts and sometimes the hinges starts to rusts.  And after just a couple of months the furniture really looks worn out and needs immediate replacement.
Generally, we would not want this to happen to our outdoor furniture made from wood.  At least not in the near future, anyway. Because wood as with any other material in this world, would soon deteriorate.  This is because of wear and tear and because of time.  What we can do therefore is to slow the time a bit and make even our outdoor wicker furniture lasts.
Below are some suggestions on how to keep our wooden outdoor furniture in tip top shape:
•    Seal it with a wood sealer.  This should be applied to all the wooden pieces.  Wooden sealers help the furniture withstand the elements and prevent it from warping.  A couple of coats should be applied over and above the totally dried up paint.  Wooden sealers can come in cans which can be applied using a brush or it can come in spray form.  They are basically the same but the main difference lies in the fact that spraying is much easier.  For older wooden furniture and even an outdoor umbrella with a wooden frame that has seen better days you can still save it and make it new again.  Just remove the old paint, re-paint it with a fresh coat then apply the wood sealer.  The wood sealer can be bought in any hardware store near you.
•    Vegetable oil.  You may ask what a vegetable oil can do for wooden furniture especially for its metal parts.  The answer is a lot.  The vegetable oil can help protect the furniture from moisture damage.  You can apply the vegetable oil to the hinges, the crews, nut and bolts and just about anywhere where there is a metal present.  Even if the furniture is kept near a shade or below a canopy where it is protected from the elements, the moisture can still destroy most furniture especially the metal parts.
•    Keep it away from too much moisture and heat.  Even though most outdoor furniture like the outdoor heaters are designed for outdoor use they can still succumb to early deterioration if not properly taken cared of.  If this furniture will not be used for long periods of time have it covered with furniture cover or better yet keep them in a dry, covered and well ventilated place until they will be used again.
•    Apply putty in every crack.  Applying putty even in the smallest crack can be beneficial in the long run.  Larger cracks can be prevented if the putty is applied early on.  After applying the putty wait for it to dry completely the repair it and seal it too.  If the furniture has been left outside for too long it may be necessary to give it a good sanding before applying the putty, the paint and wood sealer.  But be careful in sanding that old furniture as too much sanding can also damage it.
•    Paint it regularly.  Fresh coat of paints are good for two or three years maximum.  After this period of time it is necessary to give it another coat to help protect it.  Paints are not only good aesthetically because they can make the furniture look good but also it can give added layer of protection.  Paints are necessary for outdoor furniture.
Taking care of your wooden furniture is not that difficult.  It only takes a lot of commitment on your part plus a little bit of discipline.  After all this is one of your investments so you better take care of it.