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Taking Care of Your Products
Children playing with Outlast Blocks

Outlast Product Support

Can wood become weatherproof? Yes! The secret is acetylation. Acetylated wood won’t shrink, warp, twist, or rot because its chemical structure is modified to resist the effects of moisture. All Community Playthings Outlast products are backed by our standard 10-year warranty. Solidly constructed from acetylated wood, UV-resistant plastic, and stainless-steel hardware, this line of outdoor furniture and playthings is built to withstand both weather and the vigorous play of young children.

Why does Outlast age?

Because Outlast is made of real wood and finished with a non-toxic water-based stain, with exposure to UV rays and rain it will weather to a silvery, driftwood, gray look. These changes, however, are just aesthetic. Even left unfinished, Outlast playthings will outlast the rest.

If you prefer the original look, we suggest periodic applications of a non-toxic penetrating stain. See below for details.

Weathered Outlast Cascade
Outlast Product with mildew on it

What about Mildew?

If exposed to damp and shady conditions, Outlast products may start to darken and turn blotchy gray or even blackish because of mold or mildew. Molds (mildew) can be found almost anywhere and can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. While this is not a health concern and will not affect the durability of the product, it could affect aesthetics.

For mildew treatment, see below.

Storage Options

To keep the yard tidy and protect smaller items from the harshest of weather, the Outlast Shed 62" accommodates the Crates, Blocks and Wheelbarrow.

Outlast Storage Shed
"When the Outlast products arrive and we unpack them, there is a fresh look and so much potential in every box. But something beautiful happens over the years of use. Like a favorite pair of jeans that soften and fade the more you wash them, Outlast products look and feel so comfortable over time. The beautiful gray patina that appears as they age help them to blend in and become a part of our natural outdoor classrooms. The quality of the products is not diminished by this process, and as with everything else from Community Playthings, they seem to last forever. And like that old pair of jeans, we keep going back to them over and over again." —Ellen Veselack

How to clean your product of mildew:

  1. Scrub your product with a mild detergent and water. If necessary, a commercial cleaner like diluted bleach (10 parts water to 1 part chlorine) or mildew removal can be used. If using chemicals only use as directed.
  2. Pressure washing Outlast products is also effective but don't exceed 1,000 psi or the wood might splinter.
  3. Rinse product thoroughly and allow to dry.


Scrubbing an Outlast table

How to re-apply stain:

  1. Scrub you product with a bleach or detergent solution.
  2. Let it dry.
  3. Using a paint brush, apply a non-toxic penetrating stain supplied by Community Playthings.
  4. One liter of stain should be sufficient for refinishing a Shed or Classic Set of blocks.
  5. Apply a non-toxic mildewcide to minimize mildew growth.
Applying Outlast Stain to a weathered product