Care Tips

Wind chimes are not indestructible.

Be kind to your chime.  No wind chime should be left outside throughout the winter months unless it is in a particularly sheltered spot e.g. under a porch.  Strong winds will cause chafing and ultimately breakage of the nylon line as the sound tubes flap about. 

Ideally your chime should temporarily be taken down if the wind strength reaches gale force at any time of the year.  If yours is a particularly large, heavy chime (4 ft +), you might consider binding the sound tubes together until the wind drops off.

A lot of metal chimes have coloured powder coated tubes - the coating may flake off if the chimes are waggling about violently and  knocking against each other.

Persistent wet weather will result in mould and green algae on wooden components.

Bamboo Wind Chimes

Bamboo chimes are very resiliant, but should be brought in during extreme weather or harsh winters.  They can be wiped with a damp cloth to remove any build-up of dirt or mould, and it's a good idea to apply a coat of varnish in the spring.

Check the nylon line from time to time - most bamboo wind chimes are threaded on rot-proof nylon line, but over time even this may chafe and wear through.  It's not difficult to re-thread a chime using similar line.

Follow the above advice and your bamboo chime will give you pleasure for many years.

Metal Wind Chimes

Aluminium alloy chimes will not rust, but they may naturally pit when placed outdoors. Gentle cleaning with fine steel wool will restore the smooth finish.

Periodically apply a thin coat of Danish or lemon oil with a clean cloth or brush to all hardwood parts. Regular oiling will help protect the wood and retard the natural ageing process.