Naturally, all of our garden furniture is built to withstand the elements and, with a little care, will remain looking good for years to come. Here’s our guide to keeping all outdoor furniture.
How to clean your outdoor furniture
If, as we recommend, you plan to store your garden furniture indoors or under a breathable cover during the winter months, we suggest giving it a good clean and allowing it to dry fully before packing it away. If your furniture is kept outside all year round, it will inevitably take on the dirt of winter, so make the most of spring’s longer days to give your garden furniture a spruce up ready for lots of summer use.
HOW TO CLEAN WOODEN OUTDOOR FURNITURE
Although there are lots of wood-friendly cleaners available to buy, harsh chemicals will strip the wood’s natural supply of protective oils. We recommend simply mixing a mild solution of gentle washing up liquid and warm water, then using a soft sponge or cloth to wipe away any accumulated dirt and green algae. Finish by rinsing with cold water but never use a pressure washer, as this could destroy the wood’s fibres.
HOW TO CLEAN WOVEN OUTDOOR FURNITURE
All our woven faux rattan furniture is made from hardwearing polyethylene. Reassuringly authentic looking, this material is also UV and water-resistant, however, as with all outdoor furniture, we do recommend giving it a good spring clean once a year. Warm soapy water and a soft sponge are all you need, but be sure to rinse with cold water and dry thoroughly to prevent soap stains and don’t be tempted to use a pressure washer.
HOW TO CLEAN METAL OUTDOOR FURNITURE
No matter what type of metal you are dealing with, start the cleaning process with a gentle solution of soap (a mild washing up liquid will do) and water along with a soft brush or cloth to deal with any loose dirt. Rinse off with cold water (not a pressure washer) to dislodge any remaining grime and leave to air dry completely.
How to clean your outdoor furniture
After the yearly clean, you may wish to support your outdoor furniture’s defences against the elements. Although we always recommend storing your outdoor furniture in a breathable cover out of season, here are some tips on how to protect wooden and metal garden furniture.
HOW TO MAINTAIN WOODEN GARDEN FURNITURE
Eucalyptus wood is a strong tropical hardwood that is naturally weather-resistant due to its high oil content. To improve the longevity of your eucalyptus furniture we recommend washing it well ahead of the season’s use, with a gentle scrub and warm soapy water, followed by a thorough rinse. This removes any algae and dirt to restore the timber’s surface, keeping it in good condition. Our acacia wood styles have been treated with a PU sealer and an acrylic topcoat so you do not need to treat the acacia elements before use. However, refreshing the PU coating will help maintain the colour, and this can be done yearly. Lightly sand back the old coating and replace it. Wooden styles do expand and shrink under different weather conditions which might lead to micro fractures in the wood which is perfectly natural and minimal. We also recommend you tighten the screws every now and then. After two years or so all hardwoods will naturally age gracefully to a more silver-grey tone.
HOW TO PROTECT METAL FURNITURE FROM RUST
Although slim, there is still a chance that even powder-coated aluminium and stainless steel will rust if exposed to the elements for long periods of time. Sometimes, all it can take is a small scratch in the coating for corrosion to occur. But don’t worry, once you’ve given it a thoroughly good clean and left it to air dry completely, there are a few ways you can protect your furniture from future rust. First, apply a rust-resistant primer to stop the rust from spreading any further, then add a layer of clear car wax as an easy way to protect it from further damage.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF OUTDOOR CUSHIONS
Most of our outdoor cushions with our outdoor sets are easy drain which allows them to dry quickly from the morning dew or any light shower but overnight, and during periods of wet weather, these cushions should be brought inside. Unless specific care instructions read otherwise, all our outdoor cushions are spot clean only. Use a mild solution of warm water and gentle laundry detergent with a soft cloth to blot stains out as soon as they occur.
HOW TO STORE OUTDOOR FURNITURE IN WINTER
We strongly recommend that all garden furniture is stored or covered for winter. This will prolong the life of your set and prevent dirt from building up, making your life easier come the spring. If you choose to use a cover, always use a breathable one and ensure your furniture has been cleaned and is completely dry before covering to prevent mildew and mould developing. If stowing indoors, ensure the space is dry, not heated and has a good airflow to prevent moisture from building up.
You can discover more about the different materials for our outdoor furniture in our Outdoor Furniture Buying Guide.