Spring has sprung and after the recent sunny weather now is a great time to clean garden furniture to get it ready for months of outdoor entertaining.
These tips work whether you have got a fence and lawn combo, an overgrown terrace garden or a small balcony.
Start with some quick wins by getting everything spick and span outside – by removing weeds, mowing the lawn and pressure washing any grime from patios, decks, pathways and balconies. It is fun seeing months of dirt wash away in seconds.
Now for the furniture.
Whether it has been exposed to the elements, shoved in the shed or left under the covers, all outdoor furniture will need a bit of TLC.
Here are 5 tips for getting it looking as good as new from Laura Carter from the online retailer Furniturebox.
1 Scrub up but go gentle
The first tip applies to any garden furniture, regardless of its material. Give it a good dusting to brush off and remove general dirt, dust and cobwebs. Use a soft bristle brush – an old but clean washing-up brush is ideal, as it won’t scratch the material. Wipe everything down with a soft, damp cloth and avoid using abrasive cleaning products, including bleach on any outdoor furniture, even on white plastic as these chemicals can corrode surfaces.
2 Keep wooden garden furniture moss and splinter free
Wooden outdoor furniture is always a timeless look, meaning it will last through cycles of trends, making it a more planet-and-pocket-friendly option, but its organic nature means it is more susceptible to damp-rot and moss. You can wash off solid wooden outdoor furniture with a garden hose and some soapy water followed by a good scrubbing. Use a pressure washer to get rid of more stubborn moss.
Be careful not to get too close – a powerful hose or pressure washer can cause flaking and splintering of older wood if not careful. Once clean and dry, you can prolong the life of wooden items by applying a protective oil or stain which will help prevent flaking. Lightly sand the surface first, wipe down to remove dust, and then apply your chosen protective oil or stain in the direction of the wood grain.
3 Get plastic garden furniture gleaming
For a budget-friendly hack that uses household items that can be purchased for around £1 from most supermarkets, mix 1-part baking soda with 16 parts warm water. This works really well on plastic chairs and tables. For more stubborn spots, sprinkle baking soda then rub in a gentle circular motion. Wash and wipe down.
Mildew spots can be treated with a spray of undiluted white vinegar. These ingredients are also far less harmful to the environment than many other cleaning products with harsher chemicals, so you can wash these down the drain without worry.
4 Combat rust on metal garden furniture
Metal garden furniture is usually designed to be a little more hard wearing, which is always great for the environment but it can benefit from some extra love to prolong its life. Hose off any dirt then use steel wool to remove rust and wipe away any debris. Then apply anti-rust paint for exterior use to the furniture (or metal railings), taking extra care on any areas where scratches might have gone through the existing top layers of paint. You can even use a clear anti-rust spray as a sealant if you want to preserve the existing lived-in rustic look. Once dry, add a layer of car paste wax with a soft cloth to provide extra weather-proofing protection and a bit of shine.
5 Don’t camp out with the cushions
Avoid leaving garden furniture cushions outside overnight and always store them in a cool, dry place when not in use, as many outdoor cushions are only splash-proof. If cushion covers can be removed, they should be washed in a cool 30°C wash to avoid shrinkage. This will not only help preserve your cushion covers but is a lot friendlier to the environment while still ensuring the job gets done.
Don’t use bleach or iron as this can weaken the fabric and warp the shape, making it harder to get the pads back inside the covers. Don’t wash any foam cushion fillings as this can lead to mould and mildew. Prevention is better than reaction here.
You can prolong and protect cushion seat covers with some outdoor fabric protector – go for a non-toxic and environmentally friendly option that doesn’t contain PFAs, petroleum or harmful aerosols. Silicon dioxide is a naturally occurring and more eco-friendly ingredient to look for. It’s also worth investing in a weatherproof cover to go over the entire outdoor set to add another level of protection to your furniture.
