Lynsey Crombie gives tips on cleaning garden furniture
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As temperatures soar this summer many of us will be looking forward to using our gardens again. But, it can easily get dirty if left outside for long periods. To make sure you impress at your next BBQ here are three easy hacks to leave your garden furniture gleaming.
Alfresco dining has spiked in popularity over the past year. Brits have embraced outdoor entertaining in order to follow the latest coronavirus guidelines.
Even now that all legal restrictions on social gatherings have been lifted, the safest way to meet loved ones is still outside.
If you have neglected your garden furniture over the past year and grime has built up on them, don’t worry. You can easily get rid of the dirt.
If in your frustration you have been tempted to use a pressure washer, think again.
This might steadily see off dirt but if your garden furniture is made of wood, it will damage it.
It can also strip it of any protective coatings, leaving your furniture susceptible to moisture and then rot.
Here are some simple cleaning methods which won’t damage your garden furniture.
How to clean garden furniture
The method you employ to clean your garden furniture will depend on what material it is made from.
Some cleaning methods could damage furniture depending on what it’s made from.
With all furniture, first dust away any cobwebs and dust. With hardy materials, such as iron or plastic, you can even use the brush head of a hoover to quickly do this.
Then take a wet sponge and gently remove any remaining surface dirt.
Your furniture will then need further attention to ensure you get a deep clean.
How to clean wooden garden furniture
Make up a solution of warm water and washing up liquid, dip in a sponge and start to remove deep-set dirt.
If you have stubborn dirt spots, you may need to use an old toothbrush or scrubbing brush.
Be careful if your wood is stained or has protective treatments on it, you don’t want to remove these.
To finish, take a hosepipe. Rinse off and leave it to dry thoroughly in the sun.
If your furniture has visible mould on it, you will need to clean it with a stronger solution.
Carefully mix one cup of any household bleach with one cup of washing powder in half a bucket of warm water.
Soak your furniture with the solution, letting it soak for a maximum of five minutes.
Finally hose off the solution and the mould should come off with it.
How to clean iron furniture
If it’s just a question of cleaning off dirt from your iron or metal furniture, simply follow the same method as with wooden furniture with a solution of warm water and washing up liquid.
But if rusting has occurred this can be a lot harder to get rid of.
To rid your furniture of rust, pour white vinegar evenly over the surface of the furniture and allow it to set in; one hour should be sufficient, then wipe it away with a cloth, and the rust should come off. You may need to repeat this if necessary.
How to clean plastic furniture
Plastic furniture is by far the easiest to clean, and all you’ll need is a bucket of warm soapy water and a sponge.
Often all it takes to clean cobwebs and dust from plastic furniture is a vacuum cleaner or a duster, as dirt doesn’t settle into cracks and crevices in the same way as it does with wooden or iron furniture.
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