Lynsey Crombie gives tips on cleaning garden furniture
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Garden furniture is a staple feature in the summer months but it can often be neglected once the cooler autumn weather arrives. Leaving it exposed to harsh wind, rain and stormy conditions can cause significant damage to both the structure and appearance of outdoor furniture, but it can be easily prevented with a bit of TLC before the cold sets in. Here’s exactly how to clean and store every type of garden furniture to keep it in tact for years to come.
How to clean garden furniture
Outdoor seating and dining items are often a big investment for the garden, so it’s important to take good care of them to get your money’s worth of use.
Autumn is a crucial time for doing just that as the unpredictable weather arrives and we spend less time outside.
While a quick pressure wash or hose down may seem like enough to clean up items before they are packed away, experts at 4 Seasons Outdoors explained that it’s not always effective.
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However, you don’t need to over-complicate things either. In fact, you only need two very simple ingredients to clean everything from teak to rattan, and even stainless steel furniture.
Wicker and rope
Wicker and rope garden furniture requires little maintenance, making it an effortless choice to spruce up any garden.
According to the experts at 4 Seasons Outdoors, the best way to maintain the material is to wipe it occasionally throughout summer and do a deep clean once a year.
Autumn is the best time to do this to lift out dirt and grime before covering it up throughout winter.
The furniture experts said: “Cleaning it once a year with warm soapy water is enough to keep it clean and beautiful.”
Top-quality synthetic rattan is perfectly safe to keep outside all year round too.
Teak
Teak wood has natural protective oil which makes this striking material very weather resistant.
While it is easy to keep clean, regular maintenance is essential to preserve the sleek finish of the wood.
The experts at 4 Seasons Outdoors said: “With teak wood, you can choose to treat the wood with special teak maintenance products, preserving the authentic colour. If you don’t treat the wood, it will eventually become the familiar greyed colour.”
Specialised products are useful, though linseed oil is a good alternative.
Once your furniture is clean and oiled, it is best to cover tables and chairs if you have nowhere to store them either in a sheltered space outside or inside a garage.
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It is always advised to use a material that allows the wood to breathe if you choose fabric coverings.
Heated rooms should also be avoided at all costs to keep teak furniture looking its best until next summer.
According to Teak Warehouse, this is because the heat can dry out the wood and cause cracks, as it is normal for this type of wood to expand and contract with time, and changes in weather.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is very easy to keep clean and it doesn’t even require deep cleaning to maintain the shiny finish.
All you need to do is clean the surfaces with warm water and mild dish soap and dry thoroughly to avoid streaks.
Protective covers, like patio covers, tarpaulin, or even rubberised dining table pads are best used to prevent weather damage in the autumn and winter.
How to clean garden furniture cushions
It is often recommended to keep the cushions of your garden set inside over the autumn and winter to prevent dampness, dirt and mould from ruining the fabric.
The furniture experts at 4 Seasons Outdoors said: “We do suggest that if you do leave your cushions outside that you stand the cushions upright so excess rainwater runs off of them.
“Light rain will be ok as the water should just run off the fabric.”
If your cushions become dirty or watermarked they can easily be cleaned using either warm, soapy water and a damp cloth or by removing the covers and washing them at 30C in a machine with normal detergent.
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