Garden Furniture Care Guide
Not sure how to care for your garden furniture? Our garden furniture care guide is detailed with information on how to protect a variety of different types of garden furniture to ensure you get the most out of your purchase all year round.
How to Care for Garden Furniture
Great for relaxing in the garden or enjoying time with family, furniture is a must-have for any garden. However, it can be particularly hard to decide which kind to purchase.
If you are looking to update your garden or patio area with some new furniture, it's important to look into the different materials available and how to protect them throughout the year.
There are various types of garden furniture to choose from, and each requires a different level of care. This level of care will also be dependent on the climate you live in. From very low-maintenance materials, to those that need a little TLC throughout the year, our garden furniture care guide will provide you with all the information on garden furniture protection you need.
Benefits of Synthetic Woven and Rattan Garden Furniture
Synthetic rattan furniture doesn’t require a lot of care. To clean, either hose down on a low pressure setting or wipe clean with a non-foaming cleaning fluid, as foaming cleansers can get trapped in the intertwined wicker. If the frame is made of a different material, you will need to care for it differently, for example, by using oils for wood and protecting paint for metal. During the colder winter months, it is normal for synthetic rattan furniture to stiffen. This is nothing to worry about as it will become soft again once the weather begins to warm.
Natural rattan furniture is a popular choice for both the garden and the conservatory as it looks fantastic. Unlike synthetic rattan, natural rattan is not as weather-proof and can be affected by sun exposure and moisture. To ensure the longevity of your furniture, it’s best to store it away in a dry place during the winter months to prevent any water damage or mold.
Rattan furniture requires a little more care than synthetic furniture due to its natural material. Because natural rattan is not waterproof, a water sealant and a protective cover will help the material better withstand the outdoor elements. To clean the furniture, it should be regularly wiped with a damp cloth, and any dirt or dust in between the weave can be removed with a soft brush or toothbrush.
Benefits of Wooden Garden Furniture
Wooden furniture is perfect for the garden as it is weather-resistant which means it’s able to withstand the often-unpredictable summer weather. There are various types of wooden outdoor furniture, but the most common variety is teak. Each type of wooden furniture naturally ages over time, which adds character and makes it unique. This means it is normal for wood to form cracks along the grain and change color after being left outside.
To make sure you get the best out of your wooden garden furniture, it’s important to take care of it throughout the year. Hardwood furniture like teak can be scrubbed with warm soapy water or a hardwood cleaner to remove any built-up dirt. It can also be hosed down with a pressure washer. There are various ways to preserve wood and prevent it from looking worn. As hardwood ages and is exposed to the natural elements, most types will turn a silver color. To keep this lovely natural color, opt for a clear teak oil (or hardwood oil if you don’t have teak furniture). Alternatively, to add a new lease of life to your weathered teak furniture, choose a wood paint or stained oil which are available in various colors.
Benefits of Metal Garden Furniture
Metal garden furniture is very hardwearing, which is perfect for withstanding various weather conditions. The most common types of metal outdoor furniture are aluminum and steel. Both are easy to care for and can be simply wiped clean with warm soapy water using a gentle cloth.
The great thing about aluminum furniture is that it won’t rust. However, over time, the coating on aluminum furniture may change color or peel. To prevent this happening, it’s best to put the furniture away during the winter months to stop the outside elements damaging it.
The majority of steel garden furniture is finished using a powder coating, which helps to protect the material from rust, peeling and erosion. If your steel furniture does begin to show signs of rust, this can be removed using steel wool and touched up with some metal protectant paint in a similar color.