With the nice hot weather we've been having and still to come you may want to get the best use out of your garden furniture. Here are some tips for cleaning your garden furniture.
Wood
Wooden garden furniture can be so elegant and fitting to its natural surroundings, but it does require upkeep and some tender loving care in the form of cleaning to keep it looking its best. Most furniture made of wood can be cleaned by using the following top tips, with the exception of teak.
Basic Wood Cleaning
Clean wooden garden furniture using a warm solution of sugar soap and a scrubbing brush. For more stubborn areas, you can leave the solution on the furniture for a few minutes before shifting them with the scrubbing brush.
Professional Wood Cleaning Process:
- Mix sugar soap with warm water
- Apply solution to furniture surface
- Let sit for 5-10 minutes for stubborn areas
- Scrub with soft-bristled brush
- Work in the direction of the wood grain
- Rinse thoroughly with hose (not pressure washer)
- Allow to dry completely
Rinsing and Drying
Then using your hosepipe (not pressure washer) rinse off and leave to dry.
Proper Drying Techniques:
- Use gentle water pressure from hose
- Avoid pressure washers that can damage wood
- Allow furniture to air dry completely
- Place in shaded area to prevent warping
- Ensure proper ventilation during drying
Mildew and Mold Removal
If mildew is visible on your garden furniture, a top tip to cleaning your wooden garden furniture is to make a safe and effective solution made up by mixing 1 cup of any household bleach, 1 cup of washing powder and 1/2 bucket of warm water. Soak your furniture with the bleach solution and let it soak for 5 minutes (no longer). Then, simply hose off the solution and the mould, mildew or moss problem should disappear. Please take the necessary precautions when handling bleach solutions.
Mildew Treatment Process:
- Mix 1 cup bleach, 1 cup washing powder, 1/2 bucket warm water
- Apply solution to affected areas
- Let soak for exactly 5 minutes (no longer)
- Rinse thoroughly with hose
- Allow to dry completely
- Wear protective gloves and ensure ventilation
Oil and Sealant Guidelines
Try to avoid putting any oil or sealants on new oak furniture as oils tend to make the wood go black and pick up dirt, while other finishes just sit on the surface, change the texture of the wood and need frequent maintenance. The only exception to this rule is if the wood has been exposed to the elements for more than 10 years on average, the surface grain will have opened up and will need replenishing with oils.
Wood Treatment Guidelines:
- Avoid oils on new oak furniture
- Wait 10+ years before treating weathered wood
- Use appropriate wood treatments for specific types
- Test treatments on small areas first
- Follow manufacturer's instructions carefully
Teak
By contrary, teak, is a popular alternative to some hard and softwood furniture due to its resistance to the outdoor elements. Teak tends not to require protective treatments that other wooden furniture may in the form of varnishes and oiling as teak is naturally resistant to the outdoor extremes. However, there is no getting away from dust and dirt, so it still requires some care!
Basic Teak Cleaning
To remove dirt and dust, hose it off with plain water - that is all that is required.
Simple Teak Maintenance:
- Use plain water for regular cleaning
- Hose down gently to remove surface dirt
- Allow to dry naturally
- Clean weekly or bi-weekly
- No special treatments needed
Stubborn Dirt Removal
To remove stubborn dirt or bird droppings for example, use warm soapy water and a non-abrasive cloth or soft sponge.
Deep Teak Cleaning:
- Use warm soapy water for stubborn stains
- Apply with non-abrasive cloth or soft sponge
- Gently scrub affected areas
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water
- Dry with soft cloth
Cleaning Frequency
Frequency of cleaning depends on the amount of dirt your teak garden furniture is exposed to, but washing it once a week or every two weeks is usually enough to keep it clean and look inviting.
Teak Maintenance Schedule:
- Weekly cleaning for high-use areas
- Bi-weekly cleaning for moderate use
- Monthly deep cleaning for low-use areas
- Adjust frequency based on weather conditions
- Clean immediately after bird droppings
Teak Oil Warning
Please be aware that it is generally not a good idea to use teak oil if your garden furniture is made from grade A teak, because it destroys its natural protective oils. Once you start oiling teak garden furniture you must continue if you want it to remain suitable for outdoor use as most teak oils are made with solvents which replace natural teak oils that maintain the wood's resistance.
Teak Oil Guidelines:
- Avoid teak oil on grade A teak
- Oil destroys natural protective properties
- Once started, must continue oiling
- Use only for lower grade teak
- Consider professional advice before treating
Metal
Oxidation, or rusting, tends to be the most common problem with aluminium or metal furniture. Try some of the below top tips for cleaning metal garden furniture:
Preparation and Cleaning
Prior to cleaning, prepare the area by removing as much of the imperfection as possible using a metal polishing paste or a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water.
Metal Cleaning Process:
- Remove loose rust and dirt first
- Use metal polishing paste or vinegar solution
- Apply with soft cloth or brush
- Work in small sections
- Rinse thoroughly after cleaning
Chemical Safety
Avoid chemicals such as ammonia and trisodium phosphate (TSP); alkaline cleaners can cause oxidation.
Safe Cleaning Products:
- Use mild dish soap and water
- White vinegar solutions are safe
- Avoid ammonia and TSP
- Test cleaners on small areas first
- Use pH-neutral products when possible
Regular Maintenance
Hose down and wash aluminium frequently to preserve its natural lustre.
Aluminum Care:
- Wash regularly with mild soap and water
- Rinse thoroughly after cleaning
- Dry completely to prevent water spots
- Polish with appropriate metal polish
- Store in dry area when not in use
Scratch Removal
To remove any scratch marks, use a soft cloth dampened with a nonabrasive product.
Scratch Repair:
- Use soft cloth with non-abrasive cleaner
- Work gently in circular motions
- Apply light pressure
- Polish with appropriate metal polish
- Consider professional repair for deep scratches
Rust Prevention
To prevent rust, sand the rusted paint and metal down, wipe off the residue with a cloth dampened with mineral spirit. Then, use a rust-resistant primer before painting with rust-resistant paint.
Rust Treatment Process:
- Sand away rust completely
- Clean with mineral spirits
- Apply rust-resistant primer
- Paint with rust-resistant paint
- Allow proper drying time between coats
Professional Treatment
In more dramatic cases, you could consider having your wrought-iron furniture sandblasted or powder-coated for added protection.
Professional Options:
- Sandblasting for complete rust removal
- Powder coating for durable finish
- Professional refinishing services
- Consider cost vs. replacement
- Get multiple quotes for comparison
Protective Coating
A way to protect the metal material after cleaning with water is to apply a coat or two of car wax.
Protective Maintenance:
- Apply car wax after cleaning
- Use 2-3 thin coats
- Buff between coats
- Reapply as needed
- Store in dry, covered area
Storage Tips
To keep your furniture in good condition apply the steps above but also keep them covered and place them in the shed away from water to stop any rust appearing.
Proper Storage:
- Cover furniture when not in use
- Store in dry, ventilated area
- Keep away from moisture
- Use furniture covers or tarps
- Check periodically for rust
Plastic
Nobody likes the look of unsightly, dirty plastic garden furniture which has lost its inviting appeal. Particularly if it was once sparkling white! To help restore the colour and its' shine, try the following top tips for cleaning garden furniture:
Basic Cleaning Solution
Mix 50ml of vinegar with 1L of warm water and wipe down furniture and hose off.
Vinegar Cleaning Process:
- Mix 50ml vinegar with 1L warm water
- Apply with soft cloth or sponge
- Wipe down all surfaces
- Rinse thoroughly with hose
- Allow to dry completely
Stubborn Stain Removal
For more stubborn stains, sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda onto a sponge and gently wipe off the stains.
Baking Soda Treatment:
- Sprinkle baking soda on damp sponge
- Gently scrub stubborn stains
- Work in circular motions
- Rinse thoroughly
- Repeat if necessary
Restoring Shine
Once the furniture is dry, apply some WD-40 and polish to restore the shine. Make sure you wipe down your plastic furniture well to save yourself from staining clothing.
Shine Restoration:
- Apply WD-40 to clean, dry surface
- Polish with soft cloth
- Wipe thoroughly to remove excess
- Test on small area first
- Allow to dry before use
Protective Coating
Then polish with car wax to form a protective layer.
Protective Maintenance:
- Apply car wax after cleaning
- Use thin, even coats
- Buff to desired shine
- Reapply as needed
- Provides UV protection
Additional Professional Tips:
Seasonal Care
- Spring: Deep clean and inspect all furniture
- Summer: Regular maintenance and cleaning
- Fall: Prepare for winter storage
- Winter: Store properly or use covers
General Maintenance
- Clean furniture regularly
- Inspect for damage or wear
- Repair issues promptly
- Store properly when not in use
- Use appropriate covers
Safety Considerations
- Wear protective gloves when cleaning
- Ensure proper ventilation
- Read all product labels
- Test cleaners on small areas
- Keep children away from cleaning chemicals
Professional Services
- Consider professional cleaning for valuable pieces
- Use specialized services for restoration
- Get quotes for major repairs
- Consult experts for antique furniture
- Consider replacement vs. repair
If you require further help or enquiries regarding any of our services, don't hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have via:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 020 3670 9997