Summer is here and it's time to enjoy your outdoor space to the fullest. If you have some outdoor furniture sets, you will want them to be as clean as can be if you have any guests around.
In this article, we provide some tips and tricks to get your garden furniture clean based on the material. Before we begin cleaning, always refer to any manufacturer information specific to your product. This is to ensure any tips are appropriate for the material and it doesn’t risk voiding the warranty.
Wooden furniture
Wooden furniture is a popular choice amongst homeowners due to its simple, natural appearance. If you have any dirt on your furniture, start by using a clean cloth (or a soft brush) with some warm water and mild detergent. Scrub the affected area until the marking has gone. Once it has gone, rinse with some water and dry with a dry cloth.
You can also add extra protection and preserve the wood by applying wood sealer to the furniture. Follow any advice in your user manual and on the sealer instructions to correctly apply it.
Metal furniture
Metal furniture can be easily cleaned by using a sponge or cloth with some warm water and mild dish soap. Simply wash the area until it is clean. Metal furniture can develop rust over time as a result of the environment and moisture in the air. Rust is not typically covered under a manufacturing warranty so if you do notice rust, we would recommend consulting a professional. However, you can touch it up by yourself by using rust converter paint.
Plastic furniture
A more affordable option for the garden is plastic furniture. These can easily be cleaned with warm water and dish soap by scrubbing the dirt and stains. Once rinse and dried, you should quickly see results.
However, plastic can sometimes develop discolouration or stains. This can be tackled by creating a water and baking soda paste which you can rub on the area and rinse off. This should help to remove any tough dirt which could be causing discolouration and help to brighten the colour.
Wicker furniture
There are different types of wicker furniture available, such as rattan and bamboo. Due to the nature of the furniture, they can be difficult to clean as you need to take care not to damage the weaving. To carefully clean this, we recommend using a soft brush to brush away any debris. Then, use some warm water and a soft cloth to wipe the furniture down. Alternatively, you can use a hose on a gentle setting to wash the furniture down.
We recommend avoiding chemical-based cleaning products to ensure the longevity of the wicker.
Cushions and fabric
You may have cushions or fabric throws for your garden furniture to add comfort and aesthetic. However, these can get dirty quickly. You can avoid too much dirt by bringing it inside overnight or storing them in a suitable covering. To clean the cushions, we recommend wiping off any dirt with a cloth. If there is still dirt, then refer to any cleaning labels to choose which cleaning method to use between spot-cleaning any markings with a cloth or putting the covers in the washing machine.
Conclusion
Whether you’re cleaning to prepare for the summer or cleaning before storage, by following our suggestions, you can see that cleaning your garden furniture doesn’t have to be a stressful task.
Always remember to consult your product information to get the best cleaning instructions for your furniture.
You can view all of our garden furniture here.