Having an outdoor area to relax in is a real luxury. Gardens are amazing spaces to entertain and unwind. Garden furniture facilitates this, but it’s important to understand how to clean garden furniture to keep it looking great for years to come.
No matter what your garden furniture is made out of, it will need some looking after. Whatever type of garden furniture you have, whether it’s rattan or wood, it will require maintenance and care to ensure it lasts. Well, fear not, as we’re on hand to help.
How to clean rattan garden furniture
Rattan garden furniture is extremely attractive in any garden, and it’s also very easy to look after. Most modern rattan furniture is made from either High Density Polyethylene (HDPR or PE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or Polyurethane (PU). However, it’s not uncommon to have natural rattan furniture too.
Caring for rattan dining and seating sets
The other thing to look out for with your rattan garden furniture is any glass dining tops or upholstery that will require additional care. Many of our rattan dining sets feature sleek glass tops, which are ideal for socialising or enjoying relaxed meals in the great outdoors.
To keep these clean, simply wipe any stains away with a damp cloth, wash down with soapy water, rinse and leave to dry in the sun or dry with absorbent cloths.
Additionally, many of our rattan sofa sets and chairs have soft cushions. Over time, these can become stained or dirty. To look after these, you should adhere to the care instructions attached to each one.
Most will be machine washable, so you can simply remove the cover and slip it in the wash. Then, when it comes out, it will be good as new! You can even store cushions in our large garden cushion/storage rattan box to keep them dry and clean when not in use or protect your furniture with garden furniture covers.
How to clean aluminium garden furniture
When it comes to how to clean metal garden furniture, it’s relatively low maintenance, especially if you choose aluminium garden furniture.
Our aluminium furniture ranges offer all-weather protection. They’re powder-coated, which creates a protective finish. This ensures that your garden furniture is more durable and higher-quality than other non-powder coated garden sets.
Aluminium is also easy to clean and only requires you to give it a quick wash with warm soapy water to get rid of any marks or debris. Of course, you can make things even easier and protect your furniture from the elements with our range of garden furniture covers.
How to clean teak garden furniture
Teak is a popular garden furniture material, thanks to its durability and low-maintenance. Cleaning teak garden furniture usually only requires a wipe down with warm, soapy water or hosing down every couple of weeks when required. This will help you remove any stains or dust and prevent mildew build up.
If you want to maintain the original golden hues of teak garden furniture and prevent it from fading to a more silver tone, you can also use tung oil. Apply this with a paintbrush after the furniture has been thoroughly washed and dried.
How to clean plastic garden furniture
Arguably the easiest to maintain, plastic furniture simply needs a regular cleaning with soap and water. This is especially true if the furniture is light in colour, as marks and stains will show up easier.
How to clean wooden garden furniture
Furniture made from broadleaved hardwood trees tends to be the most durable. Oak, ash, and teak furniture all contains high levels of natural oils, helping to protect it from the elements. Covering it can help but if left uncovered, the only maintenance required will be to wash off the algae and lichens that will grow on the wood. You only need to do this about once a year, and you can use a brush and soapy water to do it.
Softwood furniture, usually made from pinewood, is another slightly less costly option if you’re looking for good, wooden furniture. However, softwood garden furniture will need slightly more looking after than hardwood furniture will.
To keep it in good condition, wash the surfaces down regularly with a wood-cleaning product. You should also treat the wood with a wood stain, as this will have preservatives in it to help keep the wood in good condition. You’ll need to do this about once a year. When applying the preservative, pay close attention to any horizontal surfaces. This is where water will collect and, if allowed to settle, can warp the wood.