Top tips for cleaning garden furniture

Brits are being offered top tips on how to give their garden furniture a new life by following a few simple steps.

The experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have outlined the best ways to clean and preserve different types of outdoor furniture during the busy summer season.

The sunny weather brings Brits to their outdoor spaces to catch some rays and enjoy barbecues with family and friends.

When getting the garden ready for guests, consider giving your patio furniture some TLC by removing rust and debris and giving it a good scrub.

Cleaning solutions vary depending on what type of furniture you’re dealing with – plastic furniture is one of the easiest to clean, while metal surfaces may require a bit more elbow grease.

Chris Bonnett, the founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “Outdoor furniture should be cleaned regularly if you wish to maintain its good condition for years to come.

“Tough weather conditions and built up dirt can take a toll on your patio set, but there are simple and effective solutions to get the furniture back in shape.

“In most cases you can use common household items for sparkling results.”

Here are expert tips on how to breathe new life into different types of garden furniture sets:

Wooden furniture

Wooden furniture contains natural oils which help to protect the surface, however it still needs some looking after.

To keep wood in good condition, a simple soapy wash will do the trick in most cases. Just mix warm water with sugar soap and use a sponge to give it a good scrub. You can also opt for a commercial wood-cleaning product to get rid of general dust and grime.

Rinse the furniture off with a hose pipe, not a pressure washer, to avoid causing damage.

For an extra layer of protection, finish by applying a coat of oil or stain that will preserve the colour of the wood and prevent water, dirt and UV exposure from damaging the surface. This should be done once or twice a year.

Plastic furniture

Plastic furniture is popular because it’s affordable and easy to maintain.

The main issue that you need to deal with is stains, but they can usually be removed with household products and a little scrub.

However pollen and bird droppings can cause more stubborn stains, especially if you have a white furniture set.

You can create an effective cleaning solution by mixing hot water with either bleach, white vinegar, dishwashing soap, laundry detergent or baking soda.

Rattan furniture

Rattan is weather resistant and an easy material to take care of – just use a mixture of water and soap or washing up liquid, wipe it with a soft cloth and give it a rinse.

The tricky part is getting in between the weaves, where dust and mould can build up over time.

A good hack is to use a toothbrush to get rid of the lodged dirt from the tiny gaps. Dust can also be collected by using a vacuum cleaner’s brush attachment.

Metal furniture

Metal furniture sets are very durable, however getting rid of rust can be a real headache.

The first step is to sand down as much of the existing rust as you can with fine sandpaper or a baking soda and water solution.

If you’re dealing with oxidised aluminium, use a metal polishing paste or a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water to get rid of the rust.

An interesting rust removal hack is to use a potato, which contains rust-fighting oxalic acid. Just cut it in half and rub it along the surface.

Once you’ve got rid of the rust, apply a coat of wax for long-lasting protection.