Garden furniture THAT LASTS FOR YEARS
Latest tips from the GHI on how to protect your investments...
To restore weatherbeaten wooden furniture, wash with warm, soapy water, then lightly sand to remove any flaking. When completely dry, paint with teak oil or another preservative.
Softwoods, such as pine, need treating with a preservative every season – Ronseal and Cuprinol have extensive ranges of clear and coloured products. Make sure furniture is clean and dry before treating, and pay special attention to the base of the legs to stop water from travelling upwards.
Hardwood – eg, teak and iroko – are more hardwearing, but treat with oil or an exterior varnish to preserve the colour and slow down the weathering process. If left, they will eventually turn silvergrey and start to crack.
Plastic and rattan-effect
doesn’t need much aftercare – just wipe it down with a soft cloth and a solution of washing-up liquid. Use a soft brush to loosen dirt in between the weave. Spray with water from a hose and apply a light detergent. Dry thoroughly.
Clean metal furniture with hot, soapy water and a scrubbing brush. Dry thoroughly to prevent streaks and watermarks. If the coating becomes damaged, remove any flaking paint with a wire brush and treat with anti-rust paint or metal paint, such as Dulux or Sandtex.
Wipe down cane, rattan or bamboo furniture regularly with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water, taking care not to overwet. Use a toothbrush or tweezers to remove any debris caught between the weaves. If it’s unpainted and beginning to crack, brush with boiled linseed oil to restore.
Cement fibre furniture is made from natural materials, including cellulose fibres. It’s not porous and has a coating, so can be wiped clean, but mop up stains straight away. It’s resistant to frost and UV so can be left outside all year.