How to clean your patio and garden furniture

Picture this: the sun is shining, your music is blaring, and all you want to do is finish up your work and chores so you can go out into the garden and enjoy yourself. But you probably haven’t been enjoying the great outdoors as much over the last few months, so your patio — and furniture — may be looking rather grubby.

Don’t stress! Our handy guide will help you clean your patio and garden furniture so you can relax outside in no time.

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How to clean your decking or patio

Decking

A build-up of leaves and debris means moisture can become trapped, which promotes mould growth and rot, even on wood that’s been treated. Use a stiff broom or a leaf blower to keep them clear.

For a deep clean, use a decking cleaner solution. Decking made of hardwood — teak, walnut, mahogany or oak — does not usually need preserving. Wipe over with teak oil twice a year to help maintain the colour. Softer woods, such as pine and cedar, do need preserving. Apply a wood preservative, followed by a varnish.

To restore painted and varnished wood, rub down with fine sandpaper, then reapply the coating.

Paving slabs

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Scrub using a stiff brush and a patio cleaner (we recommend HG Patio Cleaner). Alternatively, use a pressure washer that has a patio cleaning attachment.

GHI Tip: If you are planning to blitz the slabs with a pressure washer, take care not to remove the pointing between paving stones.

How to clean your garden furniture

Cast aluminium

Wipe clean with a solution of washing up liquid. Touch up chipped paint with an enamel metal paint, such as Hammerite, rubbing off any loose paint first.

Cast and wrought iron

Rub down with wire wool and repaint if necessary, first with anti-rust primer and then with exterior metal paint.

Wood

Hardwoods – teak, cedar, mahogany or oak – do not usually need preserving. Wipe over with teak oil twice a year to help preserve their colour. Softer woods such as pine, ash, elm and beech, do need preserving. Apply a proprietary wood preservative, followed by a varnish. To restore painted and varnished wood, rub down with fine sandpaper, then reapply the coating.

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GHI Tip: If you don’t have a garage or shed to store everything away, look after your outdoor furniture with protective covers to prolong their life and avoid damage from the elements.

Resin

For plastic furniture, use a detergent solution and plastic brush with softer bristles to clean. Use a mild bleach solution on any staining. Alternatively, use a pressure washer.

GHI Tip: If there are stains and dirt on chair seats that just won’t budge, cover them with decorative seat cushions and an outdoor rug. Your guests will never know what lurks beneath!

Tubular Metal

Wash down plastic coating with a warm detergent solution. Protect with a light application of wax polish. Store indoors.

Cane

If you’ve left this outdoors all winter, you could be looking at buying a new set. The advice is never to leave cane outside, as it’s just not robust enough.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor