Spring is officially sprung. We’ve even had a few days of sunshine! So there's no better time to give your garden a much-needed refresh.
Whether you’ve got a new build fence and lawn combo, an overgrown terrace garden or a small balcony, these tips will help you tidy up and have your outdoor furniture looking tip-top.
This blog is a part of our ‘Get Ahead With Your Garden’ series as we lean big-time into the garden overhaul season here at Furniturebox HQ. Check out the accompanying blogs on styling your garden by size and by trend at the end.
What Is The Best Way To Clean Garden Furniture?
The best way to clean garden furniture depends on the material, but most outdoor furniture can be cleaned using warm soapy water, a soft brush and a non-abrasive cloth. Start by removing loose dirt and debris before washing the surface gently. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as these can damage protective finishes and shorten the lifespan of your furniture. For wooden, metal and plastic garden furniture, regular cleaning and protective treatments can help keep your outdoor space looking its best all year round.
Tidying and Cleaning Tips For The Wider Garden Space
If you’re anything like me, you probably haven’t looked at your outdoor space since some time in October. So now’s the perfect time to get everything spic and span. A tidy backdrop means you can really go to town with the garden furniture and décor.
Garden Refresh Quick Wins
Weeding Start by pulling out those pesky weeds. It's a quick job that makes a big difference.
Lawn Mowing Give that lawn a fresh trim. It instantly makes your garden look neat and tidy.
Pressure Washing Blast away dirt and grime from patios, decks and pathways with a pressure washer. It's incredibly satisfying and leaves surfaces looking like new.
Canva Pro
Bigger Garden Refresh Projects
Wood Treatments Protect and revitalise your sheds, decks, and fences with a good wood treatment. It not only enhances the appearance but also extends the life of the wood. Wood treatments come in all sorts of colours, so you can go for natural wood stains or add colour.
Rust Treatments For metal furniture or railings, use a wire brush to remove loose bits, and then add a rust treatment to remove any corrosion and add a weather-protecting layer. Go for a clear treatment if you like the aged rustic look, or apply a fresh coat of metal paint to keep them looking their best.
New Bedding Plants If you've got the budget and the motivation, you can really go to town with the planting, but some simple and easy-to-maintain bedding flowers like pansies or begonias in big pots can inject some immediate colour.
Canva Pro
Garden Furniture Cleaning Tip 1 – Scrub Up But Go Gentle
The first tip applies to any garden furniture, regardless of its material. Give it a good dusting to brush off and remove general dirt, dust and cobwebs. Use a soft bristle brush – an old but clean washing-up brush is ideal, as it won’t scratch the material. Wipe everything down with a soft, damp cloth and avoid using abrasive cleaning products, including bleach on any outdoor furniture, even on white plastic as these chemicals can corrode surfaces.
Garden Furniture Cleaning Tip 2 - Keep Wooden Garden Furniture Moss & Splinter Free
Wooden outdoor furniture is always a timeless look, meaning it will last through cycles of trends, making it more planet-and-pocket-friendly option, but its organic nature means it is more susceptible to damp-rot and moss. You can wash off solid wooden outdoor furniture with a garden hose and some soapy water followed by a good scrubbing. Use a pressure washer to get rid of more stubborn moss. Be careful not to get too close, a powerful hose or pressure washer can cause flaking and splintering of older wood if not careful. Once clean and dry, you can prolong the life of wooden items by applying a protective oil or stain which will help prevent flaking. Lightly sand the surface first, wipe down to remove dust, and then apply your chosen protective oil or stain in the direction of the wood grain.
Canva Pro
Garden Furniture Cleaning Tip 3 –Get Plastic Garden Furniture Gleaming
For a budget-friendly hack that uses household items that can be purchased for around £1 from most supermarkets, mix 1-part baking soda with 16 parts warm water. This works really well on plastic chairs and tables. For more stubborn spots, sprinkle baking soda then rub in a gentle circular motion. Wash and wipe down. Mildew spots can be treated with a spray of undiluted white vinegar. These ingredients are also far less harmful to the environment than many other cleaning products with harsher chemicals, so you can wash these down the drain without worry.
Canva Pro
Garden Furniture Cleaning Tip 4 - Combat Rust On Metal Garden Furniture
Metal garden furniture is usually designed to be a little more hard wearing, which is always great for the environment but it can benefit from some extra love to prolong its life. Hose off any dirt then use steel wool to remove rust and wipe away any debris. Then apply anti-rust paint for exterior use to the furniture (or metal railings), taking extra care on any areas where scratches might have gone through the existing top layers of paint. You can even use a clear anti-rust spray as a sealant if you want to preserve the existing lived-in rustic look. Once dry, add a layer of car paste wax with a soft cloth to provide extra weather-proofing protection and a bit of shine.
Canva Pro
Garden Furniture Cleaning Tip 5 - Don’t Camp Out With The Cushions
Avoid leaving garden furniture cushions out on the furniture and always store them in a cool, dry place when not in use, as many outdoor cushions are only splash-proof. If cushion covers can be removed, they should be washed in a cool 30°C wash to avoid shrinkage. This will not only help preserve your cushion covers but is a lot friendlier to the environment while still ensuring the job gets done. Don’t use bleach or iron them as this can weaken the fabric and warp the shape, making it harder to get the pads back inside the covers. Don’t wash any foam cushion fillings as this can lead to mould and mildew. Prevention is better than reaction here! You can prolong and protect cushion seat covers with some outdoor fabric protector - go for a non-toxic and environmentally friendly option that doesn’t contain PFAs, petroleum or harmful aerosols. Silicon dioxide is a naturally occurring and more eco-friendly ingredient to look for. It’s also worth investing in a weatherproof cover to go over the entire outdoor set to add another level of protection to your furniture.
How Often Should You Clean Garden Furniture?
One of the most common questions homeowners ask is how often garden furniture should be cleaned. While outdoor furniture is designed to withstand the elements, regular maintenance helps keep it looking its best and can significantly extend its lifespan.
As a general rule, it's worth giving your garden furniture a quick wipe-down every few weeks during spring and summer to remove pollen, dust, bird droppings and other surface debris. A more thorough clean at the beginning and end of the outdoor season can help prevent long-term staining, mould and weather damage.
If your furniture sits beneath trees or in a particularly damp or shaded area, you may need to clean it more frequently to prevent moss, algae and mildew build-up. Keeping furniture covered when not in use can also reduce the amount of cleaning required and help protect it from the unpredictable British weather.
Garden Furniture Cleaning FAQs
How do you clean garden furniture without damaging it?
Use warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth or brush. Avoid abrasive cleaning products, steel wool and harsh chemicals unless specifically recommended for the furniture material.
Can I pressure wash garden furniture?
Pressure washing can be effective on some wooden furniture and hard surfaces, but it should be used carefully. High pressure can damage older wood, remove protective coatings and cause splintering.
What removes green algae from garden furniture?
A mixture of warm water and mild soap is often enough for light algae growth. More stubborn patches can usually be treated with white vinegar before rinsing thoroughly.
Can garden furniture stay outside all year?
Many metal, rattan and plastic garden furniture sets are designed for year-round outdoor use. However, using a weatherproof cover and storing cushions indoors will help extend their lifespan.
How can I stop garden furniture cushions going mouldy?
Always allow cushions to dry fully before storing them and keep them in a cool, dry location when not in use.
