All-purpose Furniture Care

Getting the obvious out of the way first, a great way to protect your furniture is with a strong simple cover. Brands like Kettler will have specific built-to-fit covers for their sets making the choice straightforward. For other sets you will need to find generalist all-purpose covers big enough for your set to prevent bird droppings, dirt and dust buildup.

Cushions can be a tricky task, if you’re expecting a bad weather spell it’s always recommended to bring your cushions indoors beforehand. Alternatively, you can find Storage Boxes both instore and online to quickly put your pads away after use.

But sometimes, it’s not the weather that causes the problem. Spills are bound to happen, and the best way to remove them is with warm soapy water and a sponge and to simply air dry the cover. For more stubborn stains, you can remove furniture covers and hand wash with a mild laundry detergent. We advise against machine washing. Make sure you allow them to dry fully before storing away to avoid any chance of damp or mould.

If you need a quick resupply of cleaning products, browse Online or visit your Local British Garden Centre to find just what you need.

Maintaining Metal and Rattan Furniture

We recommend against using a pressure washer for furniture, as you could split the weave or damage the coating of the metal framework. Instead, both can be cleaned with warm, soapy water with a cloth or soft brush. Give your furniture a good rinse afterwards and leave to air dry.

With metal furniture you can also use Car Shampoo if you have some left in the shed. Most modern metal furniture is naturally rust-resistant for good protection all year round. Despite this it’s still in your best interest to use a cover.

The same can be said for all-weather weave, these are designed to withstand anything the British weather can muster but it’s still best to use a cover to stop stains and clutter gathering.

Treating Wooden Furniture

Wooden furniture can fade and lose is colour if left untreated – particularly acacia. Part of wood’s charm is that it’s an organic material that develops its own, unique character. Over time, acacia will naturally weather to a grey colour with minor splits and cracks – a natural, expected process.

Wood can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a brush to remove any debris, then afterwards rinse and leave to fully dry.

Wood will fade, but you can delay this process as long as possible by treating your wooden furniture twice a year. A high-quality teak oil provides a lovely mat finish and will help keep the colour. Ensure the surface is clean and dry before applying the oil.

Cleaning your Tabletop

Different tabletops will need unique treatment to keep their shine, here’s a quick rundown of everything you’ll need:

Glass & Ceramic – A simple, good quality glass cleaner will keep these clean and shiny and they won’t need any other maintenance.

Mosaic – Clean using warm, soapy water and leave to dry. We recommend using a high-quality exterior tile sealer once a year to help repel moisture ingress in the grout joints.

Aluminium – Clean using warm, soapy water – nice and easy!

Polystone – Spills should be wiped up as quickly as possible and the tabletop should be cleaned with warm soapy water. If you are particularly worried you can also use an exterior stone sealer to help maintain its looks.