Maintaining your garden bench: keeping it beautiful for years

A garden bench sits outside all season long and has to contend with rain, sun, bird droppings and green algae. With the right care, it will remain beautiful for years. How you maintain it depends on the material.

Maintaining a wooden garden bench

A wooden garden bench — often made of teak, acacia or eucalyptus — requires the most maintenance. Want to keep the warm colour? Follow this schedule:

1. Beginning of season: clean the bench with a soft brush and water. For stubborn dirt, use the Star brite Teak & Hardwood Cleaner.
2. Leave to dry: at least 24 hours.
3. Apply oil: apply teak oil with a cloth, along the grain.
4. End of season: cover the bench with a protective cover or store it in a dry space.

You'll find more tips in our guide on maintaining teak garden furniture.

Maintaining an aluminium garden bench

An aluminium garden bench is the lowest maintenance. Still, a little attention pays off:

• Rinse the bench twice a season with lukewarm water.
• For stubborn dirt, use the Star brite Garden Furniture Cleaner.
• Check the connection points for loose screws.
• After cleaning, apply a Garden Furniture Protector for extra UV protection.

See also: maintaining aluminium garden furniture.

Maintaining a stainless steel garden bench

Stainless steel is strong and corrosion-resistant, but looks less good with water marks or fingerprints. Clean a stainless steel bench with a soft cloth and a mild cleaner. Never use abrasive cleaners — they damage the surface. Read: maintaining stainless steel garden furniture.

General tips

• Remove green algae straight away — it damages the material if it sits for long.
• Cover the bench in winter with a well-fitting protective cover.
• Use cushions for extra comfort and protection of the seat.

Browse our range of garden benches and matching maintenance products.