Garden furniture stands outdoors all year round and has to endure a lot. Sun, rain and moisture can cause rust, especially on metal furniture — but rust stains on plastic (caused by, for example, a rusting screw) are also a regular occurrence. Fortunately, you don't need to buy new furniture right away if you spot some rust spots. In this blog we share handy household remedies for removing rust, for both metal and plastic.
Start with a good clean
Before you start removing rust, it's smart to first give your garden furniture a good clean. Use warm water and a mild dish soap to remove dirt and dust. Then dry the furniture thoroughly to prevent further rust formation.
7 household remedies against rust on metal
| Remedy | How to use it | Soak time | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baking soda | Make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the rust spot, scrub with an old toothbrush | 15–20 min | Light rust spots |
| Vinegar | Soak a cloth in white vinegar, place on the rusty areas, scrub afterwards | 30 min | Stubborn rust |
| Sandpaper / steel wool | Sand carefully (grit 120–150) to remove deeper-seated rust | Immediate | Metal, deeper rust |
| Rust converter | Apply according to packaging instructions, let dry well | As per packaging | Metal, prevents rust returning |
| Lemon juice & salt | Sprinkle salt on the spot, drizzle lemon juice over it, let it soak in and scrub | 30 min | Moderate rust spots |
| Cola | Soak a cloth in cola (contains phosphoric acid) and place on the rusty spot | A few hours | Moderate rust spots |
| Toothpaste | Spread a bit of white toothpaste on the stain, wipe with a cloth | 10 min | Small, surface-level spots |
Rinse well with water after each treatment and dry the furniture thoroughly to prevent new rust formation.
Curious how to structurally maintain metal garden furniture to prevent rust? Read maintenance of metal garden furniture, or specifically for stainless steel, maintaining stainless steel garden furniture.
Removing rust stains from plastic garden furniture
Plastic itself doesn't rust, of course, but rust stains on plastic garden furniture usually occur because a metal part — like a screw, hinge or frame piece — has started to rust, and the stain has transferred onto the surrounding plastic surface. This requires a slightly different approach than rust on metal itself:
- Baking soda remains the safest first step — plastic is more prone to scratching than metal, so avoid sandpaper or steel wool.
- Lemon juice works well against the yellow/orange discolouration that rust often leaves on light or white plastic parts.
- Replace the rusting part where possible (like a screw or hinge) — otherwise the stain will return over time.
- Never use aggressive chemicals or chlorine on plastic: this can make the material brittle and cause discolouration.
Want to know more about cleaning and maintaining plastic garden furniture in general? Read cleaning and maintaining plastic garden furniture.
Protection is the secret!
Once the rust is gone, you can protect your garden furniture with a coat of varnish or a special metal protector. It also helps to bring furniture indoors during winter or cover it with a protective cover.
We use a metal protector like this ourselves:
Garden Furniture Protector (650ml)
Tip: a good protective cover prevents a lot of damage before it happens. Browse our full range of garden furniture covers by Platinum.
AeroCover Garden Set Cover (200x150xH85)
Video: how a good garden furniture cover works
Watch this video to see how a breathable protective cover keeps your garden set protected against the weather all year round.
Conclusion
Rust on your garden furniture is annoying, but easy to tackle with these household remedies — whether it's metal or plastic. With a bit of attention your furniture stays looking good for longer. Looking for new garden furniture? Boender Outdoor offers a wide range. Browse our range or the garden sets selection.
Browse our full range of maintenance products and protective covers at Boender Outdoor.
Also read: Maintenance of metal garden furniture — Maintaining stainless steel garden furniture — Cleaning and maintaining plastic garden furniture
