Cleaning garden furniture can sometimes be a challenge, especially when it's made from different materials. At Boender Outdoor Garden Furniture, we're happy to help you keep your garden furniture looking radiant throughout the year. In this blog post, we share handy cleaning tips for different materials.
Cleaning overview at a glance
| Material | Cleaning product | Frequency | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | Green soap or soda, optionally wood cleaner | 2x a year + oil | Never use a pressure washer |
| Aluminium | Soapy water with green soap | 2x a year | No aggressive products |
| Bamboo | Dry cloth + bamboo oil | 2x a year | Lightly sand first |
| Wicker | Green soap, soft brush | Regularly | No scouring pads |
| Steel/Stainless steel | Mild soapy water, dry thoroughly | Regularly | No abrasive products |
| Plastic | Cloth + green soap | 2x a year | Protect from strong sun |
| Teak | Soft brush + mild soap, teak oil | 2x a year | Never use a pressure washer |
Tip: protect your garden furniture in winter with a furniture cover — it extends the lifespan of almost every material. Browse our range of garden furniture covers.
Why should you clean and maintain your garden furniture?
By properly cleaning and maintaining your garden furniture, you'll keep it looking beautiful for longer and enjoy your outdoor space for years to come. Clean furniture not only looks better, but is also more comfortable and safer. Regular cleaning protects against sun, rain and frost, extending their lifespan.
The way you clean your garden furniture varies depending on the material. Upholstered and wooden furniture are sensitive to stains and mould, whilst aluminium and plastic can lose their shine through dirt. A clean-up at the beginning and end of the garden season keeps your furniture in top condition.
Give your garden furniture the attention it deserves, and enjoy a fresh and welcoming garden!
Prevention beats cure: dirt left on your furniture for months soaks into the material far more than a fresh stain does. Cleaning a little and often costs less effort than one big deep-clean a year.
Cleaning wooden garden furniture
Wooden garden furniture gives your garden a warm and natural look. Wood is a durable material that, if properly maintained, lasts for many years. Over time, the wood naturally discolours from brown to grey, unless it has been treated with paint or stain. At Boender Outdoor Garden Furniture, all our wooden furniture is made from sustainable wood and bears the FSC mark. Check out our range of wooden garden tables.
Never use a high-pressure cleaner to clean wooden garden furniture — the powerful jet can remove the protective wax layer. Instead, use a soft brush or sponge with lukewarm water and green soap or soda, or a special wooden garden furniture cleaner. Rinse with clean water and let it dry well in the sun.
Treat your furniture twice a year with wood oil containing a UV filter. This protects against discolouration, ageing and weathering.
Cleaning aluminium garden furniture
Aluminium garden furniture is very low maintenance. Check out our range of aluminium garden sets.
Use a solution of warm water and a soft cloth or brush, or our special aluminium garden furniture cleaner. Avoid a high-pressure cleaner or aggressive products, these can damage the aluminium. Clean at least twice a year.
After cleaning, treat the furniture with an aluminium protector to prevent discolouration from the sun, so it looks like new for longer.
Protect your furniture during bad weather and winter months with a garden furniture cover, so it stays in top condition.
Cleaning bamboo garden furniture
Bamboo has become hugely popular in recent years and for good reason! Bamboo is perfect for a bohemian atmosphere in your garden. To keep your bamboo garden furniture beautiful for years to come, maintain it twice a year as follows:
Lightly sand the bamboo to remove surface dirt and any unevenness. Then wipe away all the sanded dirt with a dry cloth.
Apply a special oil suitable for bamboo outdoor furniture. This protects against discolouration and mould.
Cover your bamboo garden furniture with a furniture cover during the winter months to keep it looking beautiful for longer.
Cleaning wicker garden furniture
Wicker garden furniture, also known as rattan furniture, requires regular maintenance to keep it clean and in good condition. Check out our range of wicker lounge sets.
Use a bucket of lukewarm water with green soap and a soft brush or the garden hose to remove dirt trapped between the woven material. Avoid aggressive products or scouring sponges, or use our special wicker garden furniture cleaner.
After cleaning, treat the furniture with a wicker protector containing a UV filter. This helps prevent discolouration and ageing.
Cover wicker garden furniture with a garden furniture cover during winter, even though it can stay outside all year round.
This way, you can enjoy your beautiful wicker garden furniture for many years to come! Read more in our wicker maintenance blog post.
Cleaning steel and stainless steel garden furniture
With steel or metal garden furniture too, it's important not to use aggressive cleaning products. Check out our range of steel garden benches.
Make a warm solution with green soap and wash your furniture with it. Aggressive products can damage the protective layer and paint. Rinse with clean water from the garden hose.
Small scratches can cause rust marks, but these are easily touched up with a touch-up pen.
Cover steel garden furniture with a furniture cover during the winter months. This keeps it looking beautiful for longer.
Cleaning stainless steel garden furniture
Stainless steel garden furniture is popular because of its modern look and durability. Stainless steel furniture should also be cleaned regularly to maintain its shine.
Use a mild solution of water and green soap with a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaning products, as these can cause scratches.
Dry the furniture thoroughly to prevent water marks. For extra protection, use a special stainless steel cleaner or protector.
Cover your stainless steel garden furniture with a furniture cover during the winter months, just like steel furniture.
With the right care and maintenance, your steel and stainless steel garden furniture will look stunning and you can enjoy a beautiful and comfortable outdoor space for years to come. Read more in our stainless steel maintenance blog post.
Cleaning plastic garden furniture
Plastic is a strong and low-maintenance material that's easy to clean. Check out our range of plastic garden chairs.
Thoroughly clean plastic garden furniture twice a year with a cloth, lukewarm water and green soap, or our special plastic garden furniture cleaner.
Move your furniture indoors during the winter months or protect it with a garden furniture cover, so the material isn't damaged by weather conditions.
Plastic is cleaned the same way, but it can fade faster in the sun. Store plastic garden furniture indoors when not in use to prevent this.
With these simple maintenance tips, your plastic garden furniture will look like new for years to come, so you can make the most of your outdoor space.
Cleaning teak garden furniture
Teak garden furniture is not only stylish, but also durable and resistant to various weather conditions. To maintain the natural beauty of teak, it's important to thoroughly clean your furniture twice a year.
Remove dust and dirt with a soft brush. Make a solution of lukewarm water and mild soap and gently clean the teak with a soft cloth or sponge. Avoid aggressive products or high-pressure cleaners. Rinse with clean water and let it dry thoroughly.
After cleaning, treat teak with a special teak oil or protector. This maintains the colour and shine and protects against discolouration and weathering.
Cover teak garden furniture with a garden furniture cover during the winter months, or store it indoors if possible.
Prefer watching to reading? See how to clean teak outdoor furniture in the video below:
For more detailed tips and advice on teak maintenance, read our comprehensive teak maintenance blog post. This way, you can enjoy your beautiful teak furniture for many years to come.
Cleaning products for your garden furniture
There are various types of cleaning products you can use to clean your garden furniture. We've set out all the options for you:
Cleaning with green soap
Make cleaning your garden furniture a fun and simple task! Fill a bucket with lukewarm water and a dash of green soap. Grab a soft brush or sponge and get to work scrubbing your furniture. Then rinse thoroughly with water and let it shine in the sun to dry. Your garden furniture will look like new again, ready for the next garden party!
Cleaning with soda
Can't get stubborn stains off with water and green soap? Then add a spoonful of soda to your mixture. Soda is a natural and environmentally friendly product with which you can thoroughly clean your garden furniture without causing any damage. It's also ideal for naturally removing mould. After cleaning, rinse your furniture well with water to remove all remaining soda. This way, your garden furniture stays fresh and clean, ready for use!
Cleaning with garden furniture cleaners
Still can't get your garden furniture clean? Then try a garden furniture cleaner such as the Star brite Garden Furniture Cleaner, suitable for most materials.
Cleaning with vinegar
Cleaning vinegar is a no-go when it comes to cleaning your garden furniture, as it is very harmful to nature and the environment. Furthermore, it's an aggressive product that can cause discolouration and scratches. Instead, opt for an environmentally friendly alternative that's safe for your furniture and the planet. This keeps your garden furniture looking beautiful and contributes to a greener world!
You don't need to scrub your garden furniture every week. Two thorough cleans a year, at the start and end of the season, are plenty for most materials — as long as you let it dry off after rain in between.
Frequently asked questions about cleaning garden furniture
How often should I clean my garden furniture?
For most materials, cleaning thoroughly twice a year is enough: once at the start of the garden season and once at the end. With heavy use, do it more often.
Can I use a pressure washer on all my garden furniture?
No. For wood, teak and bamboo, a pressure washer is not recommended. For plastic, aluminium and stainless steel, a low setting can sometimes work, but a soft brush with soapy water is usually safer.
What's the best natural cleaning product for garden furniture?
Green soap is a safe, eco-friendly base for almost any material. For stubborn stains, add soda crystals. We recommend avoiding cleaning vinegar due to discolouration and environmental impact.
Should I cover my garden furniture in winter?
Yes, for almost every material a good furniture cover significantly extends its lifespan, even for weather-resistant materials like aluminium or plastic.
Conclusion
Cleaning your garden furniture is important to keep it looking beautiful and fresh and to extend its lifespan. With simple cleaning products such as lukewarm water and green soap, and the use of soft brushes or sponges, you can easily maintain most materials. For extra protection and shine, there are special cleaners available that are tailored to different materials such as wood, plastic and aluminium.
By thoroughly cleaning your garden furniture twice a year and treating it with the right products, you ensure that it is resistant to the elements and always ready for use. Don't forget to cover your furniture during the winter months with a garden furniture cover to keep it in top condition.
With these tips, you can enjoy your beautiful garden furniture for years to come, regardless of the material. Give your outdoor space the care it deserves and enjoy a clean, welcoming place to relax every time.
Also read: Covering garden furniture or not? This is what you need to know and Preparing garden furniture for winter and protecting against frost
