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.
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!
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.
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 a little green soap or soda. For a thorough clean, you can also use a special wooden garden furniture cleaner. Then rinse the furniture with clean water from the garden hose and let it dry well in the sun. Choose a sunny day to clean so your furniture dries quickly.
To keep your wooden garden furniture in top condition, treat it twice a year with wood oil containing a UV filter. This protects against discolouration, ageing and weathering. By following this routine, you can enjoy your wooden garden furniture for years to come.
Cleaning aluminium garden furniture
Aluminium garden furniture is very low maintenance. All you need is a solution of warm water and a soft cloth or brush. For a more thorough clean, you can use our special aluminium garden furniture cleaner. This cleaner not only helps with cleaning, but also provides protection against various weather conditions. Avoid using a high-pressure cleaner or aggressive cleaning products, as these can damage the aluminium.
It is important to clean your aluminium garden furniture at least twice a year. After cleaning, you can treat the furniture with an aluminium protector. This product helps prevent discolouration from the sun and ensures your furniture looks like new for longer.
For a longer lifespan of your aluminium garden furniture, protect it during bad weather and winter months with a garden furniture cover. This keeps your furniture in top condition so you can enjoy it for years to come.
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, it's important to maintain it twice a year.
Start by lightly sanding the bamboo to remove surface dirt and any unevenness. Then use a dry cloth to wipe away all the sanded dirt. Next, apply a special oil suitable for bamboo outdoor furniture. This oil protects against discolouration and mould.
To protect your bamboo garden furniture during the winter months, it's wise to cover it with a garden furniture cover. This keeps it looking beautiful for longer so you can enjoy your stylish bamboo furniture for many years to come.
Cleaning wicker garden furniture
Wicker garden furniture, also known as rattan furniture, requires regular maintenance to keep it clean and in good condition. Avoid using aggressive cleaning products or scouring sponges, as these can damage the material. A bucket of lukewarm water with some green soap is often sufficient. For a more thorough clean, you can also use our special wicker garden furniture cleaner.
Use a soft brush or the garden hose to effectively remove dirt trapped between the woven material. After cleaning, you can treat the furniture with a wicker protector. This protector contains a UV filter, which helps prevent discolouration and ageing.
Whilst wicker garden furniture can stay outside all year round, it's recommended to cover it with a garden furniture cover. This protects your furniture against the elements and ensures it lasts longer. 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. Instead, make a warm solution with green soap to clean your furniture. Aggressive products can damage the protective layer and paint of your steel furniture. Rinse the furniture after cleaning with clean water from the garden hose.
Steel furniture is otherwise easy to maintain. Small scratches can cause rust marks, but these can be easily touched up with a touch-up pen. To properly protect your steel furniture, it's wise to cover it with a garden furniture cover during the winter months. This keeps your furniture looking beautiful for longer and protects it against the elements.
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 with water and green soap, and a soft cloth to wipe down your stainless steel furniture. Avoid abrasive cleaning products, as these can cause scratches on the surface.
After cleaning, it's best to dry stainless steel furniture thoroughly to prevent water marks. For extra protection, you can use a special stainless steel cleaner or protector. These products help maintain the shine and provide extra protection against stains and weather.
As with steel furniture, it's wise to cover your stainless steel garden furniture with a garden furniture cover during the winter months. This ensures your furniture is protected against the elements and lasts longer.
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. It's important to thoroughly clean your plastic garden furniture twice a year. Use a cloth, lukewarm water and a little green soap for this, or make use of our special plastic garden furniture cleaner.
During the winter months, it's wise to move your plastic garden furniture indoors or protect it with a garden furniture cover. This prevents the material from being damaged by weather conditions.
You clean plastic garden furniture in the same way, but bear in mind that plastic can fade faster in the sun. To prevent this, it's a good idea to store your plastic garden furniture indoors when not in use.
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.
Start by removing dust and dirt with a soft brush. Then make a solution of lukewarm water and mild soap. Use a soft cloth or sponge to gently clean the teak. Avoid aggressive cleaning products or high-pressure cleaners, as these can damage the wood. Rinse the furniture after cleaning with clean water and let it dry thoroughly.
After cleaning, you can treat teak with a special teak oil or protector. This helps maintain the colour and shine of the wood and protects against discolouration and weathering.
To protect your teak garden furniture during the winter months, it's best to cover it with a garden furniture cover or, if possible, store it indoors.
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 using garden furniture cleaners. You can get these from your local shop.
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!
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
