How to give your garden furniture a makeover
From cleaning to painting and restoring, these expert tips make light work of outdoor living
One of the joys of the summer holidays is entertaining outside – and with that, seating family and friends comfortably so they feel right at home.
Which ultimately means getting your garden furniture out and making sure it’s looking its best.
However, as Jimmy Englezos, senior brand manager from Ronseal, points out: “Thanks to a particularly wet spring [and summer], your furniture might need some overdue care and attention.”
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To give your garden furniture a new lease of life, Englezos shares his definitive guide to giving it an overhaul, from cleaning to restoring…
How to clean garden furniture
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“Properly maintaining and cleaning your garden furniture will help keep it in good condition, year after year,” says Englezos. “And if you’ve spent money on high-quality furniture, you’ll undoubtedly want to get the most out of it.”
He says it’s a quick and easy job you can do just before the next sunny dry spell arrives, with various ways to go about it.
Garden furniture cleaners – these specially formulated cleaners remove the build-up of dirt and can get rid of moss and algae.
Detergent and water – you can make a budget-friendly cleaning solution with household detergent and warm water.
Vinegar and baking soda – a mixture of white vinegar mixed with bicarbonate of soda can create a fantastic organic cleaner.
“One thing I never advise is using a pressure washer,” warns Englezos. While this might get the job done quickly, he says it can damage the surface and potentially strip away any protective coatings.
“Your furniture will then be vulnerable to rain and rot, undoing your hard work.”
Cleaning wooden furniture
Firstly wipe down the surface, says Englezos, using a sponge or soft-bristled brush to remove any cobwebs, dust or surface dirt.
Secondly, apply the cleaning product depending on your chosen solution; focusing on a small patch at a time, he says, and work in a circular motion, removing stubborn spots.
Thirdly, rinse with water. Using a hosepipe or watering can, thoroughly rinse down the entire surface to remove any remaining product, highlights Englezos.
Cleaning metal furniture
Firstly, remove surface dirt. Using a soft-bristled brush, Englezos says to wipe down the entire surface to remove any grime. “Make sure to test the brush on a small area beforehand to ensure it does not scratch.”
Then wash down, using a soapy bucket of water and brush to clean the metal. He says a toothbrush is handy for small intricate areas.
Next, remove any rust. “For any spots of rust, you need to sand these areas down to remove as much rust as you can – then, treat it with special rust-resistant paint.”
Cleaning plastic furniture
Firstly, remove crumbs and dust, using a soft brush or even a household vacuum cleaner, suggests Englezos.
“Then, use a bucket of warm soapy water and sponge to wipe down all the surfaces. Leave to dry before replacing any soft cushions.”
How to revive metal furniture
Painting metal is easy, and a great way to revive unloved furniture or rusty metal…
To look after your metal, check for imperfections every year, advises Englezos. “This will help prevent rust from developing and ensure you get a great finish for longer.
“If you spot any cracks, blisters, or scratches, sand away loose paint and touch up the area with two coats of paint.”
For his step-by-step guide, firstly remove any flaking paint from the metal surface using a wire brush or 120 grit sandpaper.
Wipe down the surface using a damp cloth to remove any dust, dirt or grease. When mixing the paint, he says to shake the can five or six times to ensure an even consistency.
“Dip the paintbrush in and wipe any excess against the rim. When painting metal with intricate details, like a garden chair, start there first and wipe up any drips to stop the paint from drying in big drops.”
For best results, he says to apply several coats of paint, making sure to lightly sand in between each application. “Leave to dry for at least four hours, making sure it’s sheltered from any rain during this time.”
How to revive wooden furniture
Over time and exposure to the elements, wooden furniture items can turn a dull grey colour, making them look old and run-down, underlines Englezos.
“But rather than investing in brand-new items, these existing pieces can easily be restored to their former glory by using some wood restorer.”
He says to clean the surface, making sure any algae, mould or dirt is removed beforehand and the furniture is completely dry.
Then get loads of restorer on a paintbrush and coat the entire surface of the item of furniture. “Making sure to scrub the restorer into the surface using back-and-forth sweeps.”
Leave the restorer for 15 minutes to work, says Englezos, but make sure it doesn’t dry out. “If the surface starts to dry, apply more restorer and give it a scrub.”
Once the 15 minutes have passed, he says to use a garden hose to thoroughly rinse the furniture to completely remove the restorer.
“Leave to settle for a couple of days before applying some wooden stain or oil to protect the finish.
“It’s never advised to leave wooden furniture bare as this could cause it to rot in the rain, or go grey in the sunshine,” adds Englezos.
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