The Importance Of Looking After Your Garden Furniture
Purchasing garden furniture is often considered an investment, as it will more than likely come with a hefty price tag. That is why once you have purchased your furniture it is important to look after it. A huge benefit to outdoor garden furniture is that if it is cared for correctly, it can last for a number of years, ultimately making it worth the large tag at the start.
How To Prolong The Use Of Your Garden Furniture
For many of us, having space to store garden furniture throughout the Autumn and Winter months can be difficult. If you are limited for space or are thinking of storing your garden furniture in space that may not be 100% waterproof (like a garage or shed), we would strongly suggest purchasing some protective covers. You should consider protective covers as an investment to prolong the life of your garden furniture and having fitted, waterproof and frostproof (yes, not tarpaulin) protective covers will really really help to do so.
This is why you should consider covers that properly fit your furniture. Protective patio and garden furniture covers are made from heavy-duty lined polyester, an extremely water-resistant material that’s incredibly durable. The covers are also made with an insulated inner lining, ensuring it won’t excessively rub up against and agitate the actual furniture if caught in blustery conditions.
Talking of which; one key benefit is the cord lock systems that come as standard and protect against the damages and physicality of the wind. The system has been developed for a super snug tailored fit, which is why the pull cords are accessed in the bottom corner meet-points of the textile and ensure it stays compact and secure during high winds.
Cleaning Your Garden Furniture
There are different knacks to cleaning different garden furniture materials:
- Rattan garden furniture – To approach the main structure of a natural rattan garden table, you should first loosen and remove mud or moss with a stiff brush or a vacuum cleaner. Rub gently so you don’t damage or scratch the surface, whilst still making sure that you are getting into all of the nooks and crannies. We’d suggest using a toothbrush for the spots that are particularly hard to get to using a large bristle brush. Soak a sponge or a cloth in soapy water, squeeze it and wipe it across the furniture. Repeat this with clean water and dry the furniture well with a cloth – good as new! You can take a look into more details on cleaning rattan garden furniture here.
- Aluminium garden furniture – If any of your aluminium garden furniture has only light oxidation (slightly tarnished), then you can try a simple acidic solution of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water before you invest in any of the expensive off the shelf products, and using a sponge / stiff wire brush to remove the oxidation. You can take a look into more details on cleaning aluminium garden furniture here.
- Ceramic Tabletops – Cleaning your ceramic tabletop is very low maintenance and does not require any fancy, nor expensive cleaning products. Most stains can be removed with water and ordinary, gentle dishwashing detergent and a sponge. For more stubborn stains, a dab of concentrated detergent can be effective. Always wipe the table down afterwards with a clean cloth. But, if you’re looking for extra shine, limestone cleaning gel works great, however, this not be practised on a daily nor weekly basis. It is important to note that you should avoid using ammonia-based products. Ammonia can break down the sealant between your garden furniture and the ceramic tabletop which can affect both the durability and usability of your garden furniture set as the top may become wobbly. However, it is really important to remember not to use abrasive products on ceramic tabletops.
