As we look ahead to the new season and thoughts turn to preparing our homes and garden for the year ahead, it can be all too easy to neglect our outdoor wooden garden furniture. However, a little care and attention will extend the life of your furniture, so it can continue to serve you well for years to come. This article will concentrate on cleaning wooden garden furniture and maintaining wooden garden furniture by protecting and preserving it.
How to clean moss and mould from wooden garden furniture
Before cleaning wooden outdoor furniture, ensure that any moss, mildew or mould that may have accumulated on the wood’s surface is removed. Simply brush the furniture with a stiff brush (moving to a softer bristled brush if the wood is being marked at all), before sanding the surface of the wood to make it smooth. Once the sanding is complete, rinse away excess dirt and dust with a hose pipe on a gentle setting. DO NOT use a pressure washer as this could damage the surface of the wood by causing splinters, which may not become apparent until the furniture has dried out. If this has happened, you will need to sand the furniture down again until it is smooth once more. Mould is caused by damp conditions, so minimise the risk by only storing furniture when it is completely dry, especially if using a furniture cover that could trap moisture inside. Our blog article will show you how to over-winter wooden furniture.
What to use to clean wooden garden furniture?
The simplest way to clean wooden garden furniture is to mix a solution of mild detergent such as washing up liquid, in water. Scrub the furniture with the solution using a brush or a sponge and rinse with a hose. Leave to dry in natural sunlight. A chemical-free alternative that will not harm wildlife, can be made by combining one-part warm water with two parts white vinegar and three heaped tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda. Simply apply the mixture and leave for a few minutes before scrubbing. Rinse with a hose and leave to dry. Once the furniture is dry, any stubborn stains that remain can be sanded away, remembering to hose away any residual dust afterwards.
How to protect and preserve wooden garden furniture
Once your garden furniture is completely dry, it is time to protect the wood. There are different ways to protect wooden garden furniture; you can choose to paint it, stain it, or apply a preserving oil to it.
Painting wooden garden furniture
If you want to give your softwood furniture a completely new look and feel, painting it is the perfect solution. Our range of quality paint by Protek will waterproof, nourish and protect your outdoor furniture while updating it with a pop of colour in just two coats (further coats will enhance the colour). For added ease, the Protek Wood Stain and Protect can be applied with a paint sprayer to make quick work of bigger jobs and is available in a choice of heritage colours. Before painting your furniture, our blog article, How to prepare garden furniture to paint, has lots of tip and hints.
Staining wooden garden furniture
A wood stain will protect your furniture, while adding a tint to it. An eco-friendly product, the Protek range of Wood Stain and Protectors is water-based, making it easier to clean up without having to use white spirit, and can be applied with a paint sprayer. Available in a choice of natural wood colours, to complement a rustic-themed space. Our blog article What wood stain should you use in a garden? will help.
Oiling hardwood timber garden furniture
A proprietary teak oil will protect hardwood garden furniture from adverse weather conditions and keep it looking fresh. Rub the oil gently into the surface of the wood, following the grain, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next.
Following these easy steps will soon have your wooden garden furniture looking fresh as a daisy!