5 Easy Cleaning Tips For Your Garden Furniture
It’s that time of year when we think about setting our gardens up for the warmer months. But, before you can plan your first BBQ or enjoy a cup of morning coffee outside, your garden furniture needs a good clean to bring it back to life.
The lead-up to Easter is a popular time for garden projects and that includes getting your furniture ready for spring.
So, roll your sleeves up and get ready to revamp your outdoor furniture. The experts at Furniturebox have shared their top cleaning hacks and styling tips to get your garden looking its best for 2023.
Pic: Shutterstock
Cleaning hacks
According to TikTok data the hashtag #springclean has over 167.8 million views worldwide and #furniturecleaning has around 17 million views. Clearly, when it comes to refreshing our homes both inside and out, we enjoy getting ready for the new season with a few simple cleaning tricks.
Here are Furniturebox’s five simple yet effective ways to prepare your garden furniture for spring and summer.
Use warm, soapy water to revamp your moon chair
If you invested in 2022’s must-have item the moon chair, be sure to give it a refresh for 2023 as it’s still poised to be the star of the show.
Use warm soapy water and a cloth to remove dirt from the rattan frame. Then use a damp sponge in a circular motion to gently lift dirt from the papasan cushion before letting everything air-dry.
Pop your fabric seat covers in the washing machine
Cleaning your seat covers and scatter cushions can instantly make your outdoor furniture look new again. Check the labels’ washing instructions and pop them in the washing machine to remove any dirt, damp stains and grubbiness.
Pressure wash your garden furniture to remove algae
Pic: Shutterstock
Garden furniture such as tables, chairs and benches are often neglected through autumn and winter. This can lead to a build-up of dirt or algae, especially on wooden items.
Use a pressure washer (on a low to medium setting) to remove surface dirt from wooden, rattan, plastic or metal furniture and restore the furniture to its original colour and condition, ready for the first sunny weekend.
Apply a stain protector to minimise marks
It’s a good idea to apply stain remover and protector to fabric covers. Stain solutions can quickly lift ground-in dirt or food to keep your furniture fresh and ready to be used all summer long. Follow up with a stain protector to keep your garden sofa looking its best.
Use white vinegar to remove rust from metal surfaces
When metal furniture is left uncovered for long periods, you’re likely to see rust appear on the surface. Using household products like white vinegar can remove rust and give your furniture a new lease of life.
Apply the white vinegar liberally with a cloth on the affected areas. Let the vinegar sit for around an hour before wiping it with a damp cloth.
Ways to avoid unnecessary damage
Product Development lead Laura Rich from Furniturebox says maintaining your garden furniture will make seasonal transitions easier.
“Often, once summer is over people forget about their garden furniture. Leaving it outside, uncovered all year round can result in unnecessary damage and a big cleaning job the following year.
“Using covers or putting your furniture away means you only need to give your outdoor sofa, table and chair a quick spring clean when you’re ready to use them again.
“Keeping your garden furniture in good condition makes the transition from winter to spring much easier, whether you’re organising a garden party, family barbecue, or you just want to enjoy your outdoor space with your loved ones.
“Garden furniture is a great investment piece, so keeping your items in good nick will ensure that you have high-quality furniture for years to come.”
Pic: iStockphoto
Top garden styling tips for 2023
Everyone wants a comfortable and stylish garden and making the most of your outdoor space doesn’t have to break the bank. Google Trends suggests that from February onwards searches such as ‘rattan corner sofa’ start to rise in the UK as people think about their outdoor living space.
Whether you’re ready to invest in new garden furniture or give your old set some TLC, styling is what gives your garden the best finishing touch. Here are Furniturebox’s top four garden styling tips.
Pic: Susie White. Read Susie’s garden advice every week in My Weekly from April.
Create a dedicated dining or relaxation area
Giving your garden some structure can make all the difference. If you have an area of patio or decking this is a great spot for putting your furniture for alfresco dining or entertaining. Add an outdoor rug, surround the area with fairy lights and add an umbrella for shade and you’ll have yourself a cosy area for both day and night.
Cyrus Sky Blue Indoor/Outdoor Rug in recycled plastic, £235, Weaver Green
Create a colour scheme or theme for your garden
A cost-effective way of injecting some colour and personality into your garden is to choose a colour scheme and add accessories that fit. Cushions, dinnerware, plant pots and more can instantly elevate your garden and make it feel more cohesive.
Wellbeing Border in a Box, £24.99, borderinabox.com/
Make a statement with beautiful flowers
Every garden can benefit from a good mix of plants. Not only do they add height and colour to your garden but different plants create different moods. For a cottage feel, choose wildflowers and for a zen-style garden choose more greenery and shrubs. Plus you’ll be helping out the local wildlife in the process – win, win!
Pic: Susie White. Read Susie’s garden advice every week in My Weekly from April.
Think about your choice of lighting
Good lighting allows you to enjoy your garden well into the evening as well as in the day. Fairy lights, lanterns or candles will illuminate your space in style and create a lovely ambience — you can even add fairy lights to your trees! Plus for an extra hack, invest in some citronella candles to burn in the evening to keep bugs and flies away.
Dandelion solar lights, £32.99, Sparkle
