With more and more people in the UK choosing to spend their summer months at home, becoming green-fingered is a trend on the rise. While tending to our flowerbeds and pruning away any unsightly weeds is high on our gardening priority list, it’s also essential to ensure we are protecting our garden furniture and providing it with adequate care to help it last season after season. 

So, without further ado, read LeisureBenches' top tips on the best garden furniture protection this summer and ensure your pieces are ready to withstand the elements winter will inevitably bring. 

Secure and Safe

Ensure your oversized furniture items, such as benches and tables, are fastened with a fixing kit to avoid blowing away in strong winds. Bring your outdoor cushions inside, close down your parasols, pop them in a shed or outdoor building and cover anything outside with a tarp or furniture cover. Opt for a customised cover that suits your decor perfectly for a stylish storage solution. 

Fabric Protection

Furniture care isn’t just for winter! Protect your fabrics from UV damage with a sun-shield spray to avoid yellowing whites and faded colours. If you don’t envision bringing in your cushions every night during summer, invest in a waterproofing spray to protect your soft furnishings from mould and dampness. 

LeisureBench Top Tip: If you have teak furniture in your garden, we recommend maintaining the wood with a simple scrub and clean with hot, soapy water. Teak naturally is rich in oils and rubber which prevent it from rotting and it is naturally resistant to fungi. This very property makes it hard to treat with a finish as Teak repels the treatment.

Shady Spots:

Speaking of UV damage, try to keep any furniture in the shadier spots of your garden or protect it with a parasol. Doing so helps to avoid fading, discolouration or warping and protects from rain and wind damage, too! 

Wood Furniture: 

To keep your outdoor wooden furniture looking fantastic, follow these simple tips.

1. Brush away any dust, dirt or debris with a stiff brush.
2. Give your furniture a quick sand with fine-grit sandpaper to remove hard edges and grooves. 
3. Give your furniture another quick wash with soapy water, and avoid pressure washing after sanding, as this can strip the furniture's paint and even the timber.
4. Provide a protective treatment to the wood to ensure it keeps its colour, shape and durability. 
5. Read More: Check out our even more detailed guide on caring for your softwood garden furniture. 

Rattan Furniture: 

Rattan furniture requires a little less maintenance than its wooden counterparts, and by following our handy guide, we’re confident your furniture will look stunning for years to come. 

Clean your rattan furniture with a stiff bristle brush or hand-held hoover, then take a damp cloth and some mild dish soap and run it along your table and chairs. If any stubborn debris remains between the cracks, use an old toothbrush to dislodge it. 

Aside from protecting the fabric cushions and furnishings by bringing them in overnight and in colder seasons, this is all that is necessary to keep your furnishings looking spick and span. 

Top Tip: Occasionally remove covers to give them a run-through in the washing machine; always adhere to the labels and instructions. 

Metal Furniture: 

As expected, our first tip for keeping your metal furniture fresh is to clean it. You may do this with a hose or pressure washer for speed, or a cloth will be sufficient if you don’t have access to the other two.

You can add a protectant to your metal furniture, such as lithium grease, to add a protective layer to your pieces, ensuring they don't suffer any rusting or corrosion. 

Afterwards, you can polish up your furniture with car wax to keep your metal furnishings looking fresh for years.

There you have it — our top tips for keeping your garden looking fantastic no matter the season. To find the perfect pieces to make your garden sing this season, ensure you browse our whole range. 

If you need more tips on garden furniture care, please contact us with any questions; we are always happy to help.