How to Care for Garden Furniture: The Complete UK Guide

Well-maintained garden furniture lasts significantly longer than neglected pieces — and the difference in effort is smaller than most people think. A consistent routine of cleaning, seasonal checks and proper storage can add years to any outdoor set, regardless of material. This guide covers everything you need to know, from spring setup to winter storage.

Care by Material

Different materials have different care requirements. Knowing what your furniture is made from is the starting point for everything else.

PE rattan (synthetic rattan) is the most common material for UK garden furniture and the easiest to maintain. Wipe down with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse with clean water and allow to dry. Avoid pressure washers — they can damage the weave. PE rattan doesn't rot, rust or require annual treatment. It's UV-stabilised but will fade gradually with prolonged direct sun exposure over several years.

Wood requires the most ongoing maintenance of any garden furniture material. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse and allow to dry fully. Apply a wood oil, sealant or varnish annually — spring is the best time. Without treatment, wood dries out, cracks and eventually rots. Teak is the most durable hardwood and can be left untreated if you're happy with it weathering to a silver-grey; other hardwoods and softwoods need annual treatment.

Powder-coated steel is robust but vulnerable at any point where the coating is chipped or scratched. Inspect annually for chips and touch up immediately with rust-inhibiting paint — this is the single most important maintenance task for steel-framed furniture. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners that scratch the coating.

Aluminium is the lowest-maintenance frame material — it doesn't rust and requires nothing more than an occasional wipe-down with a damp cloth. It's lighter than steel and ideal for furniture that's moved frequently.

Plastic is easy to clean with mild soap and water. UV exposure causes plastic to fade and eventually become brittle over time. A plastic restorer product can revive faded colour. Avoid bleach-based cleaners on coloured plastic as they accelerate fading.

Seasonal Maintenance

Spring

Spring is the most important maintenance moment of the year. After winter, furniture needs a thorough inspection and clean before the season begins.

• Deep clean all surfaces — remove any mould, mildew, dirt or debris that has accumulated over winter
• Inspect frames for rust (steel), chips in powder coating, loose joints or cracked wood
• Tighten all bolts and fixings — they work loose over winter with temperature changes
• Treat wooden furniture with oil, sealant or varnish before the season starts
• Touch up any chips in powder-coated steel frames with rust-inhibiting paint
• Wash and air cushion covers before putting them back into use

Summer

• Wipe down regularly — dust, pollen and bird droppings accumulate quickly in summer and are easier to remove when fresh
• Store cushions inside or in a weatherproof box when not in use — even UV-resistant fabric fades faster with prolonged sun exposure
• Use furniture covers when the furniture won't be used for several days
• Check canopies on swing seats and parasols before forecast wind — lower or remove them in strong wind

Autumn

• Clear leaves and debris regularly — wet leaves trap moisture against surfaces and accelerate deterioration
• Cover furniture as temperatures drop and rain increases
• Check for moisture under covers — trapped condensation causes mould. Use breathable covers and allow furniture to dry before covering
• Begin bringing cushions inside for the season

Winter

• Clean thoroughly before storing — storing dirty furniture causes staining and mould
• Store cushions inside — never leave cushions outside over winter
• Cover or store frames — PE rattan and aluminium can stay outside with a breathable cover; wooden and steel-framed pieces benefit from indoor storage where possible
• Disassemble where practical to save space and reduce stress on joints
• Check periodically during winter for moisture build-up under covers

Cushion and Fabric Care

Cushions are the most vulnerable part of any garden furniture set and the most commonly neglected. Most Outsunny and mid-market garden furniture cushion covers are removable and machine washable at 30°C — check the care label on your specific set.

Routine care: brush off loose dirt before it works into the fabric. Spot-clean stains promptly with a mild detergent solution. Wash covers at the start and end of each season.

Mildew treatment: dilute white vinegar (1 part vinegar to 2 parts water), apply to the affected area, leave for 30 minutes, scrub gently with a soft brush and rinse. Dry fully in the sun. Mild mildew usually comes out completely. Severe mildew that has penetrated the foam warrants replacement.

Storage: store cushions in a breathable bag or box — not a sealed plastic bag, which traps moisture. A weatherproof garden storage box keeps cushions accessible during the season while protecting them from overnight damp.

Winter Storage

The goal of winter storage is to protect furniture from the combination of moisture, frost and UV that causes the most damage over the colder months.

Indoor storage (garage, shed, basement) is ideal for wooden and steel-framed pieces. If indoor space is limited, prioritise cushions and wooden components — these are most vulnerable.

Outdoor storage with covers is practical for most PE rattan and aluminium furniture. Use breathable furniture covers — not plastic sheeting, which traps condensation. Ensure the furniture is clean and dry before covering. Check periodically during winter and ventilate if condensation builds up.

Cushion storage: always store cushions inside or in a weatherproof box. Never leave cushions outside over winter — even in a covered area, they will absorb moisture and develop mildew.

Browse garden furniture covers and garden sheds at Opal Retail.

Repairs and Restoration

Rust on steel frames: sand back to bare metal, apply a rust-inhibiting primer, then repaint with an outdoor metal paint. Address rust as soon as it appears — it spreads quickly once established.

Chips in powder coating: touch up with rust-inhibiting paint matched to the frame colour. Small chips can be treated with a rust-inhibiting pen. Don't leave chips untreated through winter.

Scratches on wooden furniture: use a stain marker or wood filler matched to the wood colour. Re-oil or re-seal the affected area after repair.

Faded plastic: a plastic restorer product (widely available online and in hardware stores) can significantly revive faded colour. Apply with a soft cloth and buff to finish.

Loose joints and fixings: tighten all bolts and screws at the start of each season. For wooden joints that have worked loose, wood glue applied to the joint and clamped overnight usually resolves the issue.

Flattened cushion foam: if the cover is in good condition but the foam has compressed, replace the foam insert rather than the full cushion. Standard foam sheets are available from fabric shops and online — cut to size and insert into the existing cover.

Furniture Covers

A good furniture cover is one of the most cost-effective investments you can make to extend the life of any outdoor set. Key things to look for:

• Breathable fabric — prevents condensation build-up that causes mould. Avoid non-breathable plastic covers for long-term use
• UV-resistant — protects against sun damage as well as rain
• Secure fastenings — drawstrings, buckles or elastic hems that keep the cover in place in wind
• Correct fit — a cover that's too large pools water and blows off; measure your furniture before ordering

Browse garden furniture covers at Opal Retail.

Further reading

• Garden & Outdoor Living UK: The Complete Guide
• How to Care for Outsunny Garden Furniture
• Outsunny Garden Furniture Seasonal Care Checklist

Frequently asked questions

How do I clean garden furniture?

For most garden furniture, warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth is all you need. Rinse with clean water and allow to dry fully. Avoid pressure washers on rattan (damages the weave) and abrasive cleaners on powder-coated metal (scratches the coating). Cushion covers can usually be removed and machine washed at 30°C.

Can garden furniture be left outside in winter?

PE rattan and aluminium furniture can stay outside year-round with a breathable cover. Wooden and steel-framed furniture benefits from indoor storage where possible. Cushions should always be stored inside over winter — never leave them outside, even under cover.

How do I remove rust from garden furniture?

Sand back to bare metal, apply a rust-inhibiting primer, then repaint with an outdoor metal paint. For small chips before rust develops, a rust-inhibiting touch-up pen is sufficient. Address rust as soon as it appears — it spreads quickly once established.

How do I get mildew off garden furniture cushions?

Mix 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts water, apply to the affected area, leave for 30 minutes, scrub gently with a soft brush and rinse. Dry fully in the sun. Mild mildew usually comes out completely. Severe mildew that has penetrated the foam warrants cushion replacement.

How often should I treat wooden garden furniture?

Annually — spring is the best time. Apply a wood oil, sealant or varnish appropriate for the wood type. Teak can be left untreated if you're happy with it weathering to silver-grey; other hardwoods and softwoods need annual treatment to prevent drying, cracking and rot.

What is the best way to store garden furniture in winter?

Clean thoroughly before storing. Store cushions inside or in a weatherproof box. Cover PE rattan and aluminium frames with a breathable furniture cover. Store wooden and steel-framed pieces indoors where possible. Check periodically during winter for moisture build-up under covers.