July 7th, 2021 by Chris Chapman

The dos and don’ts of garden furniture maintenance

Chances are you bought your metal garden furniture, not only for how lovely it looks in your garden but also for how robust and long-lasting it is. There is something very reassuring about buying well-made, high-quality pieces and knowing that you will have them for many years.

Metal is particularly well suited to garden furniture because it is so durable and able to deal with weather conditions and other outdoor dirt and mess but don’t sit on your laurels and assume you don’t have to do anything to keep it looking good.

Here are the main dos and don’ts of metal garden furniture maintenance that will keep it looking great for a really long time.

DO: clean it

Everything left outside gets dirty. Whether it’s residue from the rain, general garden dirt, or even bird or pet waste, your furniture will be exposed to all of this, even if darker pieces don’t really show the dirt too much. Just give it a wipe over with something mild, such as some diluted washing up liquid or liquid soap, and then a rinse off every now and then to keep it nice and clean. As well as the maintenance aspect, it’s much more pleasant to sit on clean chairs than dirty ones.

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DO: Check for chips and scratches

The main thing that metal furniture is most vulnerable to is rust. Outdoor furniture is, of course, coated in substances that protect the metal – such as paint or sealant – but it’s not infallible. Even the smallest nick or chip will expose the metal underneath and rust can eventually take hold. By checking regularly and dealing with it, you can avoid this. If you do find any such damage, just sand any rough areas down and apply some touch-up paint or sealant to restore its protection.

DO: rub on a little car wax

You can do this after you’ve cleaned it. A little rub of car wax will do exactly what it does for cars – repel water. This means that water will simply glide off the surface and minimise contact with the metal. It also gives it a nice, subtle sheen too.

DON’T: forget the moving parts

Moving parts, such as hinges, are most susceptible to scratches and knocks as metal moves against metal. If rust is allowed to get into these areas, it could prevent it from being folded up properly when you come to put it away later. Pay special attention to these areas and treat as above if you find any damage. Keep the joints moving well by folding and unfolding them every now and then and you could even spray with a little oil or lubricant to prevent them from seizing up.

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DON’T: leave them out in the winter

Technically you could leave your furniture in the garden over the winter, but you will definitely find that it won’t last as long if it’s exposed to the worst of the seasonal weather. Ideally, you should store them somewhere dry such as a garage or shed – and you will thank yourself for looking after the hinges when you come to do this. If this isn’t an option, then a cover is the next best thing. Choose a cover that is a snug fit (this helps minimise the wind getting underneath or rain getting in), and make sure it’s on securely. Give it a check every so often over the winter to check it’s still sufficiently protected. You don’t want to wait until the spring to discover that rain has been getting into it all winter.

Caring for garden furniture pays dividends

Garden furniture maintenance is not the thankless task that many garden jobs feel like as you will be rewarded for your efforts. Not only is it more pleasant to use, looks better, and lasts longer; it won't snag or stain your clothes and could allow you to return a decent price if you sell it later when you’re ready to swap for something different!