I'm a gardening expert and I have loads of easy hacks to clean your garden furniture no matter what it’s made of | The Sun

IF you fancy getting out in your garden but your furniture is looking a bit grubby, you’ve come to the right place.

There’s nothing worse than the sun shining but not being able to enjoy it in your garden because your furniture is covered in filth, rust, dirt and mould.

But thanks to some garden experts, here’s some top tips on how to give your garden furniture a new lease of life with some simple cleaning hacks. 

The experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have outlined the best ways to clean and preserve different types of outdoor furniture during the busy summer season.

Whether you’ve got wooden, plastic, rattan or metal furniture, here are the top tips that you need to know. 

So if you want to enjoy your outdoor space and catch some rays with family and friends, it’s time to take notes. 

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When getting the garden ready for guests, consider giving your patio furniture some TLC by removing rust and debris and giving it a good scrub.

Cleaning solutions vary depending on what type of furniture you’re dealing with – plastic furniture is one of the easiest to clean, while metal surfaces may require a bit more elbow grease.

Chris Bonnett, the founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “Outdoor furniture should be cleaned regularly if you wish to maintain its good condition for years to come.

“Tough weather conditions and built up dirt can take a toll on your patio set, but there are simple and effective solutions to get the furniture back in shape.

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“In most cases you can use common household items for sparkling results.”

So if your garden furniture is in need of some TLC, here are expert tips on how to breathe new life into different types of garden furniture sets.

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Wooden furniture

Wooden furniture contains natural oils which help to protect the surface, however it still needs some looking after.

To keep wood in good condition, a simple soapy wash will do the trick in most cases. Just mix warm water with sugar soap and use a sponge to give it a good scrub. 

You can also opt for a commercial wood-cleaning product to get rid of general dust and grime.

Rinse the furniture off with a hose pipe, not a pressure washer, to avoid causing damage.

For an extra layer of protection, finish by applying a coat of oil or stain that will preserve the colour of the wood and prevent water, dirt and UV exposure from damaging the surface. This should be done once or twice a year.

Doing so will ensure that your wooden furniture is perfect for a summer occasion, leaving your loved ones very impressed. 

Plastic furniture

Plastic furniture is popular because it’s affordable and easy to maintain.

The main issue that you need to deal with is stains, but they can usually be removed with household products and a little scrub.

However pollen and bird droppings can cause more stubborn stains, especially if you have a white furniture set.

You can create an effective cleaning solution by mixing hot water with either bleach, white vinegar, dishwashing soap, laundry detergent or baking soda.

The stains will be gone in no time and your furniture will be ready for a summer BBQ or get-together with friends. 

Rattan furniture

Rattan is weather resistant and an easy material to take care of – just use a mixture of water and soap or washing up liquid, wipe it with a soft cloth and give it a rinse.

The tricky part is getting in between the weaves, where dust and mould can build up over time.

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A good hack is to use a toothbrush to get rid of the lodged dirt from the tiny gaps. 

Dust can also be collected by using a vacuum cleaner’s brush attachment.

Thanks to these simple hacks, your rattan will look better than ever. 

Metal furniture

Metal furniture sets are very durable, however getting rid of rust can be a real headache.

The first step is to sand down as much of the existing rust as you can with fine sandpaper or a baking soda and water solution.

If you’re dealing with oxidised aluminium, use a metal polishing paste or a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water to get rid of the rust.

An interesting rust removal hack is to use a potato, which contains rust-fighting oxalic acid. Just cut it in half and rub it along the surface.

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Once you’ve got rid of the rust, apply a coat of wax for long-lasting protection.

Doing so will ensure that your metal furniture will stay looking good for longer, saving you time and effort by the time next summer rolls around. 

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