The great British weather may be notoriously unpredictable, but that shouldn’t mean your outdoor furniture has to suffer for it. From the scorching heat of a summer heatwave to sudden showers, gardens and terraces are constantly exposed to the elements throughout the year. With a little care and attention, your outdoor furniture can stay looking its best and be enjoyed for many seasons to come.
Whether it’s a classic wooden table or a metal chair, a few simple maintenance steps can help protect it from the elements and keep it ready for those long summer days outdoors. Discover expert tips and advice from Grythyttan Stålmöbler, the Swedish outdoor furniture specialist with 131 years of heritage, on how to care for your furniture now so it’s ready to enjoy when the sun returns next summer.
How to care for wooden garden furniture?
Bo Hellberg, CMO at Grythyttan Stålmöbler, suggests, “For wooden surfaces, regular cleaning with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth helps remove dirt and stains. Naturally, how much and how often depends on where the furniture is placed. Sometimes, you may need to clean it several times a season.
Use a scrubbing sponge if necessary (such as a green Scotch-Brite™). Rinse with water. Never use a pressure washer to clean your furniture, as you risk damaging the wood fibres. To prevent unnecessary wear, keep wooden surfaces dry and avoid placing hot or wet objects directly on them.”
Oil your furniture to prevent cracks “To preserve the wood’s natural colour, apply a light coat of suitable wood oil once or twice a year, especially before the colder months. Oiling helps the wood retain its shape and prevents cracking.
Always clean the furniture first and reapply oil whenever the surface feels dry. Follow the product instructions carefully,” says Hellberg.
How to care for metal garden furniture?
Hellberg says, “Metal parts require minimal maintenance – just an occasional wipe with a damp cloth is enough to remove dust and grime. While the metal is designed to resist rust, checking for small scratches and touching them up with a protective spray or wax can help prevent moisture damage during colder months. To protect the finish, avoid dragging metal furniture across rough surfaces.”
How to protect your outdoor furniture from wet weather?
“Come autumn and winter, a more thorough cleaning is a good idea, followed by placing the furniture under a roof or protecting it with a tarpaulin throughout the wet months. Since Grythyttan Stålmöbler chairs have been designed to be stackable ever since their inception in 1930, they’re very easy to store away. The same goes for the tables — thanks to their clever construction, the base can be removed and folded up in just a minute.
If you take care of your furniture in the wet months, it will last longer and be easier to set out again come spring, when the sun returns,” concludes Hellberg.
