The long, lazy days of summer are finally on their way. And, according to Met Office forecasts, we could well be in for a warm one. So you’ll no doubt want to spend as much of it outside as you can. That means now’s a great time to sort out your garden furniture.
For anyone lucky enough to own a set of wooden tables and chairs, regular maintenance, protection and care will help keep it in a great condition for years. Here’s a quick recap of what you need to do.
Benefits of wooden garden furniture
There are a number of these, including the attractive appearance of real-wood garden chairs and tables. Equally, these items are durable, easy to maintain and suit all types of garden. At the same time, they’re more environmentally friendly than some of the alternatives.
The importance of regular cleaning
With the best will in the world, wooden garden items are unlikely to remain pristine forever. And you’re likely to get the odd ice-cream spillage or similar, experience mildew and so on. But the good news is that cleaning wooden furniture for the garden isn’t hard.
A weekly wipe-down of the frames with a damp cloth keeps on top of the worst of it. (But remember to always check care instructions first.) Then a yearly brush-down with a stiff brush removes mildew, allergens and debris. Ideally, rinse softwood furniture with a wood-cleaning product annually. And treat with a staining product. Meanwhile, you can wash hardwoods with warm soapy water.
Sealing, treating and staining
All of the above will help refresh your wood and protect it from mould and mildew. Just find an outdoor or well-ventilated spot and have your wooden pieces set down so that they are stable. Sand down to the bare wood. And then, wearing latex gloves, apply the stain evenly with a microfibre pad or brush. As you do so, take care to keep debris and dust away. Leave your items to dry (this typically takes a couple of hours.) Next apply a clear, protective sealant – good choices include polyurethane oil or water-based products.
Looking after your wooden outdoor furniture
We all know how unpredictable British summers can be. Wooden furniture is vulnerable to moisture, while the hot sun can bleach its colour. Bring it somewhere inside at night, if you’re away, or in poor weather. Equally, another option is to buy a cover for your tables and chairs.
A quality cover protects against rain, nosy animals and UV damage. Make sure you get the sizing of your covers right. And look for good water-proofing and security measures like drawstrings which mean your cover won’t blow away in high winds.
Get in touch
Royal Stone Care is specialist in wooden products. We can do repair, restoration and sanding so that you get the most from your wooden furniture, stairs or floor. And that’s especially the case if your garden furniture has an especially intricate design.
So, give us a call! We can help ensure your wooden garden furniture is in the best possible state for the summer ahead by our exclusive service of wood repair and restoration London.
