cool been: November 2011

Follow our top tips to ensure your garden furniture survives the winter

Give it a thorough clean
Before you start, give your garden furniture a thorough clean. The easiest way is with a simple sponge and soap and warm water, which should get rid of most dirt.
Wicker furniture can be sprayed down with a hose, or using the low setting of a pressure cleaner. Rust on metal furniture can be rubbed away with wire wool, but go gently. After cleaning all types of outdoor furniture, make sure you dry it thoroughly afterwards.

Find space to store it inside
If you're fortunate enough to have space in a garage or outbuilding, the best way to extend the life of your outdoor furniture over the colder months is to store it inside, where it will be kept safe and dry and away from the wind, rain and snow, all of which can cause wooden furniture to warp and age.
Bear in mind too, that sunshine can bleach the colour from woods and plastics, so if your outbuilding has windows, make sure the furniture is covered with dust sheets or similar.

Cover it up
If you don't have anywhere to store your furniture inside, consider investing in outdoor furniture covers. PVC-backed polyester covers which will keep your furniture protected from the elements, and even have UV-filters built in to prevent sun bleaching. Don't forget, you can buy covers for your barbecue too - well worth the investment, as they often rust.

Treat it with a protective product
Finally, consider treating your furniture with a specialist protecting varnish. Cuprinol's Hardwood Garden Furniture Protector provides long-lasting weather protection and comes in clear and three natural wood colours.

More Advice

• Canvas
Remove canvas seat covers and bring parasols inside when the season is over. Use a stiff brush to remove dirt. Some canvas can be machine washed at a low temperature, but weatherproofed canvas can't, so ask the manufacturer for their recommendations to preserve the special coating.

• Parasols
Check whether the canopy can be dismantled easily for cleaning. To wash an umbrella, open it, lean one side on to the ground and clean with a mild soap, cold water and brushes. Rinse with jets of cold water.

• Teak
Clean twice a year with a brush and specialist teak soap or a bar of mild household soap. A high-pressure hose may also be used at low level. If you use it on too high a setting, you risk damaging the surface.

• All-weather weaves
are easy to keep clean, simply wipe down with soapy water. They can be jet-washed at the start of the season.

• Metal furniture
Painted furniture should be washed down with water and mild detergent, then rinsed. Keeping cast-iron furniture clean will help prevent rust. Check for tiny rust spots, sand gently and repaint before it sets in.