Revive Your Garden Furniture

If you’re anything like me, you are already been enjoying the season my spending more time in the garden. Of course, one of the first things I noticed was that the garden furniture isn’t looking its best. Even though it spent the winter in the shed, the white mesh cushions and table umbrella had gone dingy and grey, and the white plastic chairs had some grey-black mould or lichen growing on them in places. They needed a good clean.

So you don’t want to buy all new garden furniture, but your current collection is in a state. Here are a few tips to get at least one more season out of it all:

• Plastic or resin garden chairs are too delicate for most abrasive cleaners or metal scouring pads. However, a wet sponge and a bit of baking soda will scrub off that black stiff without damaging the surface.
• Mesh-type outdoor cushions can be tricky to clean. I advise putting them through the wash on hot, with a bit of bleach, then line drying.
• For wooden garden furniture, especially picnic tables, I use a spray bottle of white vinegar (never the brown stuff). Spray it on any mildew you see, and it should wipe right off.
• Garden table umbrellas also respond well to vinegar – this time mix about 1/3 of a small bottle of white vinegar with a squirt of washing up liquid in a bucket, and fill with hot water. Scrub the umbrella fabric with this mixture and a soft brush, then rinse with the hose.
• Lastly, if your plastic or resin garden furniture has simply lost its shine, spray WD-40 directly onto it, then wipe it dry with a cloth or rag. It shines right up, and won’t stain your clothing.

Of course, you must also remember to put it all back in the shed when the weather turns again. That will make cleaning it next summer so much easier!