Simple steps to care for your outdoor furniture

Outdoor furniture tends to be durable, but it still needs regular cleaning. Fortunately, with just a few quick and easy steps, you can keep your garden furnishings in great shape with minimal effort.

With a little care and regular maintenance, you can often add years to the life of your outdoor furniture.

• You can scrub most types of outdoor furniture with a nylon-bristled brush. Just dip it in a bucket containing warm water and a squirt of phosphate-free dishwashing liquid. To rinse, wipe down the furniture with a clean, wet rag.
• Scrub wooden furniture and allow to dry. Sand it lightly to restore the colour, wipe off the dust, and then oil it with a solution of 500 millilitres (two cups) of raw linseed oil and 125 millilitres (1/2 cup) of natural turpentine.
• Regularly tighten the screws on wooden outdoor furniture.
• Wipe aluminum furniture with a mixture of warm water and a dash of vinegar, then dry. Don't use ammonia or bicarbonate of soda, as these can discolour aluminum.
• Act quickly to touch up any chips or scratches on metal and wrought iron furniture to avoid rust.
• To prevent the growth of mould, be sure to keep cane and wicker furniture dry.

Canvas is a durable fabric and can last for ages with a bit of maintenance. Get the most out of your canvas furniture with these simple techniques.

• Regularly brush off any dirt and hose down canvas furniture and awnings with clean, cold water.
• Prevent mould by making sure that canvas articles are dry before you fold or store them.
• To treat bird poo and mildew stains on canvas, cover them with a paste of salt and lemon juice. Leave the item in the sun until the stain disappears and then rinse off the paste with water.
• You can scrub canvas director's chairs and umbrellas with water and mild soap. For stubborn stains and mould, sprinkle the affected area with bicarbonate of soda, leave it for about an hour and then rinse it clean with water.

With a few minutes of regular cleaning and care, you can help your outdoor furniture last for many seasons to come.