The Australian climate is not only harsh on our skin, but it can also be harsh on our furniture. From sun fading to rusting parts, it can be hard to maintain clean and healthy outdoor furniture. With a little bit of love and care, those pieces can be kept in pristine condition for years to come. Check out Gardeon’s tips for outdoor furniture care!

• Put all fabric pieces away after use, especially in strong weather: No matter how resistant your furniture is to the elements, the less exposure it has to extreme weather the better. Keeping your pieces undercover or in a small storage shed will prevent the most common wear and tear.

• Tackle mould: Mould is insidious and destructive. If it appears on your furniture, you should tackle it immediately. Mild cases can be cleaned with vinegar, water and/or soap, but harder cases may need specialist mould removers. It’s important to invest in anti-mould pieces from the beginning – pillow covers that can be laundered, water/mould resistant stains, and so on. 

• Re-finish wood furniture: If your wooden furniture has been exposed for long enough, it’s finish may be flaking. Dry and sand the piece to fully remove the old finish and apply your new paint or stain with a quality paintbrush.

• Use a cover or a tarp: If you can’t put furniture undercover, use a waterproof cover and/or a tarp to protect it instead. Many covers are easy to clean and come in a variety of colours and patterns, so they can refresh your pieces as well as protect them.

• Use gentle cleansers: Avoid using harsh cleaning products. If you have stubborn stains, dilute bleach with mild soap and water. Otherwise, use non-abrasive cleaning agents, mild soap or simply a slightly damp cloth and spot-clean regularly.

• Vacuum regularly especially rattan (its fragile): Use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment to regularly dust your furniture, especially if it’s wicker – made from bamboo, rattan or willow, these pieces can be fragile and are more prone to mildew. For places you can’t reach, a can of compressed air will do the trick.

• Avoid the power washer: Power washers are effective but incredibly harsh on your furniture. Unless you’re using it to remove old finish or intense grime, you should cool your jets.

Keep up these handy tips and your outdoor furniture will last for countless summers to come. If you want to make the most out of the season, check out our catalogue of outdoor furniture and accessories.