Garden furniture dragged out of the shed in spring usually looks grey, grubby and a little sad after months of damp storage. An hour or two of attention now, before the sitting-out weather arrives, has it looking smart for the whole summer.
Start with a clean
Months of dust, cobwebs and mildew need to come off first. A bucket of warm soapy water and a stiff brush shifts most of it; for stubborn green mildew on wood, a dedicated cleaner does a better job. Let it dry fully before you go further.
Reviving wooden furniture
Hardwoods like teak go silvery grey as the surface weathers, which is harmless but dull-looking. A light sanding brings the warm colour back.
- Sand along the grain with medium then fine paper.
- Wipe off every trace of dust.
- Brush on teak or Danish oil and let it soak in.
Metal and plastic
Check metal furniture for rust spots, sand them back and touch them in with a suitable paint before they spread. Plastic furniture usually just needs a good wash, though a wipe-over with a UV protector slows the chalky fading that ruins it.
Check it is safe
While you are at it, tighten every bolt and screw, and test that folding chairs lock open properly. A wobbly leg or a seized hinge is an accident waiting to happen, and far better found now than when a guest sits down with a full plate.