U-Wood Designs Guide to Looking After Your Wooden Garden Furniture

Here at U-Wood Bespoke Designs, we'd like to give you some of our top tips for looking after your wooden garden furniture.

We regularly get asked this question; How do I keep my wooden garden furniture from rotting? So we have compiled some tips to keep your timber fresh and your teak looking chic!

A common misunderstanding with wooden garden furniture is that you need to cover it up from the elements with a protective cover, like you do aluminium and rattan furniture. Wrong! Wooden garden furniture needs daylight and air in order to breathe. Covering it can actually lead to mould problems over time.

Our 5 steps to keeping your wood looking as fresh as the day you bought it:

Remove & Wash Cushions and Throws

This might seem like a no brainer, but a reminder; You don’t want grubby cushions ruining your aesthetic once you have spruced up your furniture. You also don’t want your cushions and throws being ruined during the cleaning process.

Brush Off Debris, Leaves, Moss..

Now get to work on removing any excess dirt and debris. This is a really important process if you haven’t used your furniture in a while and it has been sat out in the elements during the winter months. Dirt and debris can build up over time and especially during these months. Use a stiff brush, but be careful not to scratch the surface of the wood. If you notice your brush is starting to leave marks or scratches, swap it for a softer bristled brush. Make sure you regularly do this to prevent mould and stains from appearing!

Get Sanding!

Once the dirt and debris is out of the way, you may want to sand the wood down. We wouldn’t say this is an essential part of cleaning your wooden garden furniture, but here at U-Wood Designs we recommend a light sand pre oil/stain if you are going to be doing so. You want a nice smooth surface before applying your protective treatments, such as oils. You can use sandpaper or an orbital sander to do this, we always advise you to wear the correct protective equipment when doing so!

Wash Your Wood

We always advise against using harsh chemical detergents on your wood. The damage caused by these can be irreparable and can ruin the lovely natural appearance of the wood. A great chemical free detergent option would be washing up liquid mixed with warm water. Scrub with a sponge to remove any dirt. If you have access to a hose, use this to rinse and leave to dry in the sunshine.

Oil it Up!

Once your wood furniture is scrubbed up clean and has been left to dry completely, our final step is to apply your treatments. To add a protective layer to your wooden garden furniture you can apply oil. This will add a layer of protection and enhance the longevity and appearance of your furniture. When you rub the oil into the furniture be sure to follow the grain, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next.

If you prefer to add some pzazz to your pieces, you could always paint the wood in a colour that suits your garden theme and will instantly funk up your furniture giving it a whole new look!

Interested in buying some stylish wooden garden furniture for your garden? Then get in touch with us here at U-Wood Designs. We design and hand make gorgeous garden furniture and much more for your gardens and homes. Call us today on 01354 607884