Protect your garden furniture this winter
Wednesday, 27 October 2010 10:31 AM
Worried about your garden furniture being damaged by the weather during the winter months? These 10 tips will ensure it remains in good condition right through the cold season and into spring.
- It might sound arduous, but if you have a garage or shed, consider moving everything inside. It’ll be worth the effort.
- If this isn’t an option, consider buying a protective, waterproof cover – unsurprisingly, Garden Furniture Covers has a good range.
- Terracotta plant pots should be emptied and then moved inside for the winter – but if yours is a permanent feature complete with live-and-kicking resident plant, wrap it in bubble wrap (or, even better, line the pot with bubble wrap beneath the soil). This will stop it cracking when the frost sets in.
- Keep furniture on a solid surface rather than grass – this will prevent too much moisture seeping in.
- Is your furniture made from pine softwood? Be warned: its resistance to outdoor conditions is pretty low, so do be sure to treat it appropriately – Cuprinol makes a clear preserver which protects against rot, mould and fungi.
- Those with furniture made from teak or a similar hardwood should oil it evenly along the grain (ideally you would do this on the day of purchase but it’s not too late if you get in there quick!) – but only do this if it will have time to dry before the next bout of rain or frost. Again, Cuprinol is a good brand to try.
- If you opted for metal furniture, give yourself a pat on the back – this is by far the lowest-maintenance material for garden furniture. Be sure to watch out for any chips on the paintwork though, because if water gets in it could cause rust. If you spot a chip, just pick up a touch-up kit from your local DIY store (girls: clear nail varnish also does the job).
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And finally, when you next buy garden furniture, consider anything made from powder-coated aluminium: it’s protected from UV rays and can be left out all year round.
