I’m a DIY expert & you need to winter-proof your garden furniture this month – but there’s strict rules for wood & metal

WITH the autumn weather starting to creep in, the countdown to winter is well and truly on.

But on top of getting your garden ready and prepped for the cold weather, there’s something else you need to remember. 

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It’s time to winter-proof your garden furniture[/caption]

Your outside furniture is also at risk of being damaged by plummeting temperatures, ice and snow over the next few months. 

So now is the time to winter-proof everything from wooden tables to metal chairs to make sure they make it through to next summer.

But how do you do it? And how can things like ketchup and potatoes help? (Yes, really!)

Sam Williams, a DIY expert from SGS Engineering, has unveiled his top tips, explaining how it’s important to clean them and  before taking the protective steps.

Here, he explains the different rules for each material, and why it’s important to follow his simple but effective rules…  

WOODEN FURNITURE

Sam acknowledges that wooden furniture can be particularly “vulnerable” in the winter months. 

But Sam has a failsafe technique to ensure your outside sets will be unharmed – and it only takes four steps: 

Step 1 – Clean your furniture using mild soap (such as washing up liquid) and water, and a soft cloth. If your furniture is made from teak, you may want to use a specialist teak-wood cleaner as this is going to be gentler and won’t strip the natural oils. 

Step 2 – Allow it to dry completely before you move and store items in a shed or garage, to avoid any moisture damage or mould issues. 

Step 3 – Depending on the type of wood you’re working with, once your furniture has been thoroughly cleaned, you should also apply a sealant or wax to create a protective barrier. High-quality teak sealers help the material retain its natural oils and repel moisture, preventing the wood from turning grey. 

Step 4 – Once your furniture has been sealed it is always advisable to cover this and move it inside to effectively protect it from outdoor elements.  

Once your furniture has been sealed it is always advisable to cover this

Sam Williams

METAL FURNITURE

It’s no surprise that the winter months can leave your metal tables, chairs and benches at risk of rusting or corrosion due to the rain, sleet or snow.

But you’ll be pleased to hear it doesn’t have to be this way with Sam’s handy guide – and this is where the ketchup and potatoes come in:

Step  –: Just like wooden furniture, cleaning should be your first step when preparing metal furniture for the winter months. Remove any dirt, grime, and rust with a wire brush or steel wool and then wash the furniture down with a soapy water solution.  

Step 2  – Once your furniture is dry, rust inhibitors and metal-friendly sprays can help prevent any future rust formation.  

Step 3 – Applying ketchup to rust stains with a brush can work wonders and remove marks easily! Leave it to sit for about an hour, and then rinse it off. Alternatively, most people don’t know that potatoes can also be good for removing rust from metal furniture, especially iron. Rub half an uncooked potato in baking powder and then use it to scrub the rust patch.

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OTHER OUTSIDE FURNISHINGS

Nobody wants to be greeted by cushions or other textiles that have gone mouldy or smell damp.

So if you want to protect them all winter long, Sam has some handy tricks up his sleeves: 

Step 1 – Remove any cushions and their covers from your furniture and pop these into your washing machine. If your cushion covers cannot be removed for a machine wash, mix a tablespoon of washing-up liquid in a bucket of warm water and use a soft toothbrush to get any stubborn stains off them. 

Step 2 – Once these are clean, store them indoors. If you can’t move them indoors, switch normal fabric cushion covers with waterproof covers to protect the ‘inners’ more effectively.  

Step 3 – Place silica gel packs or moisture-absorbing products inside the cushions or storage containers to easily prevent mould issues. 

Invest in tight-fitting, stain-proof, water-and mould-repellent, ‘breathable’ fabric covers as these will help keep the elements at bay 

Sam Williams

FINAL PROTECTION

While it would be ideal to have somewhere warm and dry to store your furniture over the winter months, it isn’t always an option.

So Sam has shared the cheaper alternative to storage, if that’s not possible to you.

He explained: “If possible, I would highly advise everyone to store their garden furniture in a dry shed or garage over the colder months. 

“However, if you don’t have a large enough interior space to store your furniture, I’d suggest you invest in tight-fitting, stain-proof, water-and mould-repellent, ‘breathable’ fabric covers as these will help keep the elements at bay.” 

For more top DIY tips visit: sgs-engineering.com/help-advice/category/howtos  

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The tips and tricks will save your furniture next summer[/caption]