Maintenance & Care
Mid-summer maintenance: How to freshen up your outdoor furniture to keep it looking new all summer
When was the last time you checked the condition of your garden furniture? Halfway through the summer and the outdoor hosting season, it offers us a great reminder to do some maintenance checks.
Give your outdoor furniture a mid-summer spruce to keep your pieces looking newer for longer
When was the last time you checked the condition of your garden furniture? Halfway through the summer and the outdoor hosting season, it offers us a great reminder to do some maintenance checks and give your outdoor space a mid-season spruce.
From sun exposure and unexpected showers to accidental BBQ spillages and general wear-and-tear, you'll be surprised how much your garden furniture can face. Mid-summer is the perfect time to pause and refresh your outdoor space - starting with cleaning your garden furniture!
In this maintenance and care guide, we'll share our top tips on freshening up your garden furniture, as well as our secret hacks on keeping your pieces in pristine condition.
Why good outdoor furniture care matters
Looking after your garden furniture is important. An outdoor corner sofa or dining set is a luxury investment - one that you want to continue using year after year, not just for a single summer. So, by protecting your pieces and giving them a mid-summer maintenance, you’ll extend their longevity, so you can enjoy alfresco lounging year after year.
Quick mid-summer cleaning checklist
To make life easier, we've created a quick go-to checklist for your mid-summer garden furniture maintenance...
1. Brush off visible dirt
An easy place to start is by brushing off any visible dirt or debris (like fallen leaves, pollen, or food spillages) from your garden furniture cushions and seat covers.
2. Wipe down the frames
Next, tackle the framework. It’s best to wipe down frames with a clean, microfibre cloth and hot soapy water. This will have your furniture frames looking sparkling clean in no time. Of course, it’s important to double-check what material your furniture is crafted from - we’ve got some tips on this later.
3. Wash the seat cushions
Then, freshen things up by washing your seat covers. Simply zip off and put them in the washing machine (just make sure they're machine-friendly), and they'll be looking and smelling great. On a sunny day, you could hang your laundry up in the garden. Make sure to use fabric softener for a touch of softness.
4. Polish any glass surfaces
If you’re working with a table and chair set that features a shiny surface, such as a glass top, don’t forget to wipe this too. For glass surfaces, opt for a gentle mix of soap and water with a clean, microfibre cloth. You can also pick up glass-specific detergent sprays, depending on your preference.
Top tip: Glass can be tricky and often shows finger marks and streaks. Make sure to buff the surface with a dry microfibre cloth, for a clean, crisp finish.
Of course, sometimes the UK can face particularly heavy downfalls and rainy periods, in which case, we would always recommend covering it with an Outdoor Furniture Cover when not being used for longer periods. Throughout the winter months, either bring your garden furniture indoors, if you have space, or keep covered over.
Weekly habits for refreshing your furniture
In addition to a mid-summer maintenance, we’d recommend getting into the habit of a weekly cleaning session to keep your outdoor furniture looking its very best. Here’s what we’d suggest:
Flip the seat cushions
Regularly rotating seat cushions on your outdoor sofas and chairs can prevent unnecessary fading from the sun or sagging seats - particularly on favourite sitting spots. This is a handy tip that can keep your garden sofa looking both brighter and plumper for longer.
Spritz your outdoor seating
In a rush? Give your outdoor seating a quick spritz with a fragranced fabric spray. Not only does this give your furniture a beautiful new smell (we recommend a clean cotton or citrus scent), if you choose the right spray, you can also neutralise unwanted odors, too.
Rearrange your outdoor furniture
For a new look, try rearranging your outdoor furniture. Maybe you want to make the most of an unused corner in your garden, or perhaps there's a sun-trap area that would suit your garden lounger better. Midway through the summer is the perfect opportunity to experiment with different furniture configurations. The best news? Your garden will feel brand-new, without having to make any purchases.
Choose low-maintenance garden furniture
If you consider yourself a regular outdoor entertainer, or simply love being outside in the summertime, it’s a good idea to invest in high-quality garden furniture that requires minimal maintenance. This way, you can spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your outdoor space.
All of Atkin and Thyme’s outdoor furniture is built to last, prioritising sturdy materials and quality hand-finished craftsmanship. Many of our sofa cushions are also water-repellent, UV-resistant and quick drying after summer showers, with removable zip covers for easy cleaning.
Materials guide
Of course, different materials require different care. Atkin and Thyme offers a wide range of contemporary outdoor furniture, in a variety of beautiful materials and fabrics, including:
Aluminium frames: Our aluminium frames are very durable and can deal with wet sponges. Keep an eye out for any chips or cracks in the top coats, which could lead to potential rust if not looked after.
Rattan: Our rattan furniture is mostly made of waterproof poly-weave, which is great for protecting against rain showers. However, we’d still advise against getting your rattan furniture too wet and using a foamy soap spray instead.
Rope: Our rope furniture collection is typically based on sturdy aluminium frames and is pretty hardwearing, but can easily collect dust and dirt over time. With this in mind, we’d recommend dusting first and then using warm water to clean. Avoid any harsh chemicals, like bleach.
Check out our handy guide to cleaning rope furniture.
There’s nothing more inviting than a well-kept contemporary garden. Our beautiful collection of garden furniture sets is designed to be as low-maintenance as possible, but a little care and attention can go a long way. With these checkpoint tips, you can keep your outdoor furniture in perfect condition right up until the end of summer and beyond.
