How to Care for your Garden Furniture in Hot Weather

Many of our customers have asked us how they should look after their garden furniture as the hotter weather arrives, and whether they should treat it any differently than other times of the year. For this reason we have put together a short guide with tips and advice when it comes to looking after your garden furniture and what to look out for.

Good quality garden furniture is designed to be low maintenance and as such can be stored outside with little fuss in most temperatures. There are some things to look out for though depending on the type of garden furniture you have.

Aluminium Garden Furniture

Garden furniture made from metal (specifically aluminium) is designed to withstand hot temperatures. In fact you can leave aluminium garden tables and chairs out in the sun without any protection. However, bear in mind that as its metal it can and will get extremely hot when left in direct sunlight. If you are able to, try to shade the furniture under a parasol or a covered area in the hottest part of the day.

Rattan Garden Furniture

You don't need to be concerned with leaving good quality synthetic rattan garden furniture outdoors in the heat. Be mindful of glass tops and use coasters and placemats where possible in hot weather. Extreme temperatures or rapid temperature changes can cause damage to glass.

Wooden Garden Furniture

High quality wooden garden sofa sets, specifically teak, is another type of furniture that doesnt require any special treatment in hotter weather. This natural wood is designed to withstand hotter temperatures. However, you will find over time and with fluctuations in temperature, small cracks can appear. This is normal and does not affect the quality or strength of the teak. The wood will also likely change colour, this is a natural process over time that wood does for protection. Different types of treatment are available to restore colour or clean any stains.

Covering Your Garden Furniture

We don't believe covering your garden furniture is necessary in hotter weather, however, we do think that it helps protect it from falling debris, bird droppings, so it can help for other reasons.

Storing Cushions in Hot Weather

In summer, cushions can be left outside, we recommend leaving them underneath a cover when not in use, if you don't have a cover then bring them inside. If the weather changes (as the UK’s weather often does), then bring the cushions indoors as cushions stored under a cover when soaked will go mouldy quite quickly.

A quick recap:

1. Good quality garden furniture can be left outside in all conditions, even hotter weather.

2. If you can, try to shade your garden furniture in the hottest parts of the day

3. You don't necessarily need a cover to protect your garden furniture from the sun.

4. Store your cushions when not in use, either under a cover or indoors

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Do you have further questions about caring for your garden furniture or unsure which garden furniture to buy? Our friendly, knowledgeable team are always on hand to help, just give us a call or visit either of our showrooms.