One of the pleasures of the summer holidays is entertaining outdoors – and with it sitting comfortably for family and friends so they feel at home.

This ultimately means getting your patio furniture out and making sure it looks its best.

But as Jimmy Englezos, senior brand manager at Ronseal, notes, “Thanks to a particularly wet spring (and summer), your furniture may need some care and attention.”

To give your garden furniture a new lease of life, Englezos shares its comprehensive guide to overhauling it, from cleaning to restoration….

How to clean garden furniture.

“Proper maintenance and cleaning of your garden furniture will help keep it in good condition, year after year,” says Englezos. “And if you’ve spent money on quality furniture, you’ll no doubt want to get the most out of it.”

He says it’s a quick and easy task you can do just before the next sunny dry spell arrives, with different methods to go about it.

Garden furniture cleaners – these specially formulated cleaners remove dirt build-up and can eliminate moss and algae.

Detergent and water – you can create a budget-friendly cleaning solution with household detergent and warm water.

Vinegar and baking soda – a mixture of white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda can make a great organic cleaner. “One thing I never advise is using a pressure washer,” warns Englezos.

While this can speed up the task, he warns that it can damage the surface and possibly remove any protective coatings.

“Your furniture will then be vulnerable to rain and rot, causing your hard work to go to waste.”

Cleaning of wooden furniture.

First, wipe the surface, instructs Englezos, with a sponge or soft brush to eliminate any cobwebs, dust or surface dirt.

Second, apply the cleaning product based on your chosen solution; concentrate on a small patch at a time, he advises, and work in a circular motion, removing stubborn stains.

Third, rinse with water. Using a hose or watering can, rinse the entire surface thoroughly to remove any remaining product, Englezos emphasizes.

Cleaning of metal furniture.

First remove surface dirt. Using a soft brush, Englezos recommends wiping the entire surface to remove any dirt.

“Be sure to test the brush on a small area beforehand to make sure it won’t scratch.”

Then wash down, use a soapy bucket of water and brush to clean the metal. He suggests that a toothbrush is useful for small intricate areas.

Then remove any rust. “For any rust spots, you need to sand down those areas to remove as much rust as you can, then treat it with special rust-resistant paint.”

Cleaning of plastic furniture.

First, remove crumbs and dust with a soft brush or even a household vacuum cleaner, advises Englezos.

“Then use a bucket of warm, soapy water and a sponge to wipe down all surfaces. Allow to dry before replacing any soft pillows.”

How to revive metal furniture.

Painting metal is easy and a great way to revive unloved furniture or rusty metal….

To take care of your metal, check for imperfections every year, advises Englezos. “This will help prevent rust from developing and ensure you get a good finish for longer.”

“If you see any cracks, blisters or scratches, sand off any loose paint and touch up the area with two coats of paint.”

For his step-by-step guide, first remove any flaking paint from the metal surface with a wire brush or 120-grit sandpaper.

Wipe the surface with a damp cloth to remove dust, dirt or grease. When mixing the paint, he says to shake the can five or six times to ensure an even consistency.

“Dip the brush in and wipe off any excess towards the edge. When painting metal with intricate details, like a garden chair, start there first and wipe up any drips to prevent the paint from drying in large blobs.”

For best results, he says to apply several layers of paint and be sure to sand lightly between each application. “Let dry for at least four hours, making sure it is protected from any rain during this time.”

How to revive wooden furniture.

Over time and exposure to the elements, wooden furniture can take on a dull gray color, making it look old and run down, Englezos underlines.

“However, rather than investing in brand new items, these existing items can easily be restored to their former glory by using a wood restorer.”

He advises cleaning the surface first, making sure that algae, mold or dirt is removed and that the furniture is completely dry.

Then he suggests applying a generous amount of restorer with a brush to cover the entire surface. “Be sure to scrub the restorer into the surface using back and forth strokes.”

Englezos recommends leaving the restorer on for 15 minutes to work its magic but cautions against letting it dry out. “If the surface starts to dry, apply more restorer and give it a scrub.”

When the time is up, he instructs to rinse the furniture thoroughly with a garden hose to remove all traces of the restorer.

“Let it sit for a couple of days before applying some wood stain or oil to protect the finish.”

“It is never recommended to leave wooden furniture alone because it can cause it to rot in the rain or turn gray in the sunshine,” concludes Englezos.