Caring for your Wooden Garden Furniture

John Duff of Garden Furniture Scotland has some key tips for how to best care for your wooden garden furniture, regardless of whether it is made from keruing, red or yellow balau, or jarra wood.

The first thing to remember is that wood is natural and the appearance of wood will change when left outdoors. This is part of the natural process of protection which the wood undergoes as it acclimatizes to being exposed to the atmosphere.

If hardwood garden furniture is stored outside during spells of hot weather, small cracks may appear in the wood, especially on the end grain. Such cracks are a completely common characteristic and will not affect the durability or strength of the furniture. The cracks will close again once the conditions become damper.

This patina or silvering is unavoidable. However, the process can be slowed and the original colour of the wood maintained by applying teak oil sparingly once or twice a season. Applying teak oil with a lint free cloth will slow the process of weathering and might help to minimise surface cracking.

As it is exposed, wood naturally wants to change colour to a sliver-grey. This is known as patina and the exact colour the wood will become depends on environmental conditions in which it is stored. You can allow furniture to silver and not make any attempt to slow the process. Most furniture continues to look good even when the original colour has disappeared.

In applying teak oil, you ought to pay particular attention to the end grain and to any joints. Any oil which remains on the surface must be removed with a cloth and please make sure that the furniture is fully dry before you use it! We have known people to ruin a lovely set of clothes by sitting on newly oiled furniture!

Here is the process:

* Remove any accumulated dirt by scrubbing with a brush and warm soapy water.

* Any sap on the table can be scraped off using a small knife

* Remove any dirt which has accumulated by rubbing with a stiff brush and warm water.

* Allow the furniture to dry completely

* Sand any rough areas

* Remove additional sap with white spirit

* Pay close attention to the end of the grain and to the joints

* Use a lint free cloth to apply teak oil sparingly

* Wipe off excess oil

* Dry thoroughly before use

NOTE: If the dirt is not removed before treatment, black areas will appear on the surface where the oil and dirt have mixed.

Following these handy tips that John of Garden Furniture Scotland has outlined, will help you to keep your garden furniture looking super for longer and ensure that you make the very most of your garden.

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About the author: John Duff is an expert in buying and selling Garden Furniture. See more of his stuff at Garden Furniture Scotland