Chairs, tables, rocking chairs, gazebos, children's slides and the barbecue stand outdoors for months on end. They are exposed to sun, rain, dew, road dust, pool chlorine and, in winter, frost. Without care, plastic dulls, wood greys and cracks, and metal rusts and squeaks.
Regular care matched to the material adds years to garden furniture. Here is what each material and mechanism needs.
What you will need
Important: Never clean plastic with solvents. Do not apply lubricant to the barbecue firebox, grill or any surface that touches food. Make sure nobody is sitting on a swing before you work on it.
Step 1
Wash plastic furniture and rattan
White plastic comes up well with this mix: 1 litre of warm water, half a glass of baking soda, half a glass of pharmacy hydrogen peroxide and a little detergent. Apply it with a brush, leave for a few minutes and rinse. For coloured plastic, use the same mix without the peroxide so the colour does not fade.
Wash rattan with water and detergent only. For heavy dirt you can carefully use a pressure washer on a low setting from a distance.
Step 2
Refresh wooden furniture
Wash the wood with water and detergent and let it dry completely. If the surface has greyed or turned rough, sand it lightly with P140-P180 paper, remove the dust and brush on a wood treatment. A UV-protective varnish on top is a good idea.
Even outdoor wooden furniture is best moved under cover for the winter.
Step 3
Protect metal surfaces
Rust-free metal only needs washing, brushing and drying well. Then apply WD-40 Multi-Use and spread it with a cloth: the thin film repels moisture and protects against corrosion. For large frames and gazebos, WD-40 Trigger Pro is more convenient.
Painted metal is worth recoating every 2-3 years with an anti-corrosion paint, especially where the finish has cracked.
Step 4
Lubricate hinges and moving mechanisms
After cleaning, treat hinges, folding chair arms, pivots, spring mountings and runners with WD-40 Multi-Use at regular intervals. It eases movement and protects against oxidation.
For heavily loaded points such as swing pivots and rocking chair hangers, WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease is a better choice. The thick formula does not wash off in the rain, clings to the metal and reduces friction for a long time.
Step 5
Check children's play equipment
Swings, slides, see-saws and playhouses need extra attention. Lubricate the moving parts more often than on ordinary furniture and regularly inspect ropes, chains, carabiners and fixings so you spot wear early. Replace damaged parts straight away. Wipe any surfaces children touch thoroughly after lubricating.
Step 6
Look after the barbecue and outdoor kitchen
Clean a metal barbecue after every use. Treat the moving parts, handles, wheels and lid fixings, but not the firebox or grill, with WD-40 Multi-Use: it protects against rust and frees seized parts. Brick ovens and barbecues just need thorough cleaning and a check that rain cannot get into the brickwork. At the end of the season, inspect them for cracks caused by high temperatures.
Tip: Near a swimming pool, metal rusts faster because of chlorine and splashes. Wipe that furniture with
WD-40 Multi-Use every month rather than once a season.
What next
Do the main maintenance in spring before the season and check and lubricate hinges once a month in summer. In autumn, remember to prepare the furniture for winter using our separate guide.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».