Garden furniture serves us all summer, and in autumn the question is how to keep it in shape. A Ukrainian winter with thaws, wet snow and hard frosts makes wood crack, metal rust and plastic brittle.
Preparation takes one weekend: move it somewhere dry or cover it, wash it, protect it according to the material and just freshen it up in spring.
What you will need
- WD-40 Multi-Use for metal, hinges and fixings
- WD-40 Trigger Pro for large metal sets
- WD-40 Specialist Silicone for plastic
- a bucket of warm water, plain soap or baking soda
- a soft sponge, brush and microfibre cloths
- for wood: sandpaper and an exterior wood treatment
- breathable covers or a tarpaulin
Important: Always store cushions, mattresses and fabric seats indoors in a dry place, not under a cover outside, where they go mouldy. Remove bird droppings straight away, as they eat into finishes.
Step 1
Decide where the furniture will spend the winter
Ideally move furniture you will not use into a shed, garage or cellar, and cover large lounge sets that will not fit. Remove cushions and fabric parts first and store them somewhere dry.
The cover must breathe. Tight plastic sheeting traps condensation and causes stains and mould.
Step 2
Wash the furniture before storing
Dirt left on over winter eats into finishes and causes rust, so wash the furniture wherever it will stand. Wipe large surfaces with a damp cloth and brush seams and corners.
Tackle stubborn marks with plain soap or baking soda, rinse and dry thoroughly.
Step 3
Protect wooden furniture
Dust the wood first, wash it with warm water and a neutral cleaner along the grain and let it dry. Then sand it lightly to remove the old layer and open the pores, and apply a fresh exterior wood treatment or stain suited to the type of timber.
Clean the hinges, bolts and connectors of wooden furniture with WD-40 Multi-Use: it drives moisture out of the threads, so the screws will undo easily in spring. Fill cracks and secure loose slats before the frosts.
Step 4
Protect metal furniture from rust
Steel and wrought iron furniture is usually galvanised or powder coated. If the coating is intact, simply wash the frame and apply WD-40 Multi-Use: it repels moisture, protects against corrosion and lubricates moving parts. For a large set the WD-40 Trigger Pro trigger spray is easier. Spray, let it work and spread it with a cloth.
Scratches and chips are where rust starts: clean them with WD-40 Multi-Use, degrease and touch up with metal paint.
Step 5
Look after aluminium, plastic and rattan
Aluminium hardly rusts, but ingrained dirt damages its protective layer. Wash it with soapy water, dry it and do not wrap it tightly in plastic. Wash and dry plastic, then treat it with WD-40 Specialist Silicone on a cloth and buff off the excess. Keep plastic under cover in winter, as frost makes it brittle.
Rattan, wicker and rush only need vacuuming and wiping with a barely damp soft cloth and neutral soap. Dry them thoroughly and store them indoors only.
Step 6
Bring the furniture back out in spring
Once the frosts are over, wipe the furniture with a damp cloth or soapy water, rinse and dry. Before first use, spray WD-40 Multi-Use onto the hinges of folding chairs and loungers so they stay squeak-free all summer.
Tip: Put wooden blocks or plastic pads under the legs of furniture left outdoors so it does not stand in meltwater or freeze into the ice.
What next
Prepare furniture for winter in late October, before lasting frosts. The same WD-40 Multi-Use comes in handy for garden tools.
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».