How to Care for Your Wooden Garden Furniture

Keep your furniture looking its best with these simple tips

Discover how to care for your garden furniture with our expert guide. Learn the best ways to clean, protect, and preserve your outdoor furniture to keep it looking its best for years to come.

Beautiful wooden garden furniture deserves a little care to help it last a lifetime. Our British handmade furniture is crafted from durable hardwoods like teak, oak, iroko, and sweet chestnut – all naturally suited to life outdoors. Still, a few simple steps will help preserve its strength and character for years to come.

Savanah extendable solid hardwood table with Wynyard foldable chairs handmade in FSC-certified teak in a private garden. Made by Teak Garden Furniture. Both are are available in hardwoods including teak, oak, sweet chestnut and iroko and come with a 15-year guarantee.

Savanah extendable solid hardwood table with Wynyard foldable chairs handmade in FSC-certified teak and treated to maintain colour

1. Let It Weather Naturally (or Not)

Teak and other premium hardwoods require very little maintenance. Left untreated, they develop a soft silver-grey patina that many of our customers love. If you’d rather preserve the rich golden tones, a quality teak sealer applied once or twice a year will do the job beautifully.

This approach works especially well on signature pieces like our garden benches or larger garden tables, where the natural finish is part of the charm.

2. Keep It Clean

Dirt and grime can dull your furniture over time. We recommend an occasional clean using a soft brush or cloth, mild soap, and warm water. Avoid pressure washers or harsh cleaning products, they can damage the wood and loosen joints.

For families, our children’s furniture, particularly our colourful children’s picnic table is especially popular in spring and summer – keeping them clean ensures they’re ready for spontaneous garden tea parties.

Barfleur bench in FSC-certified oak on the Devon coast. All our benches are handmade in the UK from solid certified hardwoods including teak, oak, sweet chestnut and iroko and come with a 15-year guarantee.

Barfleur bench in FSC-certified oak on the Devon coast

3. Allow for Movement

Wood is a living material. It will naturally expand and contract with the seasons, especially outdoors. Minor cracks or small changes in shape are a normal part of how hardwoods behave and don’t affect the structural integrity of your furniture.

4. Mind Where You Place It

Timber furniture fares best on well-drained, even ground. Avoid placing it where legs will sit in standing water for extended periods—this can shorten its lifespan.
When we hand-deliver your furniture, we’ll be happy to help you choose the best spot for it in your garden or outdoor space.

Planning a flexible seating area? Our reclining garden chairs fold flat for easy storage and are ideal for patios, terraces, or moving with the sun.

A 6 year old Mitford Bench, Dene Coffee Table and Mitford Chair, all in FSC-certified teak showing the beautiful silver patina that comes with time and weathering. All are handmade in the UK from solid certified hardwoods including teak, oak, sweet chestnut and iroko and come with a 15-year guarantee.

A 6 year old FSC-certified teak set showing the beautiful silver patina that comes with time and weathering

5. Use Covers with Caution

Covers can be helpful, especially in the winter months, but choose ones that are breathable. Trapped moisture under non-breathable covers can lead to mould and mildew.

Alternatively, our folding chairs, lightweight benches and compact tables are easy to move into sheltered spots when needed.

6. Store Seasonally (But Only If You Want To)

All of our furniture is designed to be left outside year-round, but some customers prefer to store it during winter. If you do, ensure it’s clean and completely dry before putting it away.

Lightweight pieces like our folding tables make this an easy option for more compact gardens or spaces.

Pair of 1.2m Cleopatra benches in FSC-certified hardwood. One bench is one year old, the other 30 years old - a testament hat our benches stand the test of time! All our benches are handmade in the UK from solid certified hardwoods including teak, oak, sweet chestnut and iroko and come with a 15-year guarantee.

Two Cleopatra benches delivered to the same client 30 years apart, showing how well our garden furniture stands the test of time!

7. Avoid DIY Repairs

Please don’t attempt structural repairs or alterations yourself. If something doesn’t feel right, get in touch with us, we’re always happy to help. It may be covered under our 15-year guarantee, which covers manufacturing faults and structural issues.

Need Help or Advice?

Whether you’re caring for a much-loved garden bench, refreshing a favourite chair, or planning your next addition, we’re here to help you make the most of your outdoor space. If you have something more specific in mind, take a look at our bespoke design service – ideal for unique gardens, heritage settings, or one-of-a-kind gifts.

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4 June 2025

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