Care & Maintenance

Outdoor materials do not fail in the same ways, so they do not need the same care. The guidance below is organised by material and is deliberately conservative. Where a manufacturer supplies specific instructions with a product, follow those instead.

Two rules apply almost everywhere: do not let water stand on, in, or underneath anything, and do not cover something that is still warm or damp.

Teak

Teak can be left outdoors untreated. Its natural oils resist rot and insects, which is why it is the traditional choice for furniture that stays out. Expect it to weather to a silver-grey patina over the first seasons.

Clean with mild soap, water and a soft brush, working along the grain.
To keep the original honey tone, apply a teak sealer at the start of each season.
Avoid pressure washing, which raises the grain and leaves the surface rough.
Keep moving parts, such as lounger reclining mechanisms, clear of grit.

Acacia and cedar

Both silver over time outdoors. Cedar resists rot and insects without chemical treatment, which is why it is used for raised beds intended to grow food.

Brush off debris and rinse; allow to dry fully before covering.
An exterior wood oil applied annually slows the colour change if you prefer the warmer tone.
Do not apply standard timber preservative to the inner faces of raised beds used for growing food.
Check fixings on structures such as pergolas annually.

Aluminium

Aluminium does not rust, which is what allows it to stay out through winter without staining the surface beneath it.

Wash with mild soap and water.
Touch up chips in the powder coat promptly to keep the finish sound.
Cast aluminium is heavy but not immovable — lift rather than drag to protect both the feet and your paving.

Rattan and rope

Brush the weave with a soft brush and rinse; a soft brush reaches into the weave where a cloth will not.
Allow to dry fully before putting cushions back on.
Keep frames dry at the joints and touch up chips in the powder coat.
Open rope weaves dry quickly by design — water passes through rather than sitting in padding.

Steel and cast iron

Galvanised and powder-coated steel: rinse and keep the coating intact. Exposed steel under a chipped coating will rust.
Oxidised steel fire bowls develop a rust patina by design; this is the finish, not a fault. Be aware it can mark porous paving beneath.
Cast iron: keep dry when not in use. If surface rust appears, season with a light coat of oil.
Empty ash from any fire product only once it is completely cold.

Concrete and stoneware

Wipe with a damp cloth; both develop character outdoors and are meant to.
Raise planters onto pot feet over winter so the base is not sitting in standing water.
Both can mark porous paving — use pot feet or a saucer on natural stone.
Move heavy pieces before filling them, not after.

Copper

Solid copper develops a natural patina over its first seasons. This is expected and is the reason to choose solid copper over plated finishes, which flake.
Do not polish unless you specifically want to reset the patina.
On solar copper fittings, keep the panel clean — a dusty panel is the most common reason a solar light dims.

Outdoor textiles

Stand cushions on edge after heavy rain so both faces dry evenly.
Store cushions, pillows and throws dry over winter; sustained damp encourages mildew regardless of how good the fabric is.
Removable covers unzip for washing; follow the care label.
Lift outdoor rugs periodically — leaving any rug permanently in place on decking traps damp underneath and marks the boards.

Outdoor lighting

Wipe solar panels clear of dust, pollen and leaf debris seasonally. Post caps collect debris faster than staked lights because nothing washes them.
Keep planting trimmed back from panels; overhanging growth is the usual reason one light in a border dims while its neighbours stay bright.
Check low-voltage connections annually and keep them clear of standing water.
Bring rechargeable lamps indoors when not in use, and avoid storing them fully discharged.

Grills and fire products

Brush cooking grates after each use and empty the grease tray regularly — grease build-up is the main cause of flare-ups.
Vacuum the fire pot and empty ash on pellet grills; build-up causes temperature swings and startup problems.
Keep pellets dry; damp pellets swell and jam the auger.
Season the interior of an offset smoker with cooking oil before first use and after cleaning.
Never pour water on hot ceramic — thermal shock can crack a kamado body.
Let bioethanol burners cool fully before refilling. Refilling a hot burner is the most common cause of accidents with this fuel.
Disconnect propane tanks before storing gas appliances.

Winter storage

Bring textiles, cushions and rechargeable items indoors or into dry storage.
Drain and store solar pumps in freezing regions.
Empty and store metal watering cans dry — standing water freezes and distorts the body.
Take down shade sails and outdoor curtains rather than leaving them to be battered.
Raise planters onto feet so water drains away from the base.