While our garden sofa sets are built to withstand any garden environment, including grassy areas, we recommend them for use on solid ground such as patios. If you’re choosing to place your furniture on grass, be sure that your lawn is dry, level, and firm ahead of time. Leaving outdoor furniture on your lawn for too long can cause damage to your garden, so be sure to move your garden lounge set regularly when using it on grass. This will give your lawn the sunlight and air necessary for it to survive.

Your garden lounge set maintenance routine will look different depending on which materials your furniture is using:

Rattan

Rattan sofa sets can be cleaned every 1 to 3 months with a damp cloth and mild soapy water before being rinsed and dried with a dry cloth. Use a soft brush to clean between smaller areas and remove any dirt that may be embedded.

Metal

For aluminium sofa sets, dust your surfaces off with a dry cloth, then clean with warm soapy water. Rinse with clean water shortly after, before leaving to air dry for at least an hour.

Wood

Different types of wood will require differing amounts of care. For instance, teak wood is particularly resistant but needs maintenance to avoid damage. Wash occasionally with only water and a soft brush, and clean any dirt away once or twice a year with a suitable teak cleaning product. Acacia wood should be lightly sanded on its top layer before having a fresh PU coating added annually, whereas plywood only requires warm soapy water.

Fabrics

Fabrics and cushions can be cleaned regularly with warm soapy water, although keep an eye on any care labels for extra advice, as many are stain-resistant and may only need water. Outdoor cushions typically cannot be machine washed or tumble dried.

Rope

Rope furniture can also be spot cleaned with warm soapy water, but you may wish to apply an upholstery protector to better defend against stains.

Barker and Stonehouse outdoor sofa sets come in a variety of materials to suit your preferences. Our metal furniture is made with sleek, lightweight aluminium, while our wooden options typically use naturally resistant acacia wood. Our rattan products also offer a stylish and easy-to-clean option. However you want to style your garden, we have options that will work for you!

Poolside furniture should be made from water-resistant materials to protect it from splashes. We recommend metal and wood furniture for your pool, as both are easy to protect from the environment and quick to clean. Fabric chairs such as rope will be difficult to keep in good shape in a poolside area by comparison.