OK so the weather has not been too bad this week (can't complain at 28 degrees in October) after some pretty heavy rain and hurricanes. However, it's most definitely approaching that time of year that most of us are starting to think about getting ready to prepare and protect our garden furniture for the winter. Some of the harsh weather we will get in the UK over the coming months can take its toll on all types of garden furniture and if you have room to store it indoors then I would strongly advise you do so.

However, before you even think about popping it in the garage or shed, we would advise that you follow these simple cleaning and maintenance steps and this will ensure it looks as good as new when you get it back out:

1. Clean off all the accumulated dirt and grime
   Wash off any dirt which has built up over the summer with mild soapy water mix and a soft sponge then rinse the furniture with cold water and let it dry thoroughly in the sunshine. It's best to do this on a fine and if possible, windy day too, so that the furniture dries off quickly.
2. Remove and clean all cushions
   Machine wash the cushions and pads from your chairs if you can, but please make sure you check the care instructions first. If they can't go in the washing machine, then sponge clean the cushions and leave them to air dry. Cushions should always be stored indoors and not in a shed or garage which could be damp. Make sure they are fully dry before you put them away, don't store them in any air tight container or bags and this will help to prevent any mildew.
3. Take down and put away your parasol
   Sponge clean your parasol and leave to dry and then bring that indoors too.
4. Fold away or stack your chairs 
   Fold or stack chairs where possible to save space and store them in a shed, outbuilding or garage. If you can't keep them indoors, then move them to a sheltered part of the garden and cover them with a secured waterproof patio furniture cover of a suitable size. This should be close fitting but not too tight, so that some air can circulate around your furniture. Tie the cover to your chairs so they can't blow away.
5. Fold away and store your patio table
   Again, if you can store your table inside along with the chairs then please do so. If you simply don't have the space or if it's too heavy to move, store it under a waterproof cover and tie the cover to the bottom of each table leg to secure.
6. Check your furniture before you put it away
   If you need to store furniture outside then keep an eye on it over winter. After any heavy rain or snow, you should awlays check that water has not gathered under the cover and dry everything off it necessary. Also brush any snow or leaves etc from the stored furniture to prevent it from getting damp and the dirt from building up.

All the different types of patio furniture you can now get require different cleaning and preparation, so with that in mind we've pulled this little overview together so that you can care for your specific type of furniture and keep it looking like new for Summer 2012:

• Wooden Garden Furniture
  You can clean your wooden patio furniture with a soft brush and a good wood cleaner available from any DIY store. Always rinse well and allow to dry thoroughly before applying any stain or finish. At Lazy Susan we clean our wooden furniture with a mix that's a solution of 2 parts laundry detergent with 1 part bleach in a large bucket of warm water. Apply this to the wood with a soft bristle brush to help remove any surface dirt. Thoroughly rinse by spraying with a garden hose (not pressure washer) to remove any leftover suds or any dirt the brushing has removed. If you're satisfied with allowing the the elements to ‘bleach' your wooden garden furniture, then this is all you'll need to doe. Otherwise, you'll want to add the following steps too. You can remove the patina from wooden furniture by using a two-step process and returning it to its original finish. This process normally requires you to apply a caustic cleaner and acid which will remove the patina. Be sure to read the instructions with this type of cleaner to ensure you remain safe. You may also have to lightly sand the piece to fully restore it. Seal your wooden garden furniture with a sealer specifically developed for it the type of timber. This sealant will preserve the natural colour as well as prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Some sealers can even protect it from developing stains when used around food. Do not use varnish or non-recommended sealers on wood furniture as this can damage the wood and require much more sanding in the future. You also don't want to allow water to pool on the furniture as it will cause damage. Follow these patio furniture cleaning tips will help you keep your teak patio furniture looking great. Remember to follow manufacturer's guidelines for caring for your furniture or when using chemicals to clean it.
• Wrought Iron Garden Furniture
  It is always best if you can put iron and steel patio furniture sets away in the garage or shed for the winter. If you do not have a place to store the garden furniture and you would like to cover it, just remember to make sure that your furniture is dry before you cover it. Some plastic furniture covers can promote mold growth or leak, so be careful and always buy quality covers that are specifically designed for garden furniture as these are water resistant but breathable. We always recommend you bring your cushions in from the outdoors in rainy conditions and for winter storage. A little rain will not harm your patio furniture cushions, but consistent exposure to rain or winter weather will fade your cushions and shorten their life expectancy. Using a sponge, kitchen brush, or softer scrub brush, gently remove any dirt or debris from your furniture. Dip your cleaning implement in the soap and water solution as often as you need to. You don't need to worry about wringing it out. Make sure to scrub all parts of the furniture, including the top, bottom, sides and legs. You can rinse the soap from your furniture by using a bucket filled with clean water (just pour it on the furniture) or by using the garden house, which will of course take less time. Don't use too strong of a setting on the hose nozzle or you could risk damaging the paint on your furniture. Your furniture should air dry fairly quickly. After all, it was built for the outdoors. If you have rust on your iron patio furniture, you will want to nip it in the bud as soon as possible, as it will only get worse with time. Start by sanding off any rust and cracked paint. Using the correct type and grade of sandpaper for your furniture (Not sure which? Ask the manufacturer or an employee at the hardware store.), sand off any spots of rust with gentle circular motions. Depending on how much rust is on your furniture, this may require some elbow grease. Once you've sanded everything off that you need to, either hose the furniture off again or wipe off any debris with a cloth. If your furniture is severely rusted, to the point that there are holes, there is not much you that can do to save it at that point. It's best to cut your losses and get new furniture, with a vow to keep it cleaner and dryer in the future. Depending on the type and color of paint on your furniture, you can either use a spray on or brush on paint. There may be a touch-up paint created specifically for your furniture's brand and style. Whatever paint you decide on, apply it by following the directions on the container. Make sure no one touches the furniture until it is completely dry. Once it is dry, you can use the sandpaper to remove any uneven spots in the paint. The easiest way to keep your patio furniture clean is to cover it when you're not using it. You should be able to find vinyl furniture covers at your local hardware or home goods store, especially during the spring and summer months. If you are having trouble finding covers to fit your furniture, you may want to call the manufacturer for advice on where to shop, or perhaps you can order from the company directly. You'll also want to clean up any spills on your furniture as soon as they occur and catch any rust as soon as you see it. The sooner you catch them, the easier it will be – and the less damage to your furniture. If you can't cover or garage your iron garden furniture? Give it a good spray coating of car wax so that the water will bead, not soak into the iron.
• Aluminium Garden Furniture
  Aluminum will not rust because it develops a protective outer exterior to prevent corrosion after being exposed to air, however, this can be a little unsightly but is extremely easy to clean. Start by brushing away dirt particles including leaves, flowers, branches and dried bird droppings. Use a handy nylon-bristled brush or broom. If you have a leaf blower, these are great for blowing away any fallen leaves and accumulated dust and dirt. Hose away any stuck-on dust and dirt. Use the garden hose to quickly wash away all the grime, bird droppings and residue, as well as plant or tree sap and stains. Use hot soapy water (warm water with dishwashing detergent) and a soft nylon-bristled brush or old toothbrush to scrub off any ingrained muck or stains that didn't come off with the hose. Rinse with clean water. Clean, polish and protect aluminum furniture with a soft cloth dipped in a water and vinegar solution. Avoid any abrasive materials that can scratch the aluminum. We always advise our customers to then polish and protect aluminium garden furniture with a couple of thin coats of car wax.
• Plastic Garden Furniture
  Cleaning plastic furniture is not difficult to be honest. However, plastic is porous so merely wiping it down with a damp sponge and mild detergent won't necessarily get it totally clean. White outdoor patio furniture may need a mild bleach solution to keep it sparkling white. Fill a bucket with warm water and detergent. With plastic garden furniture you can use everything from car shampoo, washing up liquid or any general purpose detergent. Add about a quarter of a cup of bleach to the detergent if the furniture is white or heavily mildewed. Make sure you're wearing rubber gloves when using any bleach solution because the chlorine can be very irritating to the skin. Turn the furniture upside down, if possible. Grime and mildew accumulates on the underside too. As long as you are taking the time to really wash your furniture, might as well get all the underside clean. Wash and rinse the underside, then turn the furniture right side up and wash that side last. Scrub the furniture thoroughly with the sponge. Use a toothbrush to get into any nooks and crannies. If the furniture is older or very inexpensive, softer plastic, do not use the scrub side of the sponge unless you really need to remove a stubborn stain. It could scratch the finish. Rinse the furniture completely. If this can be done outside with a garden hose, all the better and plastic garden furniture can withstand the blast of a pressure washer. Dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots. Finish with a coat of car wax for a water repellent shine. Simply follow the directions as for waxing a car and make extra sure to buff it smooth and dry before use.
• Wicker & Rattan Garden Furniture
  Cleaning your Rattan furniture only when it is necessary will help to protect the cushion fabric from wear and tear. When washing the rattan itself always use a soft cloth that has been dampened with furniture polish or a mild washing up liquid/warm water mix. Water and soap can fade the appearance of the furniture, so you only need a drop of washing up liquid to remove any dirt, furniture polish on the other hand really helps to enhance the appearance. Maintaining rattan furniture from abrasion will require that you keep the pets away from the furniture as they may scratch of the coating or topple over any fragile components of the garden furniture. Ensure that you use a natural bristle brush because it is soft enough to keep the rattan from damage and flexible enough to reach the hidden parts of the furniture. In an effort to avoid damage to furniture, see that those around the furniture sit on the cushions and not on the arms or any other structure. Rattan is as beautiful as it is durable, so most rattan furniture needs only basic cleaning and care to preserve its natural strength and color. Follow these basic steps and you can keep your rattan furniture looking as beautiful as the day you purchased it. You really need to clean the surface of wicker and rattan fairly regularly. A monthly or even weekly cleaning is the best way to protect your rattan furniture and prevent major damage. Clean with a little dishwashing detergent diluted into water. Skim the suds off the top of the water with a soft cloth and then wipe the furniture's surface without getting the wood wet. Be sure to get into crevices and grooves with a toothbrush or other small soft bristle brush. Keep the furniture indoors if you can. While rattan certainly likes humidity, it is not outdoor furniture. Keep your rattan indoors and preferably out of direct sunlight and the furniture will last long and look better. Care for stains or other major damage immediately. Use detergent and a cloth to scrub out stains as soon as they occur. For more serious damage like cracking or splitting of the wood, try boiled linseed oil to put moisture back into the material. For the real tough stuff, contact a rattan or wicker expert who can care for the wood with expertise. Do a major cleaning once a year. A thorough cleaning will take care of any dirt that has built up and will also prevent future damage. Scrub the rattan with detergent, using slightly more water than you use for the weekly cleaning. Then, dry the wood as quickly as possible, using a hair dryer or setting the furniture in the sun. Finally, apply a coat of shellac or lacquer to seal the wood until the next year's cleaning. Place rubber stoppers underneath the legs of the furniture. Keeping a bit of rubber between the wood and the floor will prevent unnecessary damage and splitting of the rattan.