How to keep garden gear looking its best

Experts offer top tips to protect your outdoor furniture from sun, rain and mildew - and make it last more than one summer. By LARA OWEN

- By LARA OWEN

AS SUMMER kicks into full swing, it's finally time to soak up the sun there is, al fresco.

But outdoor furniture has a habit of only looking good for the first year then mildew, rust and rot seem to creep in.

There are some easy ways to keep it looking its best all season, it just requires a bit of prep.

Here, experts share their tips on how to clean, protect and store your furniture so it weathers the elements in style.

How to clean metal and wood

Cleaning your outdoor furniture doesn't mean taking a pressure washer to it - in fact it's quite the opposite.

"Start by removing any cushions or upholstery and storing them somewhere dry and airy," says Polhill Garden Centre's director, Josh Novell, "then tackle the furniture itself."

For metal furniture, Josh recommends "a mix of warm water and mild dish soap [...] Use a soft cloth or sponge to avoid scratching the surface", while wooden furniture "needs a bit more care," he says.