Care Guide: Aluminium Garden FurnitureUpdated 3 hours ago
Caring for your aluminium garden furniture
Aluminium is one of the most practical and durable materials for outdoor furniture. It is naturally rust-resistant, lightweight, and built to withstand year-round outdoor conditions. While aluminium furniture is low-maintenance by nature, a little regular care will keep it looking its best and protect the powder-coat finish for longer.
Routine cleaning
Clean aluminium frames regularly with warm soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge. Work across all surfaces including underneath crossbars, along frame joints, and inside any hollow sections where debris can accumulate. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap residue and allow to dry naturally before replacing cushions or fitting covers.
For a more thorough seasonal clean, a soft-bristled brush can be used to get into frame joints and woven sections. Avoid abrasive scourers or wire wool, which will scratch the powder-coat finish and make the surface more susceptible to marking in future.
Important: Do not use cleaning products containing bleach, ammonia, or solvents on powder-coated aluminium. These will damage and discolour the coating over time. Warm soapy water is all that is needed for routine cleaning.
The powder-coat finish
Most aluminium garden furniture is finished with a powder coating — a durable, hardwearing colour finish that also provides an additional layer of protection against the elements. The coating is resistant to fading, chipping, and corrosion under normal conditions, but it can be damaged by sharp impacts or by dragging furniture across rough surfaces.
Always lift furniture when repositioning rather than dragging it. If the powder coat becomes chipped — exposing the bare aluminium beneath — treat the exposed area promptly with a touch-up paint suitable for powder-coated metals - in most cases we can supply RAL code matched touch up paint. This prevents moisture from getting under the coating and causing corrosion at that point.
Please note: Minor colour variation between pieces and between production batches is normal for powder-coated aluminium and is not a defect. Over many years of outdoor exposure, some gradual lightening of colour is also normal and considered natural wear.
White oxidation marks
Aluminium can occasionally develop a fine white oxidation on uncoated or lightly coated areas — typically visible as a chalky white residue. This is a natural reaction between aluminium and moisture over time and is more common on furniture used in coastal or high-humidity environments. It can be gently removed with a soft cloth dampened with a small amount of white vinegar solution or a dedicated aluminium cleaner. Always rinse and dry thoroughly after treating.
Fixings and connectors
Although aluminium is rust-resistant, the screws, bolts, and connecting hardware used in furniture construction are sometimes made from steel or other metals. Inspect all fixings at the start of each season — particularly after a wet winter — and treat any surface rust with a rust remover before it has a chance to spread or compromise the fixing. Tighten any loose screws or bolts with the correct tool. We do not recommend using power tools on garden furniture fixings as over-tightening can strip threads or crack frame sections, which may void your warranty.
Coastal and high-pollution environments
If your furniture is positioned near the coast or in an urban area with higher pollution levels, we recommend cleaning more frequently — ideally monthly during the season rather than once or twice a year. Salt air and airborne pollutants can accelerate the breakdown of the powder coating if allowed to build up on the surface over time. Rinse the furniture down with fresh water after any particularly salty or stormy weather.
Furniture covers
Aluminium furniture can be left outdoors year-round, but using breathable furniture covers during periods of non-use — and throughout winter — will keep it cleaner and preserve the powder-coat finish for significantly longer. Always ensure the furniture is clean and dry before fitting covers. Use a breathable, air-vented cover rather than a non-breathable PVC-backed one, which can trap moisture against the frame.
Winter care
Aluminium furniture does not need to be stored indoors over winter, but a few simple steps at the end of the season will keep it in excellent condition. Give the furniture a thorough clean, allow it to dry completely, check and tighten all fixings, and fit well-secured breathable furniture covers. Brush off any snow or ice promptly — do not allow it to sit on the furniture for extended periods. Remove and store cushions indoors over winter.
Please note: While aluminium itself will not corrode, prolonged pooling of water in joints and hollow sections during freezing conditions can cause stress on seams over time. Ensuring covers are fitted and water can drain freely from the frame will prevent this.
What to avoid
Seasonal maintenance checklist
Work through this at the start of each season to keep your aluminium furniture in top condition.
- Clean all frame surfaces with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry
- Inspect the powder-coat finish for any chips or scratches and touch up with suitable paint where needed
- Check for any white oxidation marks and treat with white vinegar solution or aluminium cleaner
- Inspect and tighten all fixings, screws, and bolts by hand — treat any surface rust promptly
- Check furniture covers for tears or worn patches and replace if they no longer offer full protection
- Bring out cushions from storage and check for mould, odour, or damage before use