For many years we have always believed that our rattan furniture needs protection during the winter months only. Well, if you want to make the most of your furniture for many years to come then you will also need to protect it during the summer months too.

With the inconsistencies of the British weather, it’s sometimes hard to know exactly what each day will bring but that doesn’t mean that you should be unprepared. We’ve put together some top tips for protecting your garden furniture during the summer months, as well as the winter.

When we purchase our rattan furniture, we are very often given protective covers free or at least at a discount so that we can use them to help protect our furniture. What isn’t normally explained is that these covers should really only be used for the winter months and not during the hot summer conditions. When a large plastic, waterproof cover is used on your rattan furniture during the summer it can cause alt more damage to your furniture than if you had left it uncovered.

Most garden furniture will be waterproof, maybe except for the cushions and other soft furnishings, so a good downpour of rain is not going to make much of a difference to your rattan furniture. If your furniture is covered in the hot sun it can cause the furniture to sweat and cause other problems. Sometimes the backing from the covers in this situation can peel off and make a mess of your furniture too.

Keep your furniture covers tucked away until winter. They are there mainly to protect your furniture from the harsh conditions of winter.

Most garden furniture nowadays comes with some kind of cushion set or other soft furnishings. These are the most vulnerable part of your rattan furniture and a little extra care should be taken to ensure that these are protected from rain more than anything else. With the unpredictable weather that we have in the UK, it’s always best to put the cushions in a protective bag and store them safely away in your garage or shed until they are needed. There is nothing worse than going out for a relaxing afternoon in your garden and sitting down on a soggy cushion!

Its always recommended that cushions are not stored under the furniture covers, either in winter or summer. This can cause the cushions to sweat and this is the main cause of mold buildup that can be very difficult to remove.

Over the years there have been many stories about glass table tops shattering during the summer months as the temperatures rise. Although this is a rare occurrence, it is still possible under certain circumstances. Try to keep your tabletops in the shade for as long as possible during hot summer days. A garden parasol is a great idea to not only offer shade to you and your family and friends but also to your rattan furniture. This will ensure your glass tabletop doesn’t explode from overheating.

There is an independent article available from the British Contract Furnishing Association giving a lot more details and some great advice about how to care for your glass in order to prevent your glass tabletops from shattering. You can read the article here for more advice.

Glass tabletops can also cause other problems when it’s a hot sunny day. Always ensure that with any glassware you use some kind of coaster or another mat for the glass to sit on. In very sunny conditions a glass can act as a magnifying glass. This has the possibility of refracting the light from the sun and causing it to be magnified and end up melting the rattan table. Just bear this in mind next time you put your wine glass down on the table!

These few simple tips should ensure that you keep your rattan garden furniture in tip-top condition all year round. Your furniture is built to last you several years, following these simple tips will help ensure that you get the most from your furniture sets all year round.