Give it a thorough clean

Before you start, give your garden furniture a thorough clean. The easiest way is with a simple sponge and soap and warm water, which should get rid of most dirt.

Wicker furniture can be sprayed down with a hose, or using the low setting of a pressure cleaner. Rust on metal furniture can be rubbed away with wire wool, but go gently. After cleaning all types of outdoor furniture, make sure you dry it thoroughly afterwards.

Find space to store it inside

If you're fortunate enough to have space in a garage or outbuilding, the best way to extend the life of your outdoor furniture over the colder months is to store it inside, where it will be kept safe and dry and away from the wind, rain and snow, all of which can cause wooden furniture to warp and age.

Bear in mind too, that sunshine can bleach the colour from woods and plastics, so if your outbuilding has windows, make sure the furniture is covered with dust sheets or similar.

Cover it up

If you don't have anywhere to store your furniture inside, consider investing in outdoor furniture covers. Either a PVC-backed polyester cover which will keep your furniture protected from the elements, and even have UV-filters built in to prevent sun bleaching. Don't forget, you can buy covers for your barbecue too - well worth the investment, as they often rust.

Treat it with a protective product

Finally, consider treating your furniture with a specialist protecting varnish.