How To Clean Hartman Garden Furniture: IOL’s Complete Guide

If you’re the proud owner of some beautiful  Hartman garden furniture, then you may be wondering  how to keep it in the best condition possible. Knowing how to clean Hartman garden furniture plays a crucial role in caring for your favourite pieces and ensuring they maintain their quality. The cleaning and care that’s required will depend on whether you own aluminium or rattan garden furniture. The following guide looks at how to clean both for the best possible finish. Let’s start by taking a look at how to clean Hartman garden furniture that’s made from cast aluminium.

How To Clean Hartman Cast Aluminium Garden Furniture

Cast aluminium is a remarkably durable material that if cared for correctly, can maintain its quality for years to come. Whilst cast aluminium doesn’t rust, it can be subject to oxidation, for example if stored incorrectly during the colder months. If your Hartman cast aluminium garden furniture is in good condition then washing it with a hot, soapy cloth and leaving it to dry naturally will do the trick nicely. However, if there are signs of oxidation, such as pitting or flaking, then you’ll need to take the following additional steps:

1. Use a stiff wire brush to remove any loose debris from the surface, including any flaking caused by oxidation
2. Wearing rubber gloves, scrub the metal using a non-abrasive scouring pad. For light oxidation, a simple acidic solution of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water will do the trick. For heavy oxidation, use a marine aluminium cleaner that’s free from chemicals, always ensure to follow the instructions the product gives, and in our estimation it’s best to always try on an underside of the furniture before committing. 
3. Rinse the frame with warm water and dry thoroughly with a towel
4. On the odd occasion you can add a very light coat of car wax with a cloth to prevent oxidation and add some shine 

A key part of how to clean Hartman garden furniture correctly is using the right products and it’s crucial to avoid using alkaline based cleaning products for cast aluminium. Any products that contain chemicals such as ammonia or Trisodium Phosphate should also be avoided. These are likely to be found in multi-surface cleaners, bathroom cleaners (including toilet cleaner) and stainless steel cleaners, as well as in some polishing waxes.

How To Clean Hartman Rattan/Weave Garden Furniture

As we mentioned a little earlier, the steps involved in how to clean Hartman garden furniture will vary depending on whether you own cast aluminium or rattan or weave models. The benefit of cleaning rattan is that you don’t face the challenge of oxidation. As a result, cleaning involves the following simple steps:

1. Gently loosen and remove mud or moss using a stiff brush or vacuum cleaner. You may need to use a toothbrush to reach spots that are too small to get to with a larger bristled brush 
2. Wipe the surface using a sponge soaked in soapy water
3. Using a clean sponge or cloth, rinse the surface with fresh water, making sure to remove any soapy residue
4. Dry as thoroughly as possible using a cloth and leave to dry out completely 

If you have a rattan garden table, you can clean the glass or ceramic table top using a damp soft cloth before rinsing and leaving to dry, standard household glass cleaners work nicely for glass finished surfaces too. Just make sure to avoid using the type of brush that you use for the rest of the furniture as this could cause scratches.

When cleaning rattan or weave you should always remember to avoid using the following:

• Pressure washer. This is too forceful and could damage your furniture, dislodging the weave
• Cleaning products that contain bleach, scouring agents and corrosive properties. These can cause cracks to develop

Cleaning Weatheready® Cushions

Our guide on how to clean Hartman Garden Furniture wouldn’t be complete without mentioning how to care for the Weatheready® cushions that come with so many Hartman pieces. Luckily, Weatheready® cushions are naturally durable and so don’t require a huge amount of TLC. If your cushion covers are removable then you can take them off and hand wash them in warm soapy water. If they are not removable, it’s still really easy to remove dirt and spillages using the following method:

1. Make a solution of warm soapy water with mild detergent (2 caps of detergent should do)
2. Using a soft brush, scrub the solution into the cushion
3. Wipe away the soapy residue using a soft, wet cloth
4. Press the cushion between two towels to squeeze any excess water out of it 
5. Leave to dry naturally, ensuring they are completely dry before you either use them or store them away. This is to prevent the buildup of mould or mildew

The Importance Of Covering Your Garden Furniture

Knowing how to clean Hartman garden furniture is just one crucial part of maintaining good care practices. It’s also recommended that you protect your outdoor furniture using a protective cover, particularly in cold weather. Hartman’s protective covers are bespoke fitted  to their respective outdoor furniture pieces, making them easy to use. They are completely water/weather-resistant, as well as offering crucial protection against the likes of bird droppings and tree debris. 

For further guidance on how to clean Hartman garden furniture you can find handy youtube guides through their page, or please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the IOL team.