Caring for your aluminium furniture.
One of the most low-maintenance materials you can put in a garden — a little routine care keeps both contemporary and cast aluminium looking sharp for years.
What your furniture is made of
Your furniture is built from aluminium with a powder-coated finish. Aluminium doesn’t rust, it’s naturally light to move around, and the powder coating gives it a tough, weatherproof colour layer designed to last. Many of our tables also feature sintered stone or ceramic tops, which are heat-, scratch- and stain-resistant.
It comes in two forms, and the care is slightly different for each:
Contemporary aluminium
Lightweight tube or flat-section frames with a smooth powder-coated finish, often paired with sintered stone, ceramic or glass tops. Clean lines, very low maintenance.
Cast aluminium
Heavier, moulded frames with decorative lattice or detailed patterning — the classic café and provincial look. The same rust-free metal, but the textured surface needs a little more attention when cleaning.
Routine cleaning
Aluminium asks very little of you. A wipe-down now and then through the season, plus a proper clean once or twice a year, is all it needs.
Brush or rinse off loose dirt
Clear away dust, pollen and leaf debris with a soft brush or a quick rinse before you start — this stops grit being rubbed into the finish.
Wash with warm soapy water
Use a soft cloth or sponge with mild washing-up liquid and warm water. Wipe the frames down, then rinse with clean water.
Work into the detail (cast aluminium)
For cast pieces, a soft brush helps lift dirt out of the lattice work and moulded grooves where a cloth can't reach.
Dry it off
Wipe down with a dry, soft cloth or let it air-dry. Drying the frames — especially around joints and feet — helps prevent water spots and keeps moisture from sitting in the detail.
Caring for sintered stone & ceramic
Sintered stone and ceramic tops are exceptionally tough — heat-, scratch- and UV-resistant — but they still appreciate a simple wipe-down.
Everyday
Warm soapy water and a soft cloth handles almost everything. Wipe up spills like red wine, oil or food before they dry, and the surface stays pristine. No sealing or special treatment needed.
Stubborn marks
For dried-on residue, a non-abrasive surface cleaner and a soft sponge will lift it. Avoid wire wool, scouring pads and harsh acidic or bleach-based cleaners, which can dull the finish over time.
Keep it simple — and safe
Do
- Use mild soap and warm water
- Wipe with a soft cloth or sponge
- Dry frames and joints after washing
- Use felt pads under items on stone tops
- Check feet and fixings once a season
Don’t
- Use a high-pressure jet wash on the finish
- Use abrasive pads, wire wool or scourers
- Use bleach, solvents or harsh chemicals
- Drag furniture — lift it to move it
- Leave standing water pooled on surfaces
Looking after the soft bits
Cushions
Most covers are removable — check the care label and spot-clean or hand-wash as directed. Never tumble-dry. Store cushions indoors or in a dry box when not in use; they're shower-resistant, not designed to sit out through a downpour.
Protective covers
A breathable cover keeps your set cleaner between uses and protects stone tops from staining. Make sure everything is clean and dry first, and choose a cover that ventilates so moisture doesn't get trapped underneath.
Season by season
Aluminium can stay outdoors all year — it won’t rust and it’s fully weatherproof — but we recommend covering it over the colder, wetter months. A breathable cover keeps frames and stone tops clean, and stops water pooling and freezing in the detail of cast pieces.
A few common questions
- Will the finish fade? Powder coating is UV-stable, so any change over many years is gradual and even. Keeping it clean and covered over winter helps it stay looking new for longer.
- Can I leave it out all winter? Yes — aluminium doesn't rust and is fully weatherproof. We recommend covering it through winter to keep it cleaner and protect the stone tops.
- I've got small white marks on the frame. That's usually surface oxidation or hard-water spotting, not rust (aluminium can't rust). Warm soapy water and a soft cloth will lift most of it; dry well afterwards.
- Can I put hot pans on a sintered stone top? The surface is highly heat-resistant, but it's good practice to use a trivet for very hot cookware, and felt pads under anything that might scratch as it's moved.
- A foot or fixing has worked loose. Frames can settle with use. Most feet and fixings can simply be re-tightened — if anything won't hold, get in touch before using the piece.
Your furniture is covered by a 3-year warranty. Looking after it as set out here helps keep it within the terms of that guarantee. Damage caused by misuse, pressure washing, harsh chemicals or being left uncovered in extreme conditions isn’t covered — so a little routine care protects your cover as well as your furniture.
Need a hand?
If something doesn’t look right, or you’re not sure how to tackle a mark or a repair, please contact your retailer before you reach for anything stronger. They’ll always rather help you get it right first time.