Caring for a decorative piece outdoors

A decorative piece outdoors asks for little, but it asks for the right thing. Most of the damage we see does not come from time passing: it comes from cleaning too vigorously.

What never to do

• The pressure washer. This is the number one cause of damage. The jet strips the finish out of carved hollows and leaves dull patches that cannot be put right.
• Abrasive products, scouring cream, green scourers. They scratch the finish permanently.
• Neat bleach on a patinated or gilded finish: it discolours in patches.

The basic routine, twice a year

Coming out of winter and going into autumn: rinse with clean water from a hose at no pressure, then work over the piece with a soft brush or non-abrasive sponge and a little mild soap. Pay attention to the hollows where dust gathers. Rinse and let it air dry.

Green marks and deposits

Moss and algae appear mostly in shade and on north-facing sides. Warm water with soft soap, left for ten minutes then brushed gently, is enough in the great majority of cases. If the deposit resists, repeat rather than increase the dose.

Before winter

Resin finishes handle frost well. The thing to watch is standing water: empty fountain basins, turn over or cover bowls and vases so water cannot freeze inside them. It is the expansion of ice, not the cold, that splits a piece.

Bringing back the shine

Once the piece is clean and completely dry, a colourless wax for reconstituted stone, applied with a soft cloth once a year, revives the depth of the finish and makes dirt less likely to cling. Test on a discreet area first.

Well cared for, a resin piece keeps its appearance for years. Cleaned badly just once, it carries the mark of that moment for good.