My unpainted wooden garden bench has been outside all winter and is now looking worse for wear. What can I do to revive it?

Clean the bench with a stiff-bristled brush then sand it all over. Remove the sanding dust with a cloth dipped in white spirit rather than water. When the wood’s dry, apply an exterior wood oil or treatment in the direction of the grain, following the instructions on the tin.

Make sure you coat every bit of the bench, especially underneath and on the legs.

To keep your bench looking good it’s worth investing in a waterproof garden-furniture cover.