Garden Bench Protection

There is often a label with the manufacturers treatment recommendations on new furniture. Better quality furniture often has a pre treatment already applied.

I usually use teak oil, applied before the furniture is stored for winter and then again around July time. I prepare the furniture by washing it down with a mild detergent and letting it dry for a week, before applying the oil.
It's best to store furniture under cover during the winter, or at least cover it with a tarpaulin, or similar. Furniture exposed to the elements all winter deteriorates quite quickly.

Exterior varnish is an option and provides better protection to furniture that over winters outdoors, but can be a pain when it starts to peel.