YOU'VE organised a BBQ and the guests are about to arrive... when you realise all the garden furniture is covered in green algae.

You panic, unsure what to do, and consider cancelling the gathering.

But this doesn't have to happen - the party can still go ahead this warm weekend thanks to three cheap and easy hacks that will transform the outdoor tables and chairs almost in an instant.

Chatting to The Express, expert at Be Furniture Sales explained that algae "can quickly take over the entire area" - but fortunately, there are ways to banish it.

They said: "When neglected, algae growth on wooden surfaces can lead to decay.

''On wrought iron furniture, it can cause rust which weakens your chairs and tables."

According to the gurus, it's best to steer clear of using harsh chemicals - although they might remove algae, these could destroy the material of the furniture.

Begin he cleaning process by removing all cushions and covers and wash them separately.

For hand-wash-only coverings, soak them in a large bucket or bathtub filled with warm water and laundry detergent.

For machine-washable fabrics, the experts recommended using a cup of white vinegar mixed with laundry detergent - this will target mould spores.

Be Furniture Sales said: "The cheapest way to get rid of algae on your garden furniture is by using water and a mild detergent.

''Put a few drops of dish soap into a bucket of warm water. Swirl your fingers around till the water lathers."

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Then dip a stiff-bristled brush into the water and scrub the algae spots from your outdoor furniture.

Once complete, you can use a garden hose to rinse the soapy residue off and finish the transformation with a dry towel to soak up any remaining moisture.

Mix equal part of white vinegar and warm water in a bucket and swirl with a clean brush, before scrubbing the furniture vigorously to remove algae and dirt.

The pros reminded: "Remember to rinse the brush off excess algae as you continue scrubbing.

''Once you are done, rinse the furniture with enough water and check out for spots that could need more work.

''Redo such areas until you eliminate all algae traces, then rinse thoroughly."

In a big container, add two parts white vinegar to one part water and stir in three heaped teaspoons of baking soda.

Using the same scrubbing method, apply the mixture onto the algae stains and let it do its magic for 10 minutes.

Add more of the solution and scrub once more to eliminate lingering residue. Leave to dry in the sun.

"You can support the chairs and tables with bricks to prevent the legs from soaking in water for an extended period, which can cause more damage."

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