We all know that winter is coming, and we are ready. We have prepared the home for winter by making sure it is insulated and heated.
But what about the furniture on your patio? Winterizing your outdoor furniture can be a bit of a hassle if you do not know how to go about doing it.
This blog post will give you 12 ways to winterize your patio furniture so you can sit outside as long as possible during the cold months!
How To Prepare Patio Furniture For Winter Storage
Metals
Most people think they can keep their aluminum furniture from rusting by simply powder coating it.
That’s not always the case, as Zac Bryant, Vice President of Product Development and Merchandising at Lane Venture, a manufacturer of outdoor furnishing goods, will tell you.
“Wash your aluminum patio table thoroughly before subjecting it to heat or moisture,” he says. “Apply an automotive wax for extra protection against corrosion.”
In addition to scratches – which might need additional application of car paint in the appropriate color – weather-resistant furniture is susceptible to stray stains from oil vapors when grills are used on patios that lack proper ventilation.
Mr. Bryant suggests washing these out with soap and water once a year no matter what type of surfaces you have.
Plastic
Plastic furniture is easy to maintain. It only needs to be hosed off and dried before storing the item for the winter months because it is brittle.
Fabrics
Winterizing your patio furniture is essential to diffuse mildew, but fabrics are still vulnerable.
Remember to shake off cushions and umbrellas at the end of summer every year, and keep any fabric stuffed with foam in a dry space for the winter.
To avoid black stains on your fabric for difficult stains, use bleach mixed with detergent (one tablespoon bleach to one-gallon water), but don’t use it on cotton or printed fabrics because they will be damaged when exposed to bleach.
Instead, just wash them using soap and water only.
Natural materials
Teak patio furniture is durable and can withstand the elements. Apply a specialty oil at least once a year to keep teak from fading, other painted woods will lose color outside of storage with proper application.
Synthetic wicker may be maintained outdoors year-round, natural rattan needs to be stored in a dry, dark place before storing check for damage and repaint if necessary.
Wicker Furniture
Old-fashioned wicker furniture may need more care. Make sure your furniture is made from natural or synthetic materials.
Natural wicker requires washing only when needed to avoid scratching and splintering. Use a soft cloth soaked in soap water with an oil-based soap for cleaning old-time styles of outdoor furniture, even if they’re covered in resin wicker – just don’t scrub too hard!
Can You Leave my Patio Furniture Outside in the Winter?
Yes! Outdoor furniture is designed to be used outdoors. However, during the fall and winter months, your furniture needs more than just a place in storage.
Always clean and protect your patio furniture before storing it away for the winter – even if you are storing it indoors or covering it with fabric.
The cost of leaving unprotected patio furniture without proper care can be high; not only will you lose readers, but also expensive patio sets may be ruined by harsh weather conditions which leave stains on the surface.
How Do I Store Patio Furniture for the Winter?
After your outdoor furniture and fabrics are clean, it’s time to protect them.
While leaving unprotected items like metal chairs outside may seem tempting, play it safe whenever possible.
Plastic Covers or Tarps
Purchasing shrink wrap to cover your outdoor furnishings is a moderately easy and affordable way for avoiding damage from high winds or precipitation.
However, the type of material won’t breathe. Water can penetrate the shrink wrap, transforming into mold and mildew if it stays trapped behind the plastic.
The chance that moisture will seep in increases when furniture parts come to be pointed—while points can puncture through cheap materials or they’re wrapped incorrectly, which may also lead to small breaks in them.
Covers
We have all been there. We prepare for the downfall of winter and the dust and dirt our furniture will face, but then we find ourselves tidying up springtime earlier than planned.
This means pulling patio furniture back out into a dirty backyard, re-coating chairs with fresh paint or oil to keep them looking nice in transit from one season to another.
If you invest in good weatherproof covers now instead of waiting till next year, your backyard will always be pristine because what is pulled off goes on top!
Durable Outdoor Over Cover: Quality fabric such as polyester/cotton blends with UV treated vinyl molding (how reflective they are is called “UPF” rating).
Indoor Storage
Consider storing your patio furniture in a garage or shed and use lightweight covers to keep it protected from water leaks and dust.
Plastic will get brittle during long exposure to cold temperatures, so you should take extra care when handling it.
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