As you tidy up your yard and garden before winter, make sure you add patio furniture care and storage to your to-do list. Quality patio furniture is a worthy investment, so taking care to protect it during the winter months helps you save money and keeps your outdoor furniture in tip-top shape.
Can Patio Furniture be Left Outside in the Winter?
Whenever possible, you should try to store your patio furniture in a shed or garage. High winds, extreme cold, and heavy snow will take their toll. If you’re unable to fit it all into a shed or garage, you should protect it with a weather-proof covering.
What is the Best Way to Protect Patio Furniture in Winter?
The best protection is to plan ahead in the fall before winter arrives. You don’t want to get caught scrambling in a snowstorm! Take an inventory of your outdoor furniture and space.
Do you have enough indoor storage space for all of your furniture?
Is there any maintenance that needs to be done before winter?
Do you have the proper cleaning supplies for the type of patio furniture you own?
Do you need to stock up on any supplies such as paint, protective wax, sealant, etc.?
Are the furniture covers in good condition? Do they need to be replaced?
How to Clean Your Patio Furniture
Before you pack up your furniture for the season, it’s important to clean it up and take some basic steps to protect it, even though it may get a bit dusty while in storage. If you clean it and cover it, it will come out ready for summer enjoyment—without a lot of elbow grease required. Here’s a quick clean-up guide for your patio furniture:
Plastic can be cleaned with basic soap and water.
Run canvas or fabric covers through the laundry on the gentle cycle, and air dry.
Enamel aluminum should be cleaned with a non-abrasive cloth or sponge to prevent scratching.
Wrought iron or metal can be cleaned with dish detergent. Remove rust with steel wool and consider a fresh coat of paint.
How to Coat and Seal Patio Furniture
In order to protect materials such as teak, cedar, or metal, you may need to take a few extra steps to coat or seal it. Apply a layer of paste wax on metal and aluminum to prevent corrosion. If your patio furniture is made of wood, apply a waterproof sealant or teak oil. A sealant will ensure your wood furniture won’t absorb water, which will warp it and cause damage over time. You can also check the wood for anything that needs to be sanded and refinished.
Patio Furniture Repair and Maintenance
Check over your patio seating for any wear, tear, and obvious damage before you put it into storage for protection over winter. You may be able to tackle some of the repairs and maintenance on your own, and if you’re looking for replacement patio furniture, parts, or supplies, we can help! Here are a few things to look for:
Anything that needs a fresh coat of paint.
Check chairs and loungers to see if the vinyl strapping needs replacement or tightening.
Damaged or outdated fabric or canvas that needs replacing.
Chair glides that have worn out or disappeared.
Lounge chair slings that have been discolored from the sun or damaged from use.
How to Cover and Store Patio Furniture Over Winter
Now that you’ve taken steps to protect and repair your patio furniture, it’s time to store it away from the harsh winds and cold of winter. Make sure everything has a weatherproof cover that fits over it properly. The cover protects from dust, mice (and other critters looking for shelter inside the cushions) and weather damage. If you can, store the covered items in a garage, shed, or even your basement. If you can’t fit all of it into those spaces, a covered area like your deck or patio will also offer some protection from the wind and snow—some protection is better than none.
If you’re looking for more tips on how to care for your patio furniture in Allentown, come visit us! We have a huge selection and all the knowledge you need on how to take the best care of your investment.