Winter is fast approaching, and that means that unfortunately, we cannot spend time in our garden reading anymore. As much as we would be affected by the cold, rain, and snow, our garden furniture also suffers during the cold season. Since you want to protect it as much as possible, we decided to provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to maintain it during winter. Let’s see what you should do!
How to Maintain Your Garden Furniture in the Cold Season
1. Store the Cushions Inside the House
The first step you should take when you want to start preparing your garden furniture for the cold season is to remove all the cushions from chairs and couches and clean them according to their tag. Then, only after they are completely dry, you can store them somewhere inside the house. That is because you want to prevent any dampness from reaching them. The best way to store them is to allow clean air to reach them since otherwise, they might get mildew.
2. Take Care of the Parasol
Next comes the parasol, which you should also properly clean before storing it away for winter. Follow the canopy and frame care instructions. Use only approved cleaning methods; coatings and removable fabrics can have different requirements. After it dries off, you should also store it inside the house. Avoid garages or sheds where the air is quite damp.
3. Clean the Furniture Items
Clean each material according to its manufacturer’s instructions. Wood, coated metal, plastic wicker and upholstery do not necessarily tolerate the same cleaners or washing methods. Remove debris first; where mild soap and water are permitted, use them as directed and allow all parts to dry fully. Inspect joints and finishes before storage.
4. Store Furniture Away
The best case scenario would be if you had a garage or a kind of shed where you could store all your garden furniture during the cold season. If you do, then all you have to think about is purchasing some furniture covers to further protect the items, and then just put them away. For instance, take a look at this bench cover that you can get on Amazon as a historical example. Check current dimensions, ventilation and suitability for your furniture.
If you are not one of the lucky people who own a garage or a shed, then you will have to come up with another solution to maintain the quality of your garden furniture in the cold season. What we suggest you do is find a more sheltered area in your garden. Then, move the items there, use suitable ventilated covers secured with their intended fastenings. Follow the cover and furniture instructions and consider ways to make sure the wind doesn’t blow them away. Keep ventilation openings unobstructed and avoid trapping moisture or pooling water. Cover furniture only when dry. Also, if you are going to store it outside, make sure to check on it every once in a while. If it rains or snows a lot, check for any water that might be hiding under the covers and dry it off.
With this comprehensive guide on how to take care of your garden furniture during winter, you can plan storage around its materials and local conditions. Inspect it again before use.
Image Source: here.
For examples of material-specific care, see IKEA’s outdoor furniture maintenance guide. The instructions for your own furniture take precedence.
