When summer comes around there’s nothing better than a quality set of outdoor furniture. How else can you turn your backyard or patio into an outdoor living room, allowing you to entertain your friends and spend relaxing nights under the stars? But summer invariable turns to winter, and when that happens it’s time to take care of our outdoor furniture so that it will live to see another midsummer night.
There are two basic steps when it comes to taking care of your outdoor and patio furniture pieces through the winter: winterize them and store them. Let’s take a look at how to do both so you can make sure your furniture is in top shape for years to come.
Winterizing Outdoor Furniture
The process of winterizing outdoor furniture is different depending on the material it’s made of. Apart from plastic, which can become brittle in the winter cold, and plush fabrics like cushions, most furniture should be okay to stay outside through the winter (otherwise bring them into to a cool, dry place like a basement or garage).
For aluminum furniture, washing and then applying a thin coat of automotive wax before winter hits will add extra protection through winter. Wrought iron furniture is susceptible to rusting, so before winter be sure to remove any rust with a wire brush before treating with an exterior spray paint designed for iron.
Teak wood is durable, but will likely fade over time and exposure to the elements. You can prevent this with the application of specialty oils and acrylic paint, if desired. Synthetic wicker can stay outside all year, but natural wicker should be stored inside.
Acrylic and other fabrics used for cushions, umbrellas, or upholstery should be cleaned, dried, and stored inside to deter mold and mildew.
Storing Outdoor Furniture
If you’re storing our outdoor furniture outside, it should be covered with a heavy furniture cover and kept in a covered place. If possible, chairs should be stacked and tables flipped or turned on their side to prevent damage from snow loads. You may also want to elevate furniture off of the ground by laying down wood planks.
If ever in doubt, check care tags for instructions on how best to store your outdoor furniture. You can also check with the manufacturer or retailer for more detailed instructions.
If you’re in Connecticut, get great outdoor furniture, grills, fire places, and tools for maintenance and care from Brothers Pools in Wallingford.
