How to protect outdoor furniture for winter?

Creating a pleasant outdoor environment will make homeowners feel more pleased and calm. Therefore, preserving your furniture in good shape while designing your outdoor patio is vital. As we prepare for the harsh winter months, we must remember there is more to do than simply decorate our homes for the holidays.

Keeping outdoor furniture looking good and surviving longer requires some maintenance, so understanding how to protect your patio furniture during the winter months is critical. Winterizing your outdoor space ahead of time as a transitional measure into the colder seasons might save you even more time and money.

4 ways to protect your patio furniture in the winter

1. Use plastic wrap or tarp

Plastic shrink wrap is a simple and popular technique to protect your outdoor furniture. You may either buy the plastic wrap and wrap it yourself or hire a staff to do it for you. Keep in mind that plastic is not breathable. This means that if water passes through, it will have nowhere to go. Mold and mildew are frequently the result of trapped water. 

Using a tarp will result in the same breathability issue as plastic wrap. The water that may enter will be unable to evaporate. To avoid this, attach the tarp with many bungee cords or ropes. Make sure you don't use a tarp that is too large; otherwise, it will catch air and blow off your furniture. 

2. Outdoor Furniture Covers

Winter patio furniture covers ensure that rain, snow, ice, road salt, and debris do not destroy your outdoor furniture throughout winter. You can also keep your furniture in your yard, making preparing for winter easier and less unpleasant.

To eliminate mold and mildew, select a cover made of breathable fabric with mesh vents. Ensure a 1-2 inch gap between the cover's hem and ground. This will improve air circulation and allow moisture to evaporate.

Keep an eye on your furniture during the winter and remove any snow or water that accumulates on the cover. Standing water is more difficult to evaporate, and the risk of mold increases.

3. Moving outside furniture to a garage, shed, or storage room

Moving your furniture indoors is the best option, according to Knapp. If you have limited storage space, stack your furniture to make greater use of it. If you don't have a place to store it on-site, Knapp recommends renting a storage container. Yes, it is an additional expense. But you've already spent money on outdoor furniture, and you'll want to use it for another season.

4. Move the cushions in, leave the frame behind

If the weather falls below freezing where you live, it is recommended to bring the cushion indoors for the winter. The frame can be kept outside and protected.

If the cushion cover is removable, clean it according to the label's instructions. If not removable, spot clean. Here's how you can clean your outdoor furniture and cushions. In any event, dry the cushions fully before placing them in a box or plastic bag.

People also want to know

How do I clean my outdoor furniture?

The first step in understanding how to protect your patio furniture over the winter is learning how to clean it. There are several ways to clean patio furniture, but each process is specific to the material used. After washing the furniture, it may be advantageous to apply a coating or sealant to specific materials. This will help protect the furnishings from cold weather, rain, and snowfall.

Wood's Furniture 

Wood furniture must be sealed to keep moisture out of the cracks and ridges. If moisture gets in, it can freeze when the temperature drops, causing the wood to break. 

Using furniture oil and protective coatings can help keep this from happening. Before applying sealants, you should carefully clean your furniture. To clean the wood, simply: 

Mix warm water with a few drops of oil-based soap.
Scrub gently with a soft brush or rag, following the grain of the wood. Allow to air dry or use a towel. After your wood furniture has dried, you can begin any springtime preparations, such as sanding, painting, or staining. This is also when you'll apply your wood furniture oil or sealer. 

The Teak's Furniture

Teak is a form of wood furniture that requires special care when cleaning. It is more weatherproof and robust, although it frequently draws mold and mildew. To clean teak furniture properly, follow these steps:

• Combine 1 cup vinegar and 1 gallon warm water.
• Scrub the wood with a soft brush.
• Allow it to rest for 15 minutes before rinsing.
• Allow to air dry or dry with a towel.
• To keep your teak furniture in good condition, use Linseed or Tung oil after it has dried. 

The plastic furnishings

Plastic furniture can become brittle when exposed to frigid conditions. Repeated temperature variations cause the plastic to crack or break. Before storing your plastic furniture, perform these simple steps:

• Rinse the furniture with a hose.
• Combine ¼ cup of mild washing detergent with a gallon of warm water.
• Gently scrub the furniture with a gentle brush or sponge.
• Rinse again, then air dry or use a towel.
• Before you store your plastic furniture, make sure it's fully dry. This will keep it ready for its next appearance in the spring.

The fabric of wick furniture

Wicker furniture can be composed of natural rattan or synthetic materials (such as resin wicker). It's critical to know what material your furniture is constructed of because it will affect how you clean it.  

Natural rattan wicker furniture requires particular care when cleaning because it tends to chip over time. True rattan should be washed as infrequently as possible to prevent splintering or chipping. To wash simply:

• Add a few drops of mild oil-based soap to a gallon of warm water.
• Dampen a soft cloth and lightly scrub the furniture.
• Use a spray bottle to lightly rinse the soap away.
• Dry promptly with a soft cloth.
• Synthetic or resin wicker is generally more durable due to its UV and weather-resistant coatings.
• This sort of wicker may be cleaned simply by spraying it down with a hose. If it is extremely dirty, continue the procedures above. 

The metal aluminum Furniture

While aluminum furniture is usually rustproof, it often has holes to help drain water, which allows water to enter. This becomes a concern when winter temperatures fluctuate above and below freezing because the water within freezes and melts, weakening the frames. To clean your metal furniture properly and avoid this problem:

1. Add a few drops of mild washing detergent to warm water.
2. Clean your furniture gently using a gentle brush, rag, or sponge.
3. Allow to dry by air or with a towel. Before storing any furniture, ensure that it is fully dry.
4. After your metal furniture has dried, check for any scratches. You can touch them up with paint and add a coat of wax for extra protection. 

What happens if you leave outdoor furniture out all winter?

If you intend to leave your furniture outside year-round, unprotected, you will most likely spend some time cleaning, removing rust, resealing, and/or repainting the next season. It's better to take safeguards now and save time and work in the spring.