Winter Storage for your Outdoor Furniture

It’s great to get outdoors over the summer months while the weather is nice and many of us make great use of our outdoor patio furniture.

But during the winter months, the cold and wet climate can often cause damage to the patio furniture. That is why you should make sure that your patio furniture is properly protected from any damage. Even if your furniture is treated to be weather resistant or is under a patio cover, it still needs to be cared for and maintained to make sure it stays in great condition. By investing the time now, you can make sure your furniture is well maintained so you will be able to enjoy your outdoor living area again in 2016. 

Clean it Up

One thing that you should always do before you think about storing your furniture for the winter is to make sure you give it a good clean. This may seem like a chore, and many people clean their furniture after the winter, but it will really help to keep your furniture in great shape. Any dirt or moisture that is left on outdoor furniture can lead to the growth of mould and mildew. This can spread very quickly and can leave your furniture in bad shape for the summer months. This is especially true for wooden furniture, which can warp or disfigure when wet. To clean furniture made from wicker, metal or plastic, a simple soap and water solution should do the trick. For wooden furniture, there are plenty of products you can buy to give it a thorough clean. Many of these are often oil-enriched and also help to protect the furniture.

Protect your Furniture

After you have cleaned your furniture, a protective coating will help to keep it looking good for the next time that you want to use it. To keep plastic furniture looking new and prevent any discolouring, you can buy a specialist wax to be applied. Alternatively, you could use a thin coat of car wax or something similar to protect your furniture. For wooden furniture, there are plenty of solutions that offer protection, but something like teak oil is fairly inexpensive and will offer the perfect protection for your furniture. For metal furniture, you should check for any signs of rust and remove any with a wire brush. A silicone sealant or something similar will offer great protection for metal furniture.

Furniture Covers

You may also want to consider investing in a furniture cover to offer additional protection against the elements. This should be particularly important if you are not storing your furniture in a garage or shed because it will be open to the elements. Covers come in a wide range of sizes and weights to fit your furniture. They also offer different levels of protection depending on whether your furniture is open to the elements or undercover. 

By taking care of your furniture in advance, you can make sure that it remains in great condition when you come to using it again. By following these steps, you will be able to enjoy your furniture for many years to come.