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简体中文 As the leaves begin to change color, it's time to start thinking about protecting your outdoor furniture from freezing. Cold weather, freezing rain and snow will affect your outdoor chairs, tables, fire pits, etc. Everything is ready now, when the warm weather comes back.
Can I put my patio furniture outside in winter?
Yes it is! Patio furniture is designed for outdoor use. However, if you do not take proper precautions, autumn and winter weather can damage your furniture. Before storing or covering furniture for the winter, be sure to clean the furniture and apply a protective sealant on it. Although it may take some time now, you will not regret it in spring. In addition, protecting your outdoor furniture in winter can save you money. Terrace furniture sets are expensive, and if they are not protected in a heavy snowstorm, they will cause irreversible damage.
How to prepare outdoor furniture for winter storage
The first thing you need to do is clean the furniture. The method you use depends on the material type of your furniture. Use the guide below to learn how to properly clean outdoor furniture based on the type of material.
Wooden furniture (not teak)
Moisture is the biggest enemy of wooden furniture. If it is not sealed, moisture will seep into cracks and ridges. When the temperature drops, the moisture freezes, causing the wood to crack. You can use furniture oil and protective sealant to prevent this.
Before using any sealant, clean your furniture thoroughly. Mix warm water with a few drops of oily soap. Use a soft brush or rag to gently scrub in the direction of the wood grain to avoid scratches.
Use the following methods to combat stubborn stains:
1 cup ammonia
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
1 gallon of warm water
Use a soft brush to scrub the stain and rinse it off. Avoid letting it get too wet (do not use a hose) so that it has time to dry completely before storage. Wipe dry with a towel or air dry.
After the furniture is dry, finish all sanding, painting or dyeing. Do this now so that in the spring you can focus on enjoying the outdoors instead of refurbishing your furniture.
Rub furniture oil on the surface to prevent the furniture from cracking or becoming brittle. This is especially important if you live in an area with cold and dry winters. Apply sealant to prevent moisture from penetrating into the wood. In the north, this water will freeze and may crack your furniture. In the south, it may cause mold and mildew. Sealants can also prevent fungi and parasites, helping your furniture to be used for many years.
Teak furniture
Teak is a beautiful wood for outdoor furniture, but it needs some extra care. Although it is a more weather-resistant and durable wood, it tends to attract mold and mildew because it contains more natural oil than other woods.
To clean, please combine:
1 cup vinegar
1 gallon of warm water
For more stubborn stains, use the following mixture:
1/4 cup bleach
3/4 cup mild washing powder
1 gallon of warm water
Scrub the wood with a soft brush. Let it sit on the wood for 15 minutes and then rinse it off. Wipe dry with a towel or air dry. If your furniture is left unprotected for a long time, you may need to use a higher concentration cleaning solution purchased in the store. After the furniture is dry, apply linseed or tung oil.
Plastic furniture
Freezing temperature will make plastic furniture brittle. Repeated changes in temperature will wear down the integrity of the plastic, leading to cracks and fractures.
Use hoses to flush plastic furniture. Mix ¼ cup of mild detergent in a gallon of warm water. Use a soft brush or sponge to scrub the furniture. Rinse and dry before storing.
Wicker furniture
Check whether your wicker furniture is natural rattan or synthetic material (also called resin wicker). Natural wicker furniture will shatter over time, so you need to be extra careful when washing it. Wash the real rattan as little as possible to avoid chipping.
To clean natural wicker, mix a few drops of mild oily soap in a gallon of warm water. Moisten a soft cloth and scrub gently. Use a spray bottle to lightly spray the furniture to rinse off the soap. Immediately wipe dry with a soft towel or air dry in the sun.
Synthetic or resin wicker usually has an anti-ultraviolet and weather-resistant coating to make it more durable. If your furniture is not very dirty, just spray it with a hose and dry it. If spraying is not enough, use the same mixture as authentic wicker furniture. Wipe dry with a towel or dry in the sun.
Aluminum furniture
Aluminum hardly rusts, so rain does not cause too many problems. However, most aluminum outdoor furniture frames include holes to help drain water, but these holes also let water in. As the temperature fluctuates above and below freezing in winter, the water freezes and melts, which may weaken the frame. Make sure your aluminum furniture is completely dry before storing to avoid this.
Use a few drops of mild detergent and warm water to scrub the furniture. After drying, look for any scratches and repair them with paint as needed. You can also apply a layer of car wax to provide additional protection.
Wrought iron furniture
Wrought iron is prone to rust, so it should not be exposed in winter. Some iron furniture sets have anti-rust coatings. However, bird droppings can damage the coating due to its acidic properties. Rinse it off immediately after seeing the stool.
Before cleaning the furniture in winter, use fine sandpaper to remove any rust. Wipe it clean with a mixture of mild soap and warm water. Let the furniture dry to repair any paint scratches. You can also treat the furniture with a rust inhibitor and then apply a thin layer of car wax to provide additional protection.
Natural stone furniture
The stone table and fire pit add a rustic elegance to your terrace. Most stones are porous, which means that water will seep in. When the temperature freezes, the frozen water can cause cracks and fractures.
Rinse stone furniture with water to remove dirt. Mix a few drops of mild detergent with water, then scrub with a soft cloth or sponge to remove harder stains.
After the stone is dry, apply a stone sealant to prevent stains, salt and moisture from penetrating into the pores and freezing. This is especially important if you live in a coastal area or have a saltwater swimming pool. Salt will enter the air and will become ingrained in any small ridges or cracks in the stone.
Outdoor fabric
Clean outdoor fabrics such as curtains, pillows, cushions and umbrellas before storing so that they are ready for spring. Outdoor fabrics are designed to be weather resistant and much stronger than fabrics used indoors. If you are not careful, rain, snow and ice can still damage your outdoor decoration.
Deep clean outdoor cushions and cushion covers, and then store them at home. If there is no space inside, put them in a cushion storage bag and store them in your shed, garage or attic.
To clean your parasol, move it to the shade and brush off any loose dirt. Mix ¼ cup of mild detergent with 1 gallon of warm water. Use a soft brush or cloth to remove stubborn stains. Let the solution sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with a hose. Allow it to air dry in the sun, and then close it until it is completely dry.
For outdoor curtains, please check the manufacturer's instructions. Outdoor curtains can usually be machine washed in cold water, but should not be placed in a dryer. If you need to wash the curtains by hand, follow the instructions for umbrellas above.
If your outdoor pillows have removable covers, you can usually machine wash them too. Use cold water and do not put it in the dryer.
How to store patio furniture in winter
After cleaning your outdoor furniture and outdoor fabrics, it's time to figure out how to protect them. Although it may be tempting to expose durable items such as metal furniture, it is best to be safe.
Plastic wrap or tarp
Using plastic shrink wrap is a relatively simple way to protect outdoor furniture. You can buy plastic wrap yourself, or hire a team to cover it for you. This type of protection is very popular in the northeast where heavy storms and snow are common.
However, plastic is not breathable. If water passes through it, it cannot escape, causing mold and mildew. If your furniture has sharp edges, the possibility of water infiltration increases. If you buy cheap plastic or improper packaging, the furniture may tear the plastic.
