Garden Furniture Care & Cleaning: How to Prepare and Protect Outdoor Furniture for Winter [UPDATED]

Garden furniture brings a lot of pleasure when it’s sunny and warm outside but, to ensure it remains functioning and attractive, you need to look after it when it's not in use.

How you maintain outdoor furniture depends on the materials used to construct it, such as aluminium garden furniture and hardwood garden furniture, as well as some of its other characteristics.

Follow our 3-step winter care guide and your patio furniture, whatever it’s made of, should come out of storage in pristine condition, all ready for you to use next year.

Editor’s Note [30.11.24]:
Our original article “Garden Furniture Care Over Winter” was originally published on October 29, 2019. Today has seen a range of general updates throughout the existing content.

A definition of winterise:

“To prepare something so that it can be lived in or used in winter, or so that it remains in good condition and can used again after the winter.”

Source: Cambridge English Dictionary

Winterising your garden furniture is crucial to protect it from the weather, extend its life and keep it looking good. In the winter months, your garden furniture is exposed to freezing temperatures, snow and ice which can damage the materials and structure. By winterising your garden furniture you can prevent damage, reduce maintenance and keep it in good condition for the next outdoor season.

Some benefits of winterising your garden furniture:

• Extending furniture lifespan - by protecting your garden furniture from the elements you can extend its life and save money in the long run
• Maintaining the appearance and functionality of the furniture - winterising ensures that your garden furniture remains attractive, functional, and ready for use when the warmer months return
• Preventing snow and ice damage - freezing temperatures and moisture can cause cracks and damage. Proper winter garden maintenance will protect your furniture from these harsh conditions
• Protection against weathering and fading - the elements can cause your garden furniture to fade and deteriorate. Winterising will preserve the natural colour and finish
• Reducing mould and mildew risk - moisture can cause mould and mildew growth which can be hard to remove and damaging to your furniture. Winter garden maintenance will keep your furniture dry and mould-free

Our garden furniture care guide is split into the following three steps:

• Step 1: Cleaning furniture outdoors and maintenance before storage
• Step 2: Storage ideas to protect outdoor furniture
• Step 3: Winter Garden Maintenance and Monitoring

Step 1: Cleaning Furniture Outdoors and Maintenance Before Storage

Cleaning garden furniture is essential as a part of any routine maintenance schedule. Below we provide cleaning advice for wooden furniture, synthetic rattan, metal, and plastic, as well as cushion covers, and parasols.

You should clean wooden garden furniture (such as wooden benches and tables) with a mild detergent, washing up liquid, or a specialised wood cleaning product mixed with warm water. This applies to both softwood furniture (e.g. pine) and hardwood furniture (e.g. oak and teak furniture). Maintaining the natural colour of the wood is crucial for preserving its appearance and durability. Proper care prolongs the furniture's aesthetic appeal.

If it’s untreated or dip-treated then now is a good time to apply its annual coat of exterior wood preservative.

Firstly, use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove any dust or debris from between the rattan weaves.

After that, wipe the rattan furniture down with a damp cloth and leave it to dry.

Aluminium and powder-coated steel furniture will not rust, so is relatively easy to clean with a garden hose and can be protected with a water-resistant cover when not in use.

For aluminium garden furniture, use a mild soap solution and a soft cloth for cleaning. During harsh weather, store it in a dry place or use a weatherproof cover to protect it from the elements. If there is any ingrained grime then use warm, soapy water and a soft brush to scrub it off.

Other types of metal outside furniture may develop rust. If this is the case, you should remove it before cleaning.

Commercial rust removers, white vinegar or a mixture of baking soda and clean water are 3 popular ways to achieve this. Powder-coated aluminium and steel furniture is less prone to rust but still check for any scratches or chips in the coating that could expose the metal to rust.

Once the metal furniture is clean make sure it is completely dry before storing. Any moisture left on the surface can cause rust to form in uncoated areas or where there are scratches. Use a soft dry cloth to wipe it down or let it air dry in direct sunlight. Drying thoroughly is key to preventing water spots and extending the life of the metal.

Plastic patio furniture is exceptionally easy to clean.

Use damp, soapy water and a sponge to remove the dirt, with an old toothbrush to get in between the nooks and crannies.

After that, rinse the surface thoroughly and then dry it with a soft cloth before covering it with a water-resistant fabric for protection.

You should clean garden cushions and covers in line with their care instructions, which can be found on the labels.

Most of them can be put in the washing machine but, if not, a damp cloth and cold water should suffice.

Parasols are best cleaned with a damp sponge.

They should then be left to dry in the sun before you store them away.

Like with any fabric, make sure all cushions, covers and parasols are thoroughly dry before storage, or they are likely to develop mildew. Many outdoor fabrics are mildew and mould resistant but damp conditions can still cause mildew over time if not stored properly.

Step 2: Storage Ideas to Protect Outdoor Furniture

Store your furniture away safely as a strategy to protect outdoor furniture, we provide some thoughts below.

Even if your patio furniture is weatherproof, it is best not to expose it to harsh winter conditions unnecessarily, especially when it can easily be stored in your shed, garage or other garden building.

Fold up your garden table and chairs, neatly stack them in your garden building, and place a water-resistant dust cover over the top for added protection. Ensure these covers are weather resistant and tied down to prevent wind damage. Weather resistant covers will protect against moisture, UV rays and dust and tying them down will keep them intact in windy conditions.

Where this type of undercover storage is unfeasible, use a water-resistant cover to protect your outdoor furniture in the garden. Breathable covers are recommended as non-breathable covers can trap moisture and cause mildew or rust.

Firstly, ensure that it is situated on a patio or similarly hard surface.

If you leave it on your lawn, then it will encounter far more moisture and probably damage the grass too.

Once it’s in a suitable position, place the cover over the top of the furniture, ensure there’s sufficient room for air to circulate, and then tie the cover down.

If your cover has eyelets, then it should be simple to secure.

If not, then either use bricks or place the bottom of the cover underneath the garden furniture legs.

This should prevent it from blowing away in windy conditions.

It is always better to cover garden furniture items individually, rather than using one large cover.

This way, the covers are more likely to remain in place and, if one does happen to blow off, it’s far easier to rectify.

Once clean and completely dry, store all these items indoors in a cool, dry place.

Don’t be tempted to put them in the shed or garage, either of which could be damp.

Step 3: Winter Garden Maintenance and Monitoring

Most garden furniture requires proper winter garden maintenance to extend its lifespan.

If the furniture has got wet and dirty, be sure to clean and dry it thoroughly before readjusting or replacing the cover.

In short, taking care of your garden furniture in the winter is key to its longevity and getting it in great condition for the warmer months. Garden furniture care involves cleaning materials like wooden garden furniture, rattan garden furniture, metal garden furniture and more. Each material needs specific attention to cleaning and protecting from moisture, dirt and UV damage.

Storing your outdoor furniture in a dry, sheltered area or covering it will prevent rust, mould and wood rot. For cushions and other accessories store them indoors to avoid damage from damp conditions or in specialist outdoor cushion storage. Regularly check on your stored furniture to catch any issues early and prevent deterioration. By following these steps your patio furniture will be ready to use again when the sun comes out, with minimal effort. With a bit of attention now you will be enjoying your furniture for years to come.

Do you have any questions about protecting your garden furniture this winter? Our team is here to help. Whether you need advice on how to look after wooden garden furniture, or metal outdoor furniture we can help.