How to store garden furniture for the winter

0
12798
How to store garden furniture for the winter - Home Guide Expert
Canstock Image

How to store garden furniture for the winter

October to January are the wettest months of the year in the United Kingdom.  With this in mind, let us show you how to store garden furniture for the winter.

You have many options with this depending on how large your furniture is and how much garden furniture you have.

Most plastic furniture can be left to the elements as it can just be wiped down in the spring.  However, if you have anything made of wood or metal, you should consider covering them.

When storing any garden furniture outside during the winter months, it is imperative to invest in some garden furniture covers.  This is the best way to maintain your garden furniture during the winter months.

If you are selling your property and your garden furniture makes your garden appear smaller, definitely put it away to improve your chances of selling it.  If this is not possible, here are some options of how to keep it looking its best and how to store each type.

How to store Rattan Garden Furniture

Rattan is UV and weather-resistant, so it pretty much looks after itself.  The frame is usually made of aluminium.

Before you store it for the winter, remove the cushions (if any) and take them inside your house.  Cushions do not weather well if placed in the shed as mold can grow on material and fabrics if left for long periods of time in damp conditions.  First, use a toothbrush to remove any stubborn debris in the grooves.  Then using the brush attachment of a hoover, remove any debris/crumbs etc.   Give the furniture a wipe down using a damp cloth dipped in soapy water.  You can then give it a light shower with a garden hose.  Leave it to dry, then cover it with a garden furniture cover.  Remember to elevate the furniture slightly off the ground so that the legs and feet do not get overly wet.  You should check your furniture every few weeks if left outside during the winter months to ensure that there are no leaks in the covering and that the furniture is dry after any heavy rainfall.  Keep the cover free of leaves, snow etc.

Garden Furniture Covers

Garden Furniture Covers

Buy here

How to store Teak Garden Furniture

Before dismantling or storing any Teak outdoor furniture for the winter months, you should wash it lightly with warm soapy water and leave it to dry in a dry warm place.  It should then be oiled with Teak Oil and left to dry.  If this type of wood isn’t regularly oiled, it can turn silvery grey.  Once it is completely dry, it can either be dismantled and stored in a shed or outhouse or covered and left in the garden slightly raised off the ground (depending on how much space you have).  You should cover this type of furniture with garden furniture covers if left outside during the winter, but remember to elevate the furniture slightly off the ground so that the legs and feet do not get overly wet.  You should check your furniture every few weeks if left outside during the winter months to ensure that there are no leaks in the covering and that the furniture is dry after any heavy rainfall.  Keep the cover free of leaves, snow etc.

Teak Oil

Teak Oil

Buy here

Garden Furniture Covers

Garden Furniture Covers

Buy here

How to store Hardwood Garden Furniture

Similar to teak wood, it should be washed with warm soapy water and left to dry before storing for the winter months.  You should oil it with hardwood oil, leave it to dry and then cover or dismantle and place it into a shed or outhouse.  If this is not possible, you can cover this type of furniture with garden furniture covers but remember to elevate the furniture slightly off the ground so that the legs and feet do not get overly wet.  You should check your furniture every few weeks if left outside during the winter to ensure that there are no leaks in the covering and that the furniture is dry after any heavy rainfall.  Keep the cover free of leaves, snow etc.

Hardwood Oil

Image of a tin of hardwood garden furniture oil

Buy here

Garden Furniture Covers

Garden Furniture Covers

Buy here

How to store Plastic Garden Furniture

There’s no denying it, plastic comes up clean after a good wipe over or scrub.  The added bonus of this type of furniture is that it generally weathers really well throughout the year.  To avoid having to continually clean it or carry out minor repairs you should consider covering it with garden furniture covers.  It goes without saying that if you want to keep something looking new, you should look after it by covering and protecting it.  Just given them a good wash before you pack them away for the winter months with a UPVC cleaner.

UPVC Cleaner/Restorer

UPVC Cleaner

Buy here

Garden Furniture Covers

Garden Furniture Covers

Buy here

How to store Metal Garden Furniture

Metal furniture can be washed with soapy water or a pressure washer on a low setting but it is always best to store it in a garden or outhouse for the winter.  Be careful though if it has a glass or fragile tabletop.  To prevent it from rusting, you can use steel wool to remove any rust then apply a metal exterior paint.  You can then apply wax to give it more protection from the elements.  If the furniture is being kept outside in the garden, you should cover it with a garden furniture cover but remember to elevate the furniture slightly off the ground so that the legs and feet do not get overly wet.  You should check your furniture every few weeks to ensure that there are no leaks in the covering and that the furniture is dry after any heavy rainfall. Keep the cover free of leaves, snow etc.

Steel wire wool

Steel Wire Wool

Buy here

This is perfect to use for preparing your metal furniture or removing excessive rust before painting with exterior paint.

Exterior metal garden furniture paint

Metal Paint

Buy here

This is perfect for maintaining your metal garden furniture.  Available in a range of colours, Hammerite Metal Paint can be applied directly onto rusty metal thanks to a formula that has been developed to be a primer, undercoat and topcoat in one.  It gives a hammered effect finish that is smooth to touch and sheds water well whilst forming a barrier that not only seals out moisture but gives long-lasting protection, both inside and out.  Easy to use, apply it on ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The Hammerite range is designed to protect the metalwork from humidity, rain and rust.

Garden Furniture Covers

Garden Furniture Covers

Buy here

How to store Natural Wicker Garden Furniture

Natural wicker should be hoovered with a soft brush attachment and wiped down with a very slightly damp cloth (not too much water as this can weaken the fibres). Once it has dried, it should be kept in a shed or garage.  If it doesn’t come up clean, you may need to use a cordless sander to sand it in the garden, repaint it and revarnish it.  Sometimes a combination of painting and varnishing/lacquer or wax is used for this type of wicker.  If you have no storage, you should cover it with garden furniture covers if you intend to leave it outside but we would not recommend doing this during the winter months.  If no alternative available, you should elevate it off the ground so that the legs and feet do not get wet.  Natural wicker can be prone to mildew so you must check this type of furniture fairly often throughout the winter months (every two weeks).

Cordless Sander

 

Cordless Sander

Buy here

This cordless sander is perfect to use on your wicker furniture.  Always ready thanks to its lithium-ion technology.  Long-life battery packs due to Bosch electronic cell protection and comes with a Velcro-type fastening for fast use.  This product comes with a free 2-year guarantee.  In order to extend the warranty from 2 to 3 years, just register the tool with MyBosch within 28 days of purchase.

Furniture Paint

Furniture PaintBuy here

Renovate and transform furniture with this furniture paint. With a classic, smooth touch, flat matt finish, it brings a new lease of life to tired, worn-out furniture.  The paint can be used directly onto wood (bare or painted), brick, stone, plaster or any suitably primed rigid surface (metal, plastic etc.).  Create a distressed look by applying two coats in contrasting colours then sanding/scouring when dry.  Protect the finish with either finishing wax or furniture lacquer.  Water-based with virtually no odour.  Exceptional coverage in just one coat. Sometimes a combination of painting and varnishing/lacquer or wax is used for this type of wicker.

Varnish

Outdoor VarnishBuy here

This exterior varnish is quick-drying and durable available in gloss and satin.  It gives long-lasting protection to all external wood, has UV inhibitors.  It is touch dry in 30 mins, re-coat able in 4 hours.  Clean brushes with water.  Available in sizes 250ml, 500ml, 1 litre and 2.5 litres.

Garden Furniture Covers

Garden Furniture Covers

Buy here

How to store Synthetic Wicker Garden Furniture

Synthetic wicker should be hoovered with the soft brush attachment and wiped down with a damp cloth.  Once it has dried, it should be kept in a shed or garage.  If you have no internal storage space, you should cover it with garden furniture covers if you intend to leave it outside but we would not recommend doing this during the winter months.  If no alternative is available, you should elevate it off the ground so that the legs and feet do not get wet.  You must check this type of furniture fairly often throughout the winter months if left outside (every two weeks).

Garden Furniture Covers

Garden Furniture Covers

Buy here

Find more helpful guides here

Outdoor Garden Festoon Lights

What is the best Garden Lighting to buy

Festive Festoon Lights

Best BBQ to Buy

Summer Garden Lounger Guide

Summer Garden Hammock Guide

Best Garden Furniture Guide

Best Way to Store Garden Furniture

How to choose the right lawnmower

Best Garden Sound System/House Party Speakers

How to stop foxes coming into your garden

How to stop cats coming into your garden

How to get rid of Ants

How to get rid of Spiders

How to get rid of mice

How to find a good gardener

This season Fence Panels

What are the best Fence Panels

How to make your Lawn Greener

How Often should you cut the Grass

How to deal with Fallen Leaves

What is Tree Subsidence and how to deal with it

What is Japanese Knotweed

What plants are hazardous in the garden

How to protect your home from burglars

How to deal with difficult neighbours

Do I need to give my Neighbour access to my land

Top ten tools for the home

How to deal with a blocked drain or sewer

How to find a good electrician

How to find a good builder

How to find a good plumber

How to find a good plasterer