How to Store Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture is an excellent investment for enjoying your patio and getting some fresh air while you relax at home. It’s like having an extra Living Room, Dining Room and Playroom!
But when winter comes, you need to know how to store outdoor furniture to protect it for future seasons. Understanding the basics of patio furniture and storage can dramatically extend the lifespan of your items, preventing issues such as rust, mold, cracking, fading, and pest infestations.
Stop & Stor offers a step-by-step guide for storing outdoor furniture to save yourself money and maintenance work later on.
Step 1: Clean Everything Before Storing Outdoor Furniture
A thorough cleaning to remove dirt, pollen, stains, and moisture is essential before learning how to store outdoor furniture for winter.
For wood furniture, wash your pieces with mild soap and water. Allow the wood to dry completely, and then apply a sealant or oil to prevent cracking. Remove rust on metal furniture with a wire brush before using a rust inhibitor or protective spray.
Mild soap and a soft cloth are effective for cleaning plastic and resin furniture. You can vacuum the crevices of wicker and rattan furniture, and then wipe it down with a slightly damp cloth.
If you’re wondering how to store outdoor cushions, remove them, if possible, to clean them in a washing machine. Remove the covers, if possible and wash them as directed. Spot clean non-removable covers with a fabric-safe cleaner.
Step 2: Decide How to Store Outdoor Furniture for Winter
The best approach for how to store patio furniture is generally indoors when possible in a shed, garage, or for the absolute best results, in a self-storage unit, like the ones we rent at Stop & Stor. In New York's extreme climates, indoor environments for storing outdoor furniture are highly recommended, and is a very smart decision.
Avoid storing plastic, resin, or glass pieces in freezing temperatures, as these materials can become brittle and shatter in the cold. If you don't have indoor storage, place items in a covered outdoor space, such as under an awning. You can keep pieces off the ground with pallets or risers and stack them to maximize space.
Step 3: Use Protective Covers on Your Furniture
For an added layer of defense, use waterproof and UV-resistant fabric covers on your outdoor furniture. Choose breathable designs to prevent moisture and mold from being trapped inside.
You can also look for sloped covers to allow rain and snow to slide off instead of pooling up. Meanwhile, covers with straps and buckles will ensure a snug fit, providing wind protection.
Step 4: Separate Outdoor Cushions and Pillows
Another of our ideas for storing outdoor cushions is to place them in breathable fabric storage bags or bins with silica gel packets to absorb moisture. Only vacuum-seal your cushions to save space if they are completely dry and free from moisture.
Step 5: Inspect Patio Furniture and Storage Areas Periodically
After storing outdoor furniture, check on it every once in a while to assess its condition.
Brush off snow, ice, and leaves, and tighten straps that have shifted with the wind. Never let heavy snow accumulate on stored furniture, as the extra weight can cause warping and bending.
Step 6: Prepare Your Furniture for Use in the Spring
Now that you’ve learned how to store garden furniture, it will be ready for spring when warmer weather arrives.
Remove the furniture covers and inspect everything for possible damage. Perform a light cleaning to freshen everything up, touching up wood, repainting rust spots, and replacing cushion inserts as needed.
FAQs About Storing Outdoor Furniture
Can I leave outdoor furniture outside all winter?
Storing outdoor furniture inside is best, but if it must be outside, cover it adequately. Wood and fabric will likely begin to deteriorate in the cold, which is why we recommend our protected facilities.
How do I prevent mold on cushions?
Ideas for storing outdoor cushions to prevent mold include thoroughly cleaning and drying them, and then placing them in breathable storage bags with moisture absorbers.
Are tarps safe to use instead of covers?
Tarps can be used temporarily or in a pinch for storing outdoor furniture, but only if they are secured tightly and properly vented to prevent moisture buildup.
What’s the cheapest way to store patio furniture?
If you’re on a tight budget, you can clean, cover, and stack your outdoor pieces under a covered porch or deck using pallets and tarps. But if you’ve invested a lot in your outdoor space and want to keep it looking great and providing you with years of use, you really should look into a seasonal self-storage space.
You can find the very best deals on storage units near you with rates Guaranteed Locked for a Full Year, by visiting our Hot Deals program.
What size unit should I get for my outdoor furniture with Stop & Stor?
Many of our customers successfully figure out how to store outdoor furniture in our 5x10 and 10x10 storage units. However, the amount of space you’ll need will depend on how stackable your pieces are.
How does outdoor furniture storage work with Stop & Stor?
When you rent a unit with us, simply clean, disassemble (if needed), and transport your outdoor furniture to our facility. We offer flexible month-to-month renting and a free truck rental program if you need help getting them to your unit.
Keep your possessions safe and secure during the entire phase of your home renovation by seeking out storage units in NYC. Here at Stop & Stor, we have a wide range of storage unit sizes. We offer small 25 square foot units that can hold a few furniture pieces as well as large 300 square foot units that have enough room to hold all the possessions from a 3-bedroom house. Find an available unit today to learn about all of our storage solutions so you can free up space in your home until the construction is complete.
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