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Experts Say Winterize Your Outdoor Furniture a Specific Way

Pabio December 1, 2024

chairs covered in snow — How to winterize your outdoor furnitureJim Craigmyle – Getty Images

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As we head towards the holiday seasonit is important that we all have our winter projects checked off our list before the first hard frost is expected. It is therefore essential to plan the wintering of your outdoor furniture. The frost and cold weather can be particularly harsh on materials such as wicker, upholstery, unsealed wood, plastic and coated metal. Although many products are marketed as being weatherproof, it is important to determine whether protective covers or alternative storage solutions are necessary. that time of year when you need to start planning to winterize your outdoor furniture.

Winterizing outdoor furniture involves personalized care, but learning best practices for different materials is simple. Read on to discover the most effective winter care tips for different types of patio furniture and find the most suitable protection solutions to keep your parts in excellent condition.

Know your materials

Furniture made from wood, metal, plastic and upholstered materials should ideally be stored indoors during the winter, such as in a garage or shed. If this is not possible, use a furniture cover is essential. Cold temperatures can cause wood to contract and expand, leading to warping, moisture penetration and cracking. Wicker furniture is vulnerable to water infiltration, which can freeze and cause cracking or crumbling. Cold weather can also make powder-coated metal and plastic more brittle, while cast aluminum, while rust-resistant, can corrode if not protected or brought indoors.

On the other hand, if your outdoor furniture is made from polywood, you don’t need to make any extra arrangements during the winter to keep it looking new. Although it can be a little expensive, it is worth it due to its ease of maintenance: polywood is extremely resistant to temperature fluctuations, UV rays, water and snow, making it makes a solid choice for all weather conditions. If you are looking for furniture that you do not need to move and cover in bad weather, then Polywood furniture is the ideal solution.

Choose the right fabric and protector

If you’re in the market for new outdoor furniture cushions, here are two great materials we recommend investing in:

Sunbrella fabric is superb for all weather conditions thanks to its mold and mildew strength and abrasion resistance. Sunbrella fabrics also typically come with comprehensive five- to 10-year warranties, are incredibly soft and comfortable, and are available in a stylish range of trendy colors and designs.
Olefin fabric is another great option for upholstery and exterior blinds. It is a synthetic polypropylene fabric that is fade and mildew resistant. However, it can be difficult to remove oil-based stains from olefin. Olefin is generally less expensive than Sunbrella but may not last as long.

When covering your outdoor furniture for the winter, be sure to remove all cushions and save them for the off-season. Even though they’re made of durable, outdoor-safe fabrics, this will reduce the amount of cleaning you’ll need to do when spring arrives.

Put away your cushions

If you can’t take your cushions into a shed or garage during the winter, consider purchasing a storage bag or patio box to protect them. Although the cushion fabric itself may be water-repellent and weather-resistant, water can still seep in and saturate the filling, eventually leading to mold and mildew.

These cushion storage bags made from Sunbrella provide an extra layer of protection, come in two sizes and colors and have enough space to accommodate all your cushions and some extras. The stuff sacks also feature waterproof seams and a laminated TPU backing. These durable terrace boxes from Keter are also generously sized, made from weather-resistant polypropylene resin and feature automatic opening mechanisms.

Sunbrella Outdoor Cushion Storage Bags

$58.97 at

Westwood 150 Gallon Outdoor Patio Box

$183.20 at wayfair.com

City 30 Gallon Resin Deck Box

$29.19 at amazon.com

Stack your furniture

If you have stackable furniture, like dining room chairs, be sure to find a cover that can fit the entire stack on the front, back and sides. Depending on the design, you can also stack your pool chairs and thinner armchairs. Stacking your furniture allows you to buy fewer covers and save space on your patio. Just make sure the furniture is secure and won’t tip over.

Standard Size Stacking Chair Cover

$31.99 at coverandall.com

Custom Stackable Chair Covers

$105.25 at coverandall.com

Ravenna Stackable Lounge Chair Cover

$54.99 at amazon.com

Choose the right covers

Outdoor furniture comes in all shapes and sizes, so it can be difficult to find a cover that fits well and doesn’t leave large gaps for water or snow to seep through. If you are unable to find the perfect size for your furniture model brand, there are many aftermarket solutions online that are adjustable. Look for durable, water-resistant materials and warranties on covers that will keep you from getting frustrated if a tear occurs.