Covering the Winter Patio Basics

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curved-sectional-sunbrella-coverThe weather is starting to cool down. The air is getting crisper. Staying outside for long periods of time doesn’t feel as comfortable without 12 layers of clothing and a small fire going. Yes, winter is quickly approaching and snow is on the horizon. We have the option of moving all of that furniture indoors, but heaving it all back and forth doesn’t sound like our idea of a good time. Even though most patio and backyard furniture is designed to remain outdoors, there are still certain precautions that should be taken in order to preserve your precious furniture for years to come.

Treat According to Material/Framework
The beauty of patio furniture is that like real indoor furniture, it comes in all types of shapes, colors, sizes, and materials. The different options we have for patio furniture means we can really customize our backyards to the style that we like. It also means that we are faced with understanding how to care for each type of framework and material. Metal, like aluminum and steel need preventative rust care as they are more prone to natural rusting over time. Natural materials like teak and wood need a simple oil covering, but their durability makes them able to last the winter outdoors. Plastic is the most low-maintenance of all materials, as it just needs a simple hosing down to clean.

Cover Your Furniture
After you have vacuumed and dusted off the cushions, removing any seasonal debris that has already tried to take up residence in the seats of your chairs, you should cover your furniture. Breathable fabrics for your outdoor sectional covers and other patio furniture are perfect for this time of year as it helps to air out the furniture while also preventing further debris to fall on the furniture. Decaying debris can leave hard to remove stains on your cushions, ruining it or causing costly cleaning repairs.

Store Properly
Last but not least, once it is all said and done, the furniture is cleaned and covered, it is time to begrudgingly usher in the end of summer and store your patio furniture accordingly. Store frames right side up to help remove any residual moisture. This prevents water that is trapped inside the frames from freezing over the winter and ruining the furniture from the inside out. Most patio furniture is made to withstand staying outdoors, but others like mosaics and plastics need to be stored indoors to also prevent cracking, and the dislodging of pieces.

We’re all sad to see summer go. Grills are being replaced with fire places and cold drinks with hot teas. None of us are ready to let it go. With these preventative measures for your patio furniture, your outdoor sets will be as good as new when summer comes back before you know it.